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MG MGA - Holes don't line up....

Have just popped freshly painted body back onto chassis. All bolt holes line up really well except those single bolt holes that are inside the cockpit at the front of each door.

It's like I need to pull them in towards each other say by 5-8mm which ofcourse I don't know how to do...

Idea's ??
A Stojanovic

You probably won't be able to rig up anything to pull them in, pushing is better ...

Working from the outside in -

- garage wall
- screw jack
- piece of 3" x 3" fence post
- shaped piece of wood to position the thrust.

It worked for me.

5~8 mm is not so much ( but you mean " about 1/4 inch " for a car made in the 50's or 60's )


Good luck,

Jim
J N Gibson

When my car came back from the shop after some sheet metal work and painting, I found I had the same problem with those four holes, mostly the two forward ones. The body had been removed from the chassis for painting. I did all weld repairs with the body on the frame to keep things in place, but I suspect that replacing the sills and rockers puts some strain in the lower body that is relieved when the bolts are removed. I believe the shop did rig up some method to pull the lower body together, but I don't know what they did. I don't know how you can avoid damaging the paint if you press from the outside. Let us know how you solve this, I will have to do something as well.

Cheers, George
G Goeppner

You could try installing the bottom two hinges on the A-pillars and looping a length of rope around one hinge and across to the other. Then insert a 1-2' piece of wood in the centre and twist as if it is a tourniquet. Pulling in 5mm should not be a problem......................Mike
m.j. moore

Had same issue. No problem pulling it in.
Art Pearse

Art, how did you do that?
G Goeppner

I can't push from the outside as I would risk damaging the paint and the doors are on as are the wings.

If I drilled a hole in the bracket just above the bolt hole and inserted a bolt that went horizontally then used a steel bar to lever off this to the chassis rail it might work and it wouldn't matter if I scratched anything as it will all be covered in carpet.

Art - still be interesting to know how you did your's ???
A Stojanovic

I have tried pushing in with my hands from the outside and was able get much better alignment on the inside. It would be a two man job though, as it takes quite a push, one pushing and one inserting the bolt.
G Goeppner

It seems that this is entirely normal. I have an completely rust free car reimported from Arizona. Almost 20 years ago I removed the body ready for restoration, but due to a change in circumstance had to put it straight back on to move house. First thing that I noticed was the body had "sprung" out slightly and these two holes didn't line up any more. On my recent restoration of another car last year it was exactly the same.

Together with a friend we just pushed the body and both bolts went in without any issue. There seems to be quite a lot of movement there without too much force. With the doors and wings on it might be tricker, but with the door open you should be able to push the bottom of the A-pillar without fear of damaging the paint. I suspect with an extra pair of hands you will find it straightforward enough.
Neil McG

George, not sure exactly what I did. I believe with a helper we pushed from both sides. You can spread the load with bare hands.
Art Pearse

Interesting thread!

I have exactly the same issue but had planned to slot the holes and weld 2 large washers to the bracket (effectively extending it).

My concern about pushing in the bottom of both A posts now is what effect that will have on door & wing alignment, as all this has been done without the bolts in place. I suppose that as both wing and door are fixed to or near the A post this shouldn't change.

Guess I'd better try it before I go any further!

Chris.
Chris Bond

Hmmm... I remember using a tie down rope with s hooks on the ends threw some round holes in that area. I sinched it up a little and everything went into place!
Steven Devine

This thread was discussed between 16/10/2013 and 17/10/2013

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