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MG MGB Technical - hood replacement

hello out there.
i have a 741/2 rb that i am going to replace the hood this weekend .the hood i am using is a aamco zip out rear window type. i am looking for any info and tips to install it.i have the mg shop manual but it is not much help.


thanks
jim
ja adams

Jim, I have a 73 MGB and I just installed a new top about three weeks ago. I have worked on cars most of my life and will try to repair most anything. I have put in new interior, body work, paint, mechanical, etc. Now, I am sure some people will disagree with me, but I am so glad that I paid to have my new top installed by a professional that knew what they were doing. There are a lot of tricks and it has to be stretched, etc. Things I would never have known about. Even after watching and helping to install my top, I would still be hesitant to try it myself. For the little bit of cost (in my case $150) it was well worth the price.
Robert Browning

Jim,

there was a thread not so long ago on this. check the archives but one thing that is important is the hood be centered. take out the rear, metal retaining bar and fold the top exactly in half. place a grease pencil mark on the center point of the front. always keep this mark lined up on the center of the windscreen (rear view mirror) deviation from the center will cause wrinkles or you doors won't open correctly with the windows up. as far as how far on the leading edge to glue, i placed the top on the car first with the sticks in their full extended position. then, i flipped up the rear bar. took my best guess as to the average of the two and drew a line across the width of the front of the fabric in a slight curve to mimmic the curve of the winscreen. There's a lot more to the process and often through the trying affair, my wife's mantra was to take it to a shop. not!! in the end, it worked though i'm not sure i would want to do it again in the near future. don't be afraid to walk away for a while. fit properly, the header rail to the car before any fabric work is done. it the rail fits poorly before work begins, it'll look poor in the end. keep it fun
Paul Hanley

Porter has a very comprehensive section on top replacement in 'Guide to Purchase and DIY Restoration of the MGB' republushed as 'The mgb restoration Manual'.
Paul Hunt

thanks for all the tips and ideas. put the hood on this weekend and
it looks great.

jim
ja adams

This thread was discussed between 28/11/2003 and 02/12/2003

MG MGB Technical index

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