MG-Cars.info

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

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 TD TF 1500 - Hood/Bonnet measurements

I've been having a difficult time lining up the LH side of my hood/bonnet. There is a pretty good gap at the the bottom front and back edges of the side panel. Turns out the panel is shorter than the RH side panel at the bottom. If anyone has the time could you measure your LH bonnet side panel along the bottom of the lower screw heads that hold the latches on? I'm pretty sure the gap problem is related to the shorter side panel. But before welding or buying another panel I'd like to know what the measurement is on other cars.

Thanks

Tim
TD12524

TW Burchfield

Tim, It's possible the side panel might have been replaced from another car in the past. I was told that while on the assembly line, those panels were cut to fit each individual car. I put new panels on my TF and they came in over length, I had to cut them to fit. That's when I was told the factory got them the same way. Of course your's is a TD, but I would assume they more than likely came through the same and had to be cut. PJ
Paul161

PJ, you are probably correct. My car was disassembled when I got it and the hood panels were sand blasted so I have no idea if they came with the car or not (from the factory). I was very worried that I had a bent frame but the difference in panel lengths is making me feel better.

Regards

Tim
TW Burchfield

Tim,
How did you make sure that you were measuring from the same points on the bottom of each side panel? With both the front and the back edges not being paralell ?? Having just one point a bit higher or lower could be a 1/4 of an inch difference ??

Steve
Steve Wincze

Steve, I'm using the bottom screws of the latches as a reference point on each side. The screws on both sides are 5/8" above the bottom edge of the panel. I put the tape measure touching the bottom of the screws. I think that is pretty accurate but I'm open to suggestions.

Tim
TW Burchfield

Tim,
I dont think that you can get any more accurate that that !!!!!

Steve
Steve Wincze

Steve, I thought you might have some GPS triangulation method. :-)

Regards

Tim
TW Burchfield

Hi Tim

On my early TD (0874) I have measurements of 43" and 38 3/8"through the screws.

Barry
B Bridgens

Barry, thank you. Abingdon Spares has one that's 38 1/2" I'm guessing that was about the standard size. I really appreciate your taking the time to check.

Regards

Tim
TW Burchfield

On TD3966 both panels measure 42,7" top and 38,6" bottom.
JL Nederhoed

Tim, I just measured a right side lower panel that I happen to have. It measures 38 3/8" at the line of the bottom of the screw holes. Bud

Bud Krueger

Tim,
Just measured mine and the right hand side is 38 9/16"
and the left hand side is 38 1/4".
Looks as though there is no standard size and they cut the panels to suit.
John...Sydney
J Walton

JL, Bud and John thanks for taking the time to check.

Based on the above information I would guess that no panel was less than 38". That would make my 37 3/4" an odd duck. In fact I measured the distance from the edge of the cowl to the radiator surround on each side at the bottom and the distance on both sides is 38 1/2". I sincerely appreciate everyone taking the time to help me out.

Regards

Tim
TD12524
TW Burchfield

This thread was discussed between 09/08/2016 and 10/08/2016

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG TD TF 1500 BBS now