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MG MGB Technical - Scuttle vent removal?

Hi,

New to the site, in midst of a mild 'resto' on a 1972 mgb roadster. Just stripping the shell for a respray.
Can anyone advise how to get the scuttle vent off?

Is it held on with bolts or clips (like the badges)

The only access I can find to the underside is through the fresh air vents- is there another 'route'? behind the heater in the engine bay?

I have the car stripped down to bare everything except dash - screen is off and loathed to remove all the dash, but may bite the bullet as the 'flecked' paint is very poor.

All advise gratefully recieved.

Failing that there will be a 'new' scuttle vent for sale soon.

Thanks

Tony



Tony Coward

I've never removed mine, but I was looking through the archives the other day and it would appear that it just pulls off.
Dave O'Neill 2

Pegs on the underside simply press into plastic sockets which in turn are inserted into holes in the body. It should be possible to gently lever upwards to remove. Sometimes adhesive/sealer is used on these items because the holes do not line up correctly and the plastic sockets are damaged on assembly. In this case use a heat gun/hair dryer then lever it out.
jim soutar

Thanks all, appreciated- heading out to garage to find out.

Just spent last hour fitting the bootlid and getting all the catches etc to line up.

Will report back in a wee while.
Tony Coward

Plastic sockets are supplied for refitting, and they just push on and push off with those. However the original fitting was a spring-clip that tends to tighten as you try to pull the grille up, hence the difficulty in removing that type. make sure the holes are large enough for the plastic sockets to be pushed in after the respray, i.e. drill the hole out to clear existing paint before adding new.
PaulH Solihull

On my 1972 GT indeed they are little steel clips that as Paul writes will tighten as you pull. I gave up in the idea of pulling it off 'just to see'! But I reckon one might make a thin angled 'blade' type tool to slip in under the nut, for want of better words then 'wriggle it off from the top access?' Mike
J.M. Doust

Tony

When you do get it off the new one is straight,but the scuttle has a slight curve on it.
The ends stick up and look a dog.
Put the new one on your knee and give it a slight bend so it fits with the body before you put the little plastic condoms in the holes.
The grill will never fly off so only put 2 of the condoms in to attach the grill so it is easier to remove again if needed.

Ste
Ste Brown

On refitting, mine is in place sans the 'plastic' feet and seems quite happy to sit in place. Other than a solid accident impact or turning her over, I imagine it will continue to sit quite happily in place.

If you are wedded to fitting the feet, Paul's point is valid. Test fit the feet to the holes first, test your ability to install and remove them. Remembering, when filled by the pegs they will have little 'give' and will be tighter through those holes. If in doubt, carefully relieve the receiving holes just enough to allow fitting and subsequent removal should you need to do so. I chickened out and refitted as I have described, rather than potentially expose bare metal to water (rust!) by removing paint layers.
Regards
Roger
Roger T

Can't help thinking Ste's problem is a poor reproduction. I replaced mine and it sits flush with the panel, but then it was 20 years ago.
PaulH Solihull

Paul
Thats the point, they are terrible now unlike 20 even 10 yrs ago and are getting worse.
I even ordered my boot oct badge from usa because they are better quality.

Ste
Ste Brown

This thread was discussed between 15/06/2011 and 17/06/2011

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