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MG TD TF 1500 - Top Bows=Holes?

There are 2 holes on each side of the 3rd bow. The hole on the left/inside, goes all the way through the bow, the holes on the outside are smaller and appear to be threaded. Can someone tell me why there are two holes on this and only this bow? The smaller hole seems to line up with the center of the strap. Is the larger hole for securing the top, if so why is it all the way through the bow? As the frame work gets sanded and painted, I circled the holes for clarity. PJ

Paul S Jennings

Second shot,



Paul S Jennings

For securing the straps that run from the front bow to the rear rail. They raise the bow when you raise the hood. Bud
Bud Krueger

Paul,
Not sure how close a TD 3 bow Hood is to a TF 3 bow hood - but I expect they are close.
The inside hole that goes all the way through is on the back bow above the rear window and has a brass nut and washer on the inside. The other holes with thread are to the outside of that one and just hold the webbing strap that positions the bows - they do not go all the way through. Also look like 2BA brass.
Could it be they just made all bows the same and used the correct hole as required? I can't see my actual bows for holes as they are covered with fabric. Sorry.
But the position is clear. If it helps any.

Rod




R. D. Jones

Let me hunt through my archives to find some images. The straps are secured to the rear rail with two screws/washers. Two screws are used per bow. I think that Rod's exposed screw is unusual. Bud
Bud Krueger

See http://www.dbraun99.com/mgtd15470/Weather%20Equipment/Hood%20installation/slides/preliminary%20check%20of%20hood%20sticks.html (I'm not sure if the '%20's will let it show. It's an image from Dave's site about hood installation, Image #21. Bud
Bud Krueger

Image #29 shows two snaps (screws) being used to secure the strap to the rear rail. Might TF be different from TD? Bud
Bud Krueger

Bud
One difference is Dave's TD Hood is a two bow hood not a 3 bow hood? - Maybe that makes a difference, I don't know. I do not see any though holds in either of the bows and only one hole, as seen from the top, not two?

The Snaps I believe are a personal choice as the factory used, as I understand it, tacks to attach the hood to the wood at the rear. Least ways that is how my first TD came back in 1964.
My current TD uses screws and cup washers. Never had a need to remove it. Just fold it down.


Rod.
R. D. Jones

The attached pics show my original TD bows covered with fabric & the screw that secured it to the bows. Rod's frame is the only other one that I've seen covered. I believe the covering on my bows was the original material.

P Hehir

Second pic

P Hehir

Third pic

P Hehir

I visited a mate who is also restoring an early ivory TD today & was chuffed to discover his unrestored bows are also covered with the original canvas like fabric as shown in the pic from my car above. There are now 3 cars that I'm aware of with this covering (including Rod's) which makes me even more convinced that this was probably the way all TD bows left the factory. He is sending me some digital pics which I'll post here when they arrive. The frames also have remnants of the original side curtain buffer rubbers & the tiny metal screws used to secure them. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

The original bows on my TD had the screws covered with a "pocket" of canvas stitched over the strap. I have since replaced with seat belt webbing material - much stronger, less stretchable over time, and easily adjustable - and instead of stapling to the header, they mount to steel plates screwed into the header.

Geoffrey M Baker

This thread was discussed between 16/06/2015 and 03/07/2015

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