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MG TD TF 1500 - Cowl measurement

I'd appreciate it if someone could measure the width of the cowl on their TD and let me know what it is. I'd like the measurement from the door notches in the cowl. See attached photo.

Thanks

Tim

Timothy Burchfield

Hi Tim. I have my inner dash out so a measurement may not be accurate.

Question for you. Does your inner dash have the metal bracket on the back of the driver side by the 1/2 moon cutout?

Been looking for other examples. Have found two different types of metal brackets used. Also, what number is your car?
Bruce Cunha

Yeah Bruce it does. It is the longer one. It is not an original dash. I posted a picture of my earlier original dash (51 TD) with the smaller metal stiffener and the rubber grommet in one of the threads you started on the subject.. you might want to chek them to see it. The car pictured above is TD26711.

Regards

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

Thanks Tim. I was not sure it was yours. Bill Chasser also has the short bracket. It looks identical to yours. So. Probably had two different manufacturers. Why different size brackets is interesting?
Bruce Cunha

Exactly 45 inches.
R WILSON

Mr. Wilson, thank you. I assume your dash fits well. My cowl is wider by about 1/2". Not sure how to make it smaller.

Regards

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

Bruce, I would assume that the shorter brace was found to be too weak over time. I'd really like to know what the rubber grommet/washer was for.

Regards

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

Should have said, I had a new body tub with doors fitted approx 1999 or 2000. A replacement dash front panel and backing panel were copied from the rather tatty originals, and fitted at the same time. As the photo shows, they fit neatly**, so I must assume the width of the new body is the same as the old.
** Well I think so, but I accept people might not like my non-standard arrangement.

R WILSON

Tim, I'd say that 45" is what Lazarus' was in an earlier life. On the driver's end the point is missing, so it's shy about 1/16". Right end is only shy about 1/32". These seem to have been caused by the soldering operation that takes place there. Bud
Bud Krueger

Bud, thanks. I'm putting the basket case together befor painting it. I'll see if the piping can fill the gaps on the sides of the dash. I did straighten one of the side braces that the sub dash screws to and the gap was reduce by about 1/4". 45" seems to fit right into the numbers I've received here and on the other site.

Regards

Tim
TD26711
Timothy Burchfield

Tim. I posted my findings on the bracket, the rubber bumper, the glove box and the hole in my front dumb iron to the Totally T type group in the UK.

Hoping some folks in the UK may have additional information.
Bruce Cunha

Bruce, smart move. I receive that publication. I'll keep an eye out for your post.

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

Tim:

I just measured mine. The one that is original to the car (TD 16504), and is sitting on the shelf, is 44 1/2 inches. It's been off the car (and what little was left of the original body) for probably 30 (+ or -) years - so I'm not sure what abuse it's been subjected to in the intervening time period - but it doesn't look at all distorted or bent.

The one that is on / with the new body tub - purchased from NTG Motor Services (built by Hutson) in the UK a couple of years ago - is right on 45 inches.

I'm not sure as to why the difference of 1/2" between the two - unless they were made a bit "shorter" and then "sprung" a half inch or so when attached to the tub frame???

Charlie King
TD 16504
C G King

Charlie, I noticed the tabs that the two screws on either side of the dash sub panel go in to were bent toward the center of the car. I straightened them and reduced the distance of the cowl from side to side by about 3/8" or a little more. I did have to drill a hole and add a wood screw to them to keep them parallel to the length of the car. I assume the people who fabricate aftermarket sub dash panels have some standard measurement as to where to place the screw holes. I'm going to ask Craig Seabrook of the Whitworth Shop if he has a standard measurement. That measurement along with the screw tabs being parallel to the length of the car should bring the cowl into the correct shape.

Regards

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

This thread was discussed between 03/04/2018 and 04/04/2018

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