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MG TD TF 1500 - Bumper Bolts

I often remove my front bumper and am getting fed up with the difficulty I go through (alone, I should add) to re-mount it.

So I want to replace the standard ½" BSF bolt, with a double-ended stud, which will be permanently mounted, so the bumper can be removed and replaced simply, using only a wing nut and washer.

Does anybody know the equivalent Unified or Metric bolt size and thread pattern for this bolt?

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

It's a 1/2-16 thread, Gord. I just went through that routine. Bud
Bud Krueger

Never thought of that, but it sounds like an excellent idea!. PJ
PJ Jennings

I always rest one side of the bumper on a carboard box and then finger tighten the other sides bolt, then move over to the side that is on the box and finger tighten that one too. Then bring out the wrench.
Christopher Couper

Chris:- I used to do somethinmg like that too. But I've added a badge bar and a couple of badges. The real problem however, is my 88 yr old mobility.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

Gord: Completely understand. Moving in that direction too. :-(

I wonder if towels padding two jack stands would work and keep you from damaging the badges. But I can see how studs would work the best.
Christopher Couper

No Chris, I’m going to resolve this, once and for all. Getting too old to do work on my TF. All changes these days, are meant to last me ‘till I can no longer drive the car. May sound a bit morbit, but I love fresh air motoring, and it has to be this way.

Gord Clark
Rocknburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

Seeing as the bumpers are really only cosmetic against a modern SUV, why not just slot the back bar and lift on and off.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

Gord
You're sort of stuck with BSF, there's no real equivelant thread--it'e 1/2" x 16tpi
1/2"unf is 20tpi
M13 x 1.5mm pitch would be close but 13mm metric is as rare as rocking horse droppings as once metric gets over 6mm it tends to go in even numbers
Idea
cut the head off a longer BSF bolt and make yourself a BSF/UNF stud by threading the shank of the BSF bolt to 1/2"unf
or
Some 1/2" BSF threaded rod and BSF nuts

bsf wing nuts here---

https://www.ebay.com/itm/111962099691
William Revit

... going through my taps & dies today, and BINGO ... I found a ½ X 16 BSF tap and a die. So that sort of settles things.

I'll buy a piece of ½" steel rod and make my own!! Not much mobility required for that.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

Gord, are you using one of the badge bars that has to two mounting plates for lamps? They make it impossible to get a wrench onto the bumper mounting bolt from the top. Bud
Bud Krueger

Not impossible, Bud, but I will be making spacers to hold the bumper off an addition 3/4", as I want to keep the option of (maybe some day) adding a lamp, now that LED lamps are small and easy to wire.

But I have all kinds of electrical plans for the TF. Negative ground, Alternator, LEDs. All seems to make sense to me.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué
Gord Clark

Gord,

I am part way through those electrical plans, already negative earth, added lighter socket for GPS and charger outlets for the ☎️.

LEDs in almost everything except dash lights and headlamps. Next winter I will address those.

Added backup fuel pump, selector switch and also fused each pump, after the switch.

Alternator planned, bought up lots of bits for that project but fiscal restraints from the Chancellor stalling that right now. The decent alternators run 500 bucks.

I am adding a relay and additional fusing to the horn system, my “doodling” pad is full of sketches.

Also adding a voltage sensitive LED to the dash that will reflect the health of the electrical system on an red/Amber/green basis.

Plenty left to do yet.

Peter
P G Gilvarry

If you or anyone is planning on going the alternator route, Do Not buy a Dynamator!! They are the poorest quality Oriental piece of junk out there! Go for the one made in the UK. PJ
PJ Jennings

PJ:-

The alternator I plan to buy is from British Northwest - https://www.bpnorthwest.com/mg/mg-tc-td-tf/engine-electrical/charging-system/alternator-generator-c39-c40-style-with-tach-drive-negative-ground.html

I haven't seen any testimonials yet, so buying
these is a bit of a shot in the dark.


Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

Gord,

That is the cheap Chinese alternator, run away from it. I have not read a good review.

The good alternators run $500, Abingdon has them on sale right now, they used to carry the cheap one, no longer.

Peter
P G Gilvarry

Thanks, Peter for the heads up. The alternator is in my 2022 budget. Unfortunately $500 US plus $25 shipping, comes out to $700 Canadian, and that a steep hit.

At $271 including shipping, I may just chance it.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

Gord, if you do PJ might sell you a die to clean up the thread to get the tacho drive connected.

I followed his saga as I was heading down the same route, even to the stage of gathering the bits to make a dummy regulator. Today I packed those pieces away as I am overdrawn on the 2021 budget.

Pending Treasury approval I might re-examine in 2022, or even just stick with my generator which is doing a sterling job.

Peter
P G Gilvarry

This thread was discussed between 26/06/2021 and 11/07/2021

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