MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Hood bolt thread

The two little bolts that hold the metal hood bow across the top onto the frames at either side have vanished on my car (they are probably somewhere in the passenger footwelll).

Does anyonw know what thread they are?
Dan Smithers

If you mean the chrome plated ones with wings, they are 5/16" BSF x 22. Thread length 1.625" ..................Mike
m.j. moore

No, I mean the little black ones that hold the bows that go across the top to the hood frame.

I did find them wedged in the seat so my immediate worry is over. I'm still curious what it is. It's a coarse thread.

dan
Dan Smithers

Dan

You are lucky I am still one screw that holds the bow to the frame. So if anyone does know what thread the screw is I would appreciate it.
S P Rossetto

They fell out again at the weekend.

I have further investigated - the hood bow is hollow and the screw is about 4mm diameter (a little under 3/16")

I guess that any sheet metal screw about that size will work.
Dan Smithers

Just had a look at an old hood frame. They are raised head countersunk slotted self tapping (or sheet metal) screws. The size needs to match how big the holes have become, or they will come loose again! Or of course you could weld and redrill.

Here you go:

http://www.a2stainless.co.uk/Slotted-Raised-CSK-Oval-Head_B2BC8.aspx

http://www.namrick.co.uk/acatalog/Home_Chrome_Plated_Raised_Csk_Self_Tapping_Screws___Cups_120.html

http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/p-1410-self-tapping-screws.aspx

You may need to cut to length.
Neil McGurk

Neil has it. The answer is:
#8 x 1/2" slotted raised countersunk head thread forming screws (self taping).

Now just because that's what was installed 50 years ago doesn't mean the same screws are still in there today, or that the same screws will still hold a thread. For the longer story about what you are likely to find there, and what you can use for substitute, see here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/top/top108c.htm

And while we're on the subject, I'd like to propose a pole on who has a welded top frame and who has one with screws only.
Barney Gaylord

While we're on the subject, I'd like to propose a pole on who has a welded top frame and who has one with screws only. See picture.
Barney Gaylord

I'll get the picture here somehow.

Barney Gaylord

Mine is welded exactly like the photo. The screws appear to be for decoration only. I was going to tell Dan that fact, but was not sure if he had noticed if his frame was also welded!
Peter.
P. Tilbury

I have two top frames for my '59 both have only a single weld on each side. Both frames are the early style. About half of the welds on both frames are broken and good number of the screws have been replaced.

There is a difference between the two frames. The frame I purchased last year (attached picture) has mounting holes that do not line up with the three caged nuts. The bottom hole is too low.

John

jjb Backman

Here is a picture of the other frame.
John

jjb Backman

My frame has a single blob of weld on the rear of each joint between the screws, just like John's. The car is 1959 and I think the frame is original but don't know for sure. At least one of the welds is now broken and relies on the screws to hold the two parts together as I found when one of the screws fell out.

Malcolm
Malcolm Asquith

As far as I can see there are no welds on my hood bows.

I tried #8 1/2" countersunk screws and they seem to work.

FWIW mine is a '56 car but it could easily have a different hood frame.
Dan Smithers

Barney, Add one to your list. 1600 Roadster. Nov.1959.
Not a weld in sight on the hood frame. But the screws need constant attention otherwise they come loose and drop out.
I think there is a difference in the frames depending on the year -- we had some conversations on the matter some time back if you remember about erecting the hood - and whether that has any bearing on the welded issue i dont know.
David
D C Grahame

Barney

March 1960 1600, welded bows but can't remember if there was one or two welds. Like John's mine was cracked before it was repaired and had two bolts through on one of the bows. John
John Francis

This thread was discussed between 04/11/2010 and 16/11/2010

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGA BBS now