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MG TD TF 1500 - TF1500 rad shell to bonnet clearance

The front of the bonnet sits 1" higher than the side panels. The bonnet sits neatly on top of the shell. The side rad brackets locate tightly against the side panel brackets. I've recently TWICE taken the rad/shell out, the 2nd time to try and understand why there should be this unsightly gap. I fitted MG Octagon supplied rubber washers between the base of the shell and the cross member. Any ideas anyone?
M J Gibson

Any photos of it? Something is definitely wrong. Photos help at times. PJ
PJ Jennings

Just out of curiosity, did you install the lower bracket in backwards?
PJ Jennings

Just so you know what Paul meant.



Christopher Couper

Are the front wings attached? One screw on each wing goes through the wing, through the side panel, through the radiator grille shell, and into a nut welded to the inside of each radiator panel. A second screw goes through the wing, grille shell, and into a nut welded to the radiator panel. A bolt attaches the front of the wing to the chassis dumb iron. When attached, I don’t see how the side panels or wings can be an inch too low.

The front bonnet latch could raise the bonnet an inch above a side panel if not latched but that would prevent it from sitting neatly on the shell.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

Also the side panel to rad bracket would not fit ?
Photos definitely needed.
Ray TF2884
Ray Lee

MJ,

I am sure you know this point,that the rubber washers(with steel band) go with one under each radiator saddle stud (2) and another two(2) are placed under the chassis/radiator support cross member where the studs come through.

I have seen one or two TFs where the owner placed BOTH
washers on the top of the radiator support cross member. This can make fitting the side engine panel to nicely meet the bonnet halves problematic !


I agree with Ray and PJ, photos are really needed to assist you on this one.

Rob Grantham
Rob Grantham

Thank you to everyone who has offered advice. I have now uploaded 2 pictures: one showing the gap between bonnet and side panel, the second showing the bracket on the radiator shoulder and the side panel bracket with a bolt through the 2. As I see it, these brackets are defining points. Therefore, assuming both brackets are original, the relationship between the side panel and the radiator shell has to be fixed.

The only answer I can see is that the side panel has always been short (height ways) and the only correction would be to have a triangular wedge welded onto the top of each side panel.

To answer one of my new friends, the rubber spacing washers are correctly fitted, but thanks.





M J Gibson

MJ,

You may be closer to answers for the gap problem than you may think at this stage. Before regarding the side engine panel as being too short(panel depth) you may try and have a look at a few other factors involved with the 'gap'.

Firstly,the bonnet top can come down further by perhaps changing out the raised countersunk slot head screws back to the original form. They were flathead,
Phillips Head countersunk self tapper screws.The correct countersunk is important and can be found at aircraft suppliers from my experience.

The side engine panel has often been got at by previous owners. The holes that are located at the bottom flange of the side engine panel(4 holes) have often been rewelded up and then erroneously re drilled
in slightly different positions AND angulation. Any slight changes here from original can give resultant changes to the height that this panel can be elevated to meet the edge of the bonnet top!

The 'pull down' of the bonnet top closer to the side engine panel can also be achieved via adjustment of the locks mechanism located on the side engine panel.

The chrome strip on the bonnet top can be pulled down a little to gain gap reduction. The Factory actually used pack washers between the side engine panel tabs and the the radiator side panel tabs.

I noticed quite a large swedging of your chrome radiator shell flange where the bonnet top and side engine panel should be allowed to come together ?

Hope this may assist your quest.

Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos).
Rob Grantham

TF's have a fair sized gap between the two panels, however I can see the main issue with yours is the oversized rubber strip on the grille shell as supplied by most venders. If you can find something about half as thick I believe you can get that gap down to a reasonable level.
L E D LaVerne

I agree the strip does look a little thick. Also, because of the offset above where the side panel is bolted to the chassis there is quite a lot of give in the panel. If you check "the original MG TF gallery" you will see spacers between the rad bracket and the side panel bracket.
Slack off all the wing to panel bolts, wing to chassis bolts and see how much movement you get.
It took quite a lot of jiggling to get mine lined up.
Ray TF2884
Ray Lee

"The Factory actually used pack washers between the side engine panel tabs and the the radiator side panel tabs" Interesting that those are factory. I remember those years ago restoring friend's TF. If there is movement with the other mounting holes, that will raise the side panel up. George
George Butz III

Thank you everyone for your input. I did not know about the packing washers. I now think that by (at least first) loosening the wing bolts and seeing if I can "jack" them up PLUS perhaps 1/4 to 1/2 inch of packing washers, I should achieve the neat fit I've been looking for. Perhaps Rob in Australia could pop over for a weekend to help.................. Seriously though, my thanks once more. Martin
M J Gibson

not only the wing bolts but also the panel to chassis
bolts and the side of the grill plus the bumper bolts through the wing front.
In fact anything in that area.
Ray
Ray Lee

MJ,

As part of the gap reduction, if you do decide to replace the current bonnet rest rubber, a strip can be cut out of Nitrile Sheet. Around 1.5mm in section works well. The usual MG retailers will often supply a rubber strip which may fall apart in a few years!

The Nitrile is tough and lasts a long time without fracturing.


I was in England during September 2019 attending the Beaulieu Auto Jumble and the Goodwood Revival. An incredible experience. Unfortunately with the dreaded
current Covid situation I can't drop in and say hello!

Cheers
Rob Grantham
Rob Grantham

Hi everyone who offered advice on my bonnet/side panel gap. I loosened the wing bolts and the panel bottom fixings, then pulled up the side panel by 1cm and packed the brackets with a 1cm nut. It worked a treat. Actually quite straightforward but some very fiddly nuts/bolts. Now for the other side. Many thanks to you all.
M J Gibson

Glad it worked out. Show us a picture when you are satisfied.
Christopher Couper

This thread was discussed between 24/01/2021 and 29/01/2021

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