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MG MGB Technical - New chrome grille fit?

Has anyone else had difficulties getting either the 62-69 and 73-74 grilles to fit the available space? I have recently installed one of each and it wasn't pleasant. They seem to be too big all around. Both cars had original grilles which fell in and out wheras these required bending forcing and re adjustment of just about everything to make them fit. What gives? Off shore parts tolerances or what? Is there any source for a high quality original grille? Anthony
Anthony Henderson

Sorta off subject but not.

How many folks have bought spares and had some fit and work properly and some of the same sort not work well?? I asked as I think that I am finding that our suppliers are not always any more aware of differences in the OE parts vs. aftermarket than we are. Some have OE pieces with which to compare, but I have a feeling that is not true for all parts.

The last grille I bought for my 68 GT was a a nice Tasker Metal Products replacement, and as stated, it more or less just dropped right in with some minor adjustments. However, one thing I have come to wonder about the fit of such things is the fit's dependence on the body repairs made around its mounting place, and if they could not be an influence in how any replacement fits. Just a thought.
Bob Muenchausen

Bob, this is a good point. Grille fit is one of the best indicators of crash/evidence, careful repair evidence I know of, because bonnet and wings all have to come together accurately if things are to fit properly. I bet we've all seen cars where things are all awry, and cars where say one component is "off". Too much overhang of bonnet, not equidistance of grill, one side not flush etc. Judicious twisting, bending of grille to fit is in order. My car had had at least one front end shunt before i got it, and the grill had to be slightly "recurved" by the resident expert. The leading edge of the bonnet came in for a little of this "adjustment" also. The cars were less than precision built also, so the guys on the line probably did their share of on-line mods.
Ken R
Ken Rich

My new grill fitted the aperture OK, but the RH wing was about 1" in front of the grill (both old and new) whereas the LH was flush with the front. Careful measuring showed that the error was in the wing itself, much bashing, bending and filing out of holes (pre-paint!) got it to line up.
Paul Hunt

Arguably, some might say that I am fortunate to have owned my '65 B for nearly 32 years, plus knowing the previous owner and what he replaced and what is original. I would have to say that most of the parts that I've bought over the years have fit well so far, with the exception of three items: the front exhaust head pipe, trunk lid, and a repro grille.
The head pipe was 1/4 inch off, and as most of you know it's hard enough to get that thing on even with perfect alignment. In the case of the trunk(boot), it was a good used one, but my car had sustained some rear end damage(VERY DIFFICULT to repair and align),so I don't think even a new replacement would have fit properly. I ended up repairing the damaged lid, since it kind of had more of a 'natural' fit . Really not that noticeable unless you're looking for it. The repro grille did not fit at all easily. There have been many discussions on this problem in the archives, (even a short one by me by golly), so I don't think it's necessarily evidence of crash damage if the repro needs a little hammer encouragement. On the other hand, if you have a known good original grille, and it does not fit, then there might have been some front end damage. I still have my original grille which slides in easily, while my repro has the terrible rear sharp flange that needs the pounding. Someday I'm going to have my original chrome and stainless steel grille refurbished and returned to its rightful place. Bob, I don't know if this is what you had in mind, just a few thoughts.


Bond
Bond Germain

Hi : As indicated in my first post both my original grilles fit perfectly and still do... It is the lovely shiny things from across another ocean that don't seem to fit; both are too big and in the case of my 62 required shrinking with a BFRH something I really shouldn't have to do on a new part. I agree that sometimes over the years parts have been modified, but not this time, so back to the original question-can anyone tell me where to source a high quality grille which will fit?? Anthony
Anthony Henderson



I Have just finished a conversion to chrome from rubber bumper. I had one good R.bumper wing and the other(original) was shot.
I too awaited to get the thrill of the perfect fit of the grill. but was alarmed that the wing (new chrome one) was at least 1/2" out!. Moving the wing out to match made the bonnet/wing gap crap! so in the end had to resort to gringing back the front edge , to move,fold to match the grill , then migged up, AND ground back again. Perhaps ABINGDON SAVED ALL THEIR OUT OF SPEC WINGS AND FITTED THEM IN THE RUBBER BUMPER CARS.

Ray











Ray

I had tha same problem with the grill on my 74 about two years ago, the old grill fit
perfectly but it took lots of hammering and bending to get the new one installed. It
was also assembled incorrectly at the bottom. Clifton
CLifton Gordon

I talked to a body man that used to handle the front ends of MGBs at the factory and he told stories of shaping and shaving to fit due to several factors, heat distortion, twisted during moving, falls before installation etc. Guys used to braze or "ding" their initials in panels when they had a chance and then he would rework the panel before installation. It would not be noticable now unless the panel is stripped of paint, etc. He also once used to work on Bugeyes, "frogeye sprites" as he called them. He still has bruise damage to his upper leg muscles where he would pick up the front end (one piece) and carry it from one area of assembly to the other. The center "nose" would rest on his legs and he would place his hands in the headlight holes to lift. Anyway, it shows that many things could have and probably did happen at the plant. He told me which location he worked at but I've forgotten. I'll ask again if anyone is interested in more info.
kids1

This thread was discussed between 25/05/2002 and 26/05/2002

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