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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 MGA - Rear Light Bracket

Last night I drove down to Cam Cunningham's monthly MGOC meeting for a talk on Millers Oils - most interesting, thanks for the invite Cam.

Afterwards we wandered round the car car park, filled with MGs - MGTC, Bs, midgets, a shocking pink girlie MGF (the owner's father said he normally had a paper bag over his head whenever he travelled as a passenger) and several MGAs (4 I think). Also a few other vehicles including a Moggie, A Stag and a builders van (club member).

One of the MGAs was an immaculate Twin Cam. The owner had several interesting mods.

1. Twin Webbers.

2. Externally accessed quick release grille (in case of stuck bonnet).

3. Front spot light bracket mounted on rear bumber to hold reversing/fog light. I had never thought of doing that. Most impressed. Put my home-made bracket to shame.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve,
I sure would be interested in some description of the externaly accessed quick release grill. Is it possible to set out how this was done?
regards
Colin
C Manley

Colin

I could not properly see in the failing light. Cam may be better placed to answer this one as he knows the owner well.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Hi Steve, nice to see you at our meeting last night.
Colin, the grille on the twin cam has been attached by putting longer screws in the 3 captive nuts on the top of the grille - a plastic sleeve has then been slid over the screw. These 3 plastic covered screws can then be pushed into place through the holes at the top of the grille housing. The bottom screws can then be put in as usual. The grill can now be released without having to open the bonnet - but more importantly, the bonnet can be released if the linkage becomes disconnected. The twin cam owner has also cut a 1/2" dia hole in the corner of the boot floor just below the boot release quadrant. The boot can then be released by a screw driver pushing the quadrant if the linkage becomes detached. The hole is covered by a rubber grommet. The owner used to be a foreman in a BMC garage in the early 60s and often saw MGAs with bonnets and boots stuck shut .cheers Cam
Cam Cunningham

Cam

I did not understand the description last night and I am still confused. Are these long screws undersize (do they just push through the captive nuts?? What is the purpose of the plastic sleeve? How do you access the plastic sleeves with the bonnet shut?

Steve
Steve Gyles

Cam, like Steve, I cannot see how you can get at the "plastic covered" screws through the grill slats. A photo of the mod would be of great help.
Gary Lock

Steve

Do the long threaded studs with plastic sleeves on them at the top of the grille just act as locating pegs, so that only the fixing screws at the bottom of the grille are used to fasten it in place?

Interesting, but I wonder how he manages to keep the grille piping in place at the top?
The top locating pegs would need to be a really tight push fit.

Colyn

PS great typo on the word bumper, or was it a hint of jealousy towards the twin cam owner just slipping out?
Colyn Firth

Colyn - correct the long screws do act as locating pegs,so the grille can then just be pushed up into position , with the bottom screws holding it all in place - the screws are the same thread as original just slightly longer. The plastic covering is to make them a tight fit through the locating holes. I have not tried this mod myself yet, so not sure how tight it holds the grille piping - will ask at the next meeting and try to get a photo - cheers Cam
Cam Cunningham

FWIW. I drilled a small hole directly beneath the latch mechanism and put a left over plug from the firewall. Hopefully will never need to use it.


Lmazoway

This thread was discussed between 21/05/2010 and 29/05/2010

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This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.