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MG TD TF 1500 - Timber Replacement

I find that I will need to replace the bottom main, front latch, hinge pillar and under door rail (both sides) for my TD restoration. I'm wondering if there is any significant difference in price and quality among the various suppliers...does anyone have a supplier they highly recommend? Thanks.....
Bill Reid

For anyone working on a T Series body a Google search of YouTube hutson mg body is an absolute must. You will find a video of all the wood parts being made and then the body being assembled. Hutson body parts are the absolute best and it is cheaper to buy from them than from the dealers they supply. When I was there last year they were crating up a complete body for shipment to South Africa.


Jan T
J Targosz

Bill Having just done this kind of repair to my Td. I can tell you that none of the moss timbers I have encountered were a good fit other than the firewall to scuttle and front quater pieces. The rest have been of poor fit or completely unusable this also includes there plywood pieces as well. If you need to do the plywood you will be money ahead to buy marine plywood and cut them using your originals as patterns.

I seriously recommend that when you get the pieces out that you consider using a epoxy product called QuikPoly and reuse your old timbers. No matter how bad you think they are. I have no affiliation with this product other than an end user and was quite satisfied with the results. It is a two part product, when mixed it flows like water and will be sopped up like a sponge into the wood. There doesn't need to be cracks or holes for this to work. Can be pored over dry rot as well. It flows into the voids of the cellulose fibers and will set in three minutes time. The material can be drilled and threaded directly with excellent results. My a pillar was an absolute wreck of a piece that when treated is a much more stronger and stabler piece. I highly recommend this product.

I had a lot of people tell me this job couldn't be done without completely disassembling the tub. This is simply not true. Though the reverse engineering can be a pain. You will have to remove the firewall as there are blind screws that attach the main frame to the inner cowl braces the metal subframe has to be removed and I supported the tub on six jack stands while I R&R'd the timbers.

Though this ended up being a daunting task the QuikPoly made the job so much more pleasant and a erstwhile endeavor. The upside was I saved the original A pillar and its fitment.

Cheers

Bill Chasser Jr
TD4834
W. A. Chasser Jr

You may also wish to contact Craig Seabrook as it was my understanding he was going to run off a batch of TD wood after the new year. I am told his wood is of the highest quality
W. A. Chasser Jr

Thanks for the information. I have checked out the Hutson site and will talk to Craig. He is currently redoing the instruments and dash for me..
Bill Reid

All of the replacement wood requires a lot hand fitting and work. Search the archives and the net, lots of info there and read the Satch TD restoration book. Though made on an elaborate jig, every tub is different and was hand-fitted when made. The replacement wood is generally oversize in all dimensions so it can be fitted to any car. I spent much of a day fitting the front latch pillar to the quarter panel, gradually shaping so the curvature of panel/door gap was perfect. Take your time and get it right, it is worth it. I would get all wood from the same supplier.George
George Butz

I'm not familiar with the Satch TD restoration book....Do you have a title or author first and last name...
Bill Reid

Horst Schach "The Complete MG TD Restoration Manual".
Geoffrey M Baker

Got that one....thanks..
Bill Reid

Bill,
I replaced the same pieces in my TF with parts bought from Hutson. They were a very good fit with virtually no rework required. I think there TF and TD body tubs are very good as well but there TC body tubs are rubbish. I know because the one I bought is rubbish and unusable.
Max Irvine

This thread was discussed between 08/01/2015 and 09/01/2015

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