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MG TD TF 1500 - Scuttle fitment TD

If you were to put a feeler gauge between the scuttle's rolled edge and the tub sheet metal, how tight do you find the scuttle to be against the body? I feel mine is not adjusted well and is poking too far out. Would like to get this dialed in before moving onto the bodywork phase. I'm pointing to the area I'm referring to in the picture. Thanks for any input.

B Darsch

This is not going to be the answer you want to hear but you will find that it is not a feeler gauge type of fit. You have to remember that each panel was hand formed and no two panels will ever fit the same. This applies to “timbers to timbers”, “timbers to sheetmetal“ and “sheetmetal to sheetmetal”. These cars were not RR’s and they were never intended to have such precise tolerances.
W A Chasser

Thanks W A. Maybe I was misunderstood, but I wasn't inferring every body on these cars was built to exacting standards, nor was that my belief. However, adding to your point-I'd rather have a car built to standards on a good day, not a bad day at the factory. Seeing what others have with a feeler gauge, calipers, etc. would give me a ballpark to reference. Thanks for the input-looking for actual numbers if anyone is so inclined.
B Darsch

My Scuttle is tight against the lower panels on each side. I had it off to replace some wood and welded it back together above the door arch. PJ

PJ Jennings

My scuttle is also down tight against the panels and stands proud of the panels on each side by approx 4mm.

Jim
James Neel

You might find it a tighter fit when you mount the windscreen stanchions. That should help pull it tighter.
Rod Jones

PJ, I notice in the photo of your scuttle, a hole in front of the driver. I also have a hole which appears to have been made by a PO in a similar position.
I would appreciate a clue as for what the hole was used for.
Stuart
Stuart Duncan

Stuart, Is this where the hole is your mentioning? PJ


PJ Jennings

No, the large (about 1" dia) hole mid way between front and rolled edges as arrowed in a copy of your photo.


Stuart Duncan

Hi Stuart.
On the TF this oval hole is for the windscreen wiper shaft exit.
Cheers John
J.K. Chester-Freeman

John, thank you for clarifying its use on a TF, so I wonder why a PO cut a hole on my TD scuttle, prior to me buying the TD in 1974.
Anyone with a suggestion?
Stuart
Stuart Duncan

I checked my Scuttle fit today on my restoration project. I would not say it is "tight" against the panel, but as mentioned, I also do not have the windscreen brackets on.

It appears they will pull in tighter once the brackets are bolted to the wood.
Bruce Cunha

Stuart, maybe the PO was considering moving the wipers to a less hazardous position away from the windscreen top? Lots in the archives about the inadequacy of the riginal TF motor as well.
PS the Toyota box is going well!
Chris
C I Twidle

Because of the poor quality of the original TF wiper motor, I converted an MGA motor and gearbox for my TF, it works a treat! PJ









PJ Jennings

John, thank you for clarifying its use on a TF, so I wonder why a PO cut a hole on my TD scuttle, prior to me buying the TD in 1974.
Anyone with a suggestion?


My TD had a hole about 1 inch in diameter in the RH side scuttle when I got it. Was for a radio antenna. I patched it with fiberglass on the underside and filled and smoothed the top side with body filler before the painting work. Been that way unnoticed for 43 years.
John Quilter (TD8986)

This thread was discussed between 09/09/2020 and 12/09/2020

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