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MG TD TF 1500 - Transverse Brace Behind Radiator TF1500

While studying the great gallery of photos of the as-new TF1500 in NY, I slowly became aware of what appears to a transverse bracing rod running above the water pump from lh to rh side of the engine compartment. I can't see any such part in any manuals or catalogs and there wasn't one on my TF1500 7874. Can anyone shed light on this component?
Be aware that I AM overdue for an eye exam.
ref photos 051 and 069.
T W Moore

TW Moore
Go to Moss motors TF-Body Panels
Item 43/43a is two brackets that bolt onto the side panels.
Item #42 is the complete tie bar that goes behind the radiator to stiffen the upper bonnet sides and ties into those brackets..
What part of Quebec are you located. I am from Quebec but reside ifn Florida
Sandy
ss sanders

MR. Moore, Some of these have been removed in the past and for some reason never put back on the car. Just by chance mine is now off due to everything is being readied for the painter. Here's three pictures of mine to give you an idea what they look like in the real. PJ



Paul S Jennings

Another,



Paul S Jennings

And another,



Paul S Jennings

Well that's pretty disappointing: it took more than an hour for you guys to straighten me out on this!
I looked in the Abingdon Spares catalog but not the Moss one. Going to look again in both this time.
Thanks very much for the speedy response.
Does anyone have any opinions on the functionality of the crossbrace? The engine compartment side panels are tied in to the rad support structure pretty firmly. Any comments on cowl shake without the brace? I suppose any cowl movement would end up being reacted through the bottom studs on the rad which probably wouldn't be good.
T W Moore


Sorry for the delay in posting these photos, but I posted them 10 minutes after going out to the shop, taking the bar out of it's wrappings and photographing it, then downloading them into my computer, resizing them to post for you to see. PJ
Paul S Jennings

The brace stops the front wings from 'flapping'. Otherwise the radiator and shell take that strain.

Matthew.
M Magilton

Paul Jennings: my comment on how long it took wss entirely facetious: I'm always amazed at how fast people respond to forum questions.
S Sanders: I'm located in the Eastern Townships, between Knowlton and Waterloo.
M Magilton: I guess I need some new pieces
T W Moore

I think that they are helpful in stiffening the structure and taking up the weight of the fenders that are otherwise just hanging from the sheet metal side panels.
Some have advocated not putting nuts on the bottom radiator studs, which seems like it would result in a shaky structure on a TF - especially if no cross brace is present.
J K Barter




TW Moore
I know the area well having been born in Huntingville.
Please contact me offline.
Sandy






































TW .
ss sanders

SSanders
My email address is thomasw.moore@yahoo.ca. Don't know how to get yours thru this forum. Doesn't seem to be a personal mail function?
T W Moore

Hi Thomas,
see my post "line boring block". Just add your email at the end of your country. Don't forget to modify it.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

I look at it this way, if the factory put a part on a car, there's a good reason for it, so put it back! My left front fender has a crack in it about an inch and a half long, probably because my car didn't have this brace on it when I got it. Strangely, the crack is directly across from where this brace should have been. My brace I built up and restored from various parts acquired from forum members. PJ
Paul S Jennings

Took awhile before I knew I needed this fender to fender brace. This forum had a picture of one a few years ago. I made one from material I had. Attached are the details. Costs about $65 USD. I have a dimensioned of the end brackets if you'd like them. The part numbers are from McMaster Carr catalog.

Peter Dahlquist

I have 20000 miles on my TF without the brace. No room with this set up. No fender flapping at 75 to 80 mph constantly and none noticed at 100 mph although I will admit I wasn't paying any attention to them at that speed. I also do not have the catch for the bonnet on the right front as well for the same reason with no ill effects. If I did not have one to mount I personally would not be all that concerned myself.

MG LaVerne

I agree with LaVerne. I think his car shocks and wheel balance are most likely near perfect though.
Peter Dahlquist

Thanks again for all the info and comment. I've ordered a single bracket from Abingdon and with this pattern will make the second bracket (neither Moss or Abingdon has the 2nd bracket). The x-brace shouldn't be difficult, especially since I have 2 surplus clevis ends.
T W Moore

This thread was discussed between 12/08/2014 and 14/08/2014

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