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MG MGA - Battery Box Cover Seal

Does the MGA Roadster battery box cover have felt seals along the underside right and left sides?

I know there is a rubber seal that goes along the rear plywood. I can't find evidence of a seal in any reference material, but I think I may have seen them before? Thanks!

Safety Fast!
Rick Gregg
Elkhorn, NE
Rick Gregg

Rick, there is a rubber-section seal running along the edge of the plywood back board. It only seals the forward edge of the metal cover. There is nothing to seal between the cover and the body panel around the Zeus clips.
I have sealed, (on my road car - everyday driver) with a thin foam strip, and used the same material, pushed into the channel at the rear. It is essential to keep the dust out on our gravel country roads here in Aus.
Barry.
BM Gannon

I installed the optional rear shelf carpet kit in mine. The horizontal carpet at the sides lies right up to the edge of the opening, so the battery cover lies on top of the carpet at the ends making a pretty good draft seal. If not for the rear carpet, I would likely install foam rubber seal strips along the ends.
Barney Gaylord

Technically they are called "Dzus" fasteners. Coupes have carpet on the panel around the battery cover and this provides a much better seal.
Barry Bahnisch

If you're looking for concourse points, you can purchase an excellent reproduction of the original rubber seal from Clarke's Spares and Restorations (go to http://www.clarkespares.com/carparts.html ).
Ken Korey

I used the Clarke seal on my car and it does a very good job. It takes some trimming of the carpet behind the seats at the top edge to get a good fit and you have to pry up the sheet metal on the ends to get it pushed in the sides. As with everything else it seems to take all day to get it installed but it seals the cover very well.

I also have the rear carpet set but never installed in completely. I have the lower parts just placed in position. I never attached the lower vinyl flap.

Jim
Jim Ferguson

After years of fiddling with the Dzus fasteners, I gave up completely and attached velcro around the perimeter of the battery box. Now the panel does not move or vibrate. A relatively easy fix for an aggravating problem.
cjh hughes

Regarding the Dzus Fasteners for the battery cover,has anyone seen a retaining ring used for these. This type of fastener was/is common on aircraft and to prefent them from falling out when the panel was removed were fitted with a retaining ring to the underside. Wondered if this was the same with the "A"
S P Rossetto

The Roadster Factory in Armaugh PA has a cupped washer that is used to hold the Dzus fasterner secure to the bonnet of a TR3. I would think it would work similarly on the battery panel/cover as well. You mighht give them a call. They're very helpful!
Robert Maupin

This thread was discussed between 27/01/2008 and 02/02/2008

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