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MG MGA - Frame up restoration

Next week I will begin a frame up restoration of my 58 Coupe, my question is....is it easier to pull the engine first and related mechanical parts or....pull the body off, leaving everything in place...I'm hoping it's the latter...
Mike

Mike,
Before you lift the body off the frame, make any necessary sill repairs. Your coupe will have considerably more rigidity than a roadster; however, you will find it much easier to maintain panel allignment if you make sill repairs (both inner and outer) before you remove the body.
Bob
Bob Baxter

Mike, it can be done either way. A's were assembled at the factory with the engine and drive line in place and the body dropped on the finished chassis, so clearance isn't a problem except with perhaps a twin cam engine. Even with a coupe body I'd recommend adding some bracing across the doors unless the sills are very good. The photos on the Eclectic Motors web site are mostly of roadsters, but offer a good look at how the pros do it. http://www.eclecticmotorworks.com/
Bill Young

Mike, pull the body first, it is much easier. Plus you won't slip with a wrench and dent the body when trying to disassemble the mechanicals. The same goes for reassembly, build the whole chassie first. With a temporary radiator you can run the engine and sort things out with full access.
John H

Mike, if the body isn't very rusty in the rockers/sill area, it can be removed before doing any body repairs. Otherwise I'd leave it on the frame for the body work. The frame acts as a jig for location. Leave the engine/trans in place until the body is removed, then install the engine/trans before the body goes back on, as John has said. For ease of handling, remove the four fenders separately. You'll also have to deal with pipes, exhaust, steering column, wiring harness, etc but perhaps you already know that. Also, the body comes off much easier (I've found) if the gas tank is removed first.

George
G Goeppner

you probably have this covered but just as important as disassembly order is having a record. a digital camera has been a fantastic investment for me. before you take things apart snap off 100 plus pictures of everything from all sorts of angles, i have looked back at mine countless times and it has been really helpful, especially as my restoration has gotten on to 5 years.
good luck!
doug

Thanks to all once again for the wealth of information...I will be using the body off first method, sounds like the easiest too...I may even put some pics in a file and post to keep everyone up to date, and of course to ask for more help...this really is a very friendly and informative site...thanks again...
Mike

Mike,

I'm in Northern California as well. I also have a 58 coupe and have done a ground-up. Write me for any help or photos you might need. Chances are you are close enough to be able to look at a comparable car, I know this is a big help sometimes. I'm in the East Bay.

Tom

Tom Balutis

Mike,
Before pictures and turning a wrench, the first thing I would recommend is to buy a supply of degreaser and clean the car, everywhere possible. When it looks good, the second thing is to do it all over again. I have jumped into restorations and always have later said, 'Why didn't I clean this first'...
Scott

If you are going to do any repairs to the body before removing it, check the chassis dimensions first. Otherwsie you can end up with a great body that doesn't fit the chassis after it has been straightened. Believe I have had the problem! Caused by the chassis man not doing as good a job as he said he had. mumble mumble mumble
Andrew

This thread was discussed between 09/02/2006 and 11/02/2006

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