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MG MGA - Hood fasteners

Got the 6 lift the dot fasteners installed. Hood is soo tight, I will have to fasten the lift the dots first, then pull the front down.
Anyway, I have to fit the last two fasteners to the rear, those that screw into the metal corner pieces.
The old screws were rusted in so I just flushed them off and I'm hoping not to hit the same locations when I drill, but Sods law says I probably will. That aside, should I drill so that the #6 screws tap into the pot metal, or should I drill a bit looser and stuff the holes with a piece of wood? Last thing I want is the screw boken off while forcing a tap. SS screws are so soft.
Art Pearse

Drill and tap the corner piece. Beware it is aluminum (or pot metal)casting. This promotes galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals, so within a few years the steel screw will be frozen in place (again). You might consider (non-standard) stainless steel screws rather than plated screws. Definitely apply a touch of anti-seize compound on the threads. Even then there is no guarantee that it won't seize with time.
Barney Gaylord

Barney, are these self-tappers or M/C threads?
Hope you are enjoying being a nomad
Art Pearse

Okay, I take it back. Drill and screw in, as they are self-tappers. Raised countersunk Phillips head self-tappers, #4 x 1/2", same screws used to secure inner door panels. See picure.

Barney Gaylord

Given that stainless steels are generally more cathodic compared to zinc than regular carbon steels, switching to stainless fasteners probably isn't going to help much with the dissimilar metal corrosion.
D Rawlins

I think the trick is to exclude water using some suitable sealant in the hole. Then you can't get any galvanic action on the threads. Anti-seize is too messy as the corner is covered with nice leather. Maybe Vaseline. Anyway, this resto is going to outlast me I think.
Art Pearse

When I did mine I thought that the position on the aluminium corner pieces was a bad one because the LTD studs when fixed point downwards to such an extent that one of my SS bag ears pops out now and again and the ear sticks out at the top as well which looks untidy. If I did these again I would weld a small extension to the hood frame plate and fix the stud to this..............Mike
m.j. moore

This thread was discussed between 27/07/2014 and 28/07/2014

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