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MG MGA - Front Valance Panel screws

Hi all. II have been trying to research , but cannot find out the answer to my question, so once again I bow to the knowledge of the BBS.

The panel fixing screws for the front valance.... what are they? I have removed it and I removed 1/4" UNF hex head cap screws. This has been off before by a PO, and some of the captured nuts have been drilled out. Seems to me that they should have been a 1/4"UNF round head Posi-drive machine screw. But I really don't know. I now have the opportunity to make them correct.

If anyone can help, it would be greatly appreciated.
C.R. Tyrell

Mine are all 1/4 UNF hex head. I don't think the captive nuts are necessary and I have ground off the rusted ones, just will use loose nuts.
It's all covered by the bumper.
Art Pearse

Service Parts List: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/books/spl_1500.htm
Body Assembly: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/books/spl/spl_1500_r.pdf
First page, items 11, 12, 13.
AFH2587 (14 req'd) Screw, fixing panel
LZW203 (14 req'd) Washer for screw (spring)
PWZ203 (14 req'd) Washer for screw, (plain)

BMC Fastiner Decode Booklet: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/books/books_3.htm#fastener_decode
PWZ203 = Plain Washer Zinc, Large OD, #10
LZW203 = Lock Washer Zinc, nedium section, #10

AFH2587
This is the same screw used to attach bottom edge of the fenders the body sill, and the head (small diameter) has to fit inside the lower body trim strip. This has to be a #10-32-UNC round head, fillister head, or cheese head screw, not more than 5/16-inch diameter head, and it will be thick and probably slotted head. Considering it goes through two washers, the valance panel, the body front lip panel, and a floating square nut, I'd say 1/2-inch long. I'm sure this should also have a pointed tip as a body screw going into a floating nut. It is no wonder they had a special drawing number for it.

The part number has multiple applications on the MGA:
Boot lock striker plate
Bonnet lock safety catch bracket
Front valance panel
Front wing to sill
Rear wing to sill
Splasher to front wing
Boot lid hinges
Bonnet lid hinges
Fixing demister nozzle

I find a few references from suppliers calling these 3/16 or #10-32 x 1/2 Hex Head screws. But reviewing the list of applications, I could have sworn those were originally all round head Phillips drive screws.
Barney Gaylord

Here is a picture of an original,it'a a cone point with Linread on the head. I believe the original flat washer is rectangular.

gary starr

CRT, If you look at your front valance you'll see there are 14 fixing holes along the top and the outer three on each side (total six) are actually slots to cope with any front wing position variation. So these six slotted holes need special rectangular washers to bridge them. All the screws are 10-32 hex head and Todd Clarke sells a kit of plated screws, rectangular and circular flat washers plus spring washers. He also does a kit of just the hex head screws for the whole car. TC's catalogue is really a must for any questions about screws and the like. I wouldn't be without mine................Mike
m.j. moore

I retract my post!
Art Pearse

It all helps. Thanks. Fillister head screws I already have and are available locally. I can get them both in either slot or Phillips as long as I stick to UNC. Slots in UNF. Square washers..... I will make what I need there.

I think you all have set me straight...... Thanks again.
C.R. Tyrell

So the SPL is in error where is calls for a large diameter flat washer?
Barney Gaylord

Barney, I don't know if the 1500 SPL is in error or there was a build change somewhere along the line, but my 1600 SPL (AKD 1215 4th ed.) shows an additional entry in the list and has added a picture of a lozenge shaped washer to the illustration.

The extra entry is "washer - plate - for screw" AFH2546 and the quantity is 6 off. The quantity of the PWZ 203 is adjusted to 8 off and the other two remain as 14 off.
D. Dee

My car will not be Concours, but I don't want it to look like a hack job, so I thank all of the input.

The car is a 1959 1500, with what I think is an early 1600 body as the body number is 814 and does not have the "B" prefix found on the 1600 MK.1 . It does have the later frame extensions and more rounded bonnet.

Thanks again!!
C.R. Tyrell

That must mean the 6 non-round flat washers go on the front lip of the fenders. Can't for the life of me say why they should be different.

I have SPL for 1600 (AKD 1215 5th ed.) on my web site.
For the roadster it shows 14 large flat washers.
For the Coupe it shows 8 large flat washers and 6 of the smaller oval flat washers. Duh? Why would the Coupe be different than the roadster>. The Twin Cam SPL (2nd edition) shows 8 and 6 like the 1600 Coupe. I wonder if the oval washers have a bit of curvature to match the curve on the fender lip?
Barney Gaylord

Hmm... on closer inspection I had indeed opened at the RA (coupe) plate. It seems odd that the roadster and coupe would differ in that respect.

I wish this picture was high enough resolution so you could see what they were really using for washers during production.

http://www.namgar.com/images/articles/p2assemblyline.jpg
D. Dee

This thread was discussed between 02/02/2013 and 04/02/2013

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