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MG MGA - Flapping Hood

Hey all, is there a way to quite the top from flapping at speed? Thanks, Tom
Thomas McNamara


No.

Well, if it is flapping a lot in large motion, then re-tensioning the fabric may help.

Even with tight fabric it has a tendency to rumble or crackle at high road speed (general wind noise). When wind currents pull the fabric upward you can commonly put your fingers between the fabric and the #2 hood frame bow at road speed. This is when it helps immensely to have the 1600 type center latch (which can be retrofit to the 1500 car) to hold down the center of the front wood bow.
Barney Gaylord

Yes there is a way, and it is cheap and easy for the trim shop to do.

You need to secure the bow to the hood. This is done by taking a strip of vinyl of the hood colour and sewing velcro to it so you can form a tube along the bow. Then you sew the tube to the top, and join the velcro along the length of the bow. It holds beautifully and the top never drums again. I have this on my car and can drive top-up without any top noise at all.

This works even without the 1600 latch, which is the best way to stop rainwater seeping over the top of the screen.

dominic clancy

I did it the way I think that the factory did it, ie by gluing a strip of felt on the top of the middle hood bow. It probably doesn't stop the flapping, its just that you can't hear it!
Barry Bahnisch

Has anyone successfully retrofitted a 1600 centre latch to a 1500?
I have a gap of about 1/16 to 1/8 inch at the centre where rain/wind enters. I thought that fitting this latch may pull the front wooden bow down flush onto the top windscreen frame and close the gap.
Is there any way to adjust the amount of "pull"? My concern is that, when the latch is pulled down on the catch, it may just hold it in the same position, and not "take up the slack", so to speak. I assume that fitting means drilling a couple of holes in the w/screen frame for the catch, and screwing the latch to the bow. Any advice or thoughts? Thanks.

IBM
I B Morris

Ian,
Its far cheaper and easier to carry a roll of 3in tape to run across the top of the screen to cover the gap between the roof and the top rail. We don't have the centre latch either.

David
David Lake

The center latch is an easy retrofit, if you have the right wood bow up front. There were three different wood bows. Different parts suppliers sill different models, and I don't know of any supplier who sells more than one model. I suspect most of the suppliers don't know there were different models, and likely don't know which model they are selling. The original 1500 type wood bow is thinner and will or work with the center latch, but you could add a wood block or metal bracket up top to adapt it.

See details of the three different wood bows here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/top/top107.htm

If you have the second or third style wood bow the center latch is an easy screw together affair. (Did that sound right)? You do need to drill and countersink two small holes in the windscreen top frame rail. Once you get through the chrome layer the brass is easy, and it doesn't rust after drilling. Attach the latch hook to the windscreen first. Pull the hood down against the windscreen with a clamp while you install the toggle latch with wooed screws. The latch can be adjusted slightly after installation by bending the steel wire catch loop a bit as needed. It is a wonderful little updating part for the 1500.
Barney Gaylord

But don't buy the bow from Moss as they don't fit
dominic clancy

By latest experience, the wood bow form Moss is type 3, suitable for use with the MK-II canopy. It can be used with earlier tops id the ends are shortened appropriately (about 3/4-inch from each end).
Barney Gaylord

This thread was discussed between 07/04/2013 and 11/04/2013

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