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MG MGB Technical - Correct Fastener?

Was touching up some rocker chips when I noted the passenger lower fender was slightly loose. There are three fasteners with Phillips heads along the lower fender edge. I noted one was loose.

Tried to tighten it and it did not tighten, so I took it out. It looks like a wood screw. Thought this was odd as there appears to be a captured nut behind the fender.

I took another out and it also is what looks like a wood screw.

I went to the moss catalogue and looked these up and the catalog says screw and washer. Can this be correct? (http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=29037 Number 8 and 9)

Did they use a course screw to attach the lower fender?

Bruce Cunha

AFAIK, there were never Philips drive bolts ( the heads) on the MG. Those are all Pozi drive - which actually is superior.

Fender bolts and fender washer would be more correct. I'm sure Moss will sell you the proper hardware.
Max71

When I rebuilt mine I drilled through and used small stainless bolts, washers and nuts. Neat and rust-proof.
Mike Howlett

They were originally pan-head machine screws, not the self-tappers that you have there. No. 10 UNF IIRC, the same as many other screws in the engine bay, such as heater attachment, pedal box cover, etc.
Dave O'Neill 2

They also have a little spreader plate which Moss may stock. if not a cut down washer is often seen doing the job. On my car they just bolt right through, no captive nuts.
Stan Best

Thanks. Bolting right through with stainlessnuts and bolts makes sense. Easy to change these out. Interesting in that all 6 are phillips tapered screws.

So I need some education. I have heard that the MGB used posidrive, And I know the screws on the door locks and hatch hinge do not work well with a regular phillips. But my understanding is that a posi drive is a star shaped head. All of the screws under the hood appear to be phillips. No unique pattern. all are original as far as I can tell.

Bruce Cunha

Were Posidrive screws in general use at the time of the MGB's manufacture? I'm not sure they were.
Mike Howlett

Bruce, Pozi and Phillips are often confused. Their shape is different, hence why they don't intermix. You drawings illustrate the difference. Replacement No 10 UNF are often supplied Phillips, especially stainless screws. Just be careful you match the screwdrivers to screws, otherwise you may round off the heads and finish off having to drill them out.
Allan Reeling

Bruce, Pozi and Phillips are often confused. Their shape is different, hence why they don't intermix. You drawings illustrate the difference. Replacement No 10 UNF are often supplied Phillips, especially stainless screws. Just be careful you match the screwdrivers to screws, otherwise you may round off the heads and finish off having to drill them out.
Allan Reeling

I am trying to clarify the statement that all screws in the B are posidrive. I have removed every screw under the hood when I cleaned up the underhood for paint. There are a good number if screws. and from what I can see, they are phillips.
Bruce Cunha

Bruce - you've received excellent advice here. They are pozi drive. Clean them up and you'll see the star. That has no effect on the drive its just to designate pozi from philips.

Unless the PO converted all of them. Philips looking screws as Allan stated are indeed pozi drive.
Max71

Ok, did some research and found this article by a reputable British Car person.

http://www.justbrits.com/pozi/pozidriv.html

So, I do have posidrive drivers in my "odd screwdriver tips" box (posidrive is odd, but there are ones even odder). Now I need to get a the different sizes.

Bruce Cunha

Out of curiousity I read the link. WOW! I had no idea that Philips heads and Pozi were US inventions. I assumed that Philips was invented by the same name company in EU and Pozi must be a British invention as they are still used throughout the UK and EU.

Thanks for the trivia Bruce!
Max71

This thread was discussed between 07/05/2017 and 10/05/2017

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