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MG TD TF 1500 - Folding a TD bonnet back flat

Just completed fitting my bonnet and had to build up a couple of edges with solder to get a good fit. Also made the mod to the top radiator support bar fork so I can park the front corner of the opened bonnet without any damage. Have noted on page 69 of Clausager's book though that the bonnet is folded back on itself and actually rest on the un opened side. There is also a similar picture on the Original MG TD site. If I did this with mine at the very best I would chip the paint and more probably would bend up the corners. Should I be able to open the bonnet as on page 69 or did the owner of the featured TD have a row with the photographer once the pic had been taken.


Jan T
J Targosz

Jan -
I try not to fold the bonnet back on itself but for some operations like adding oil to the engine, folding it back allows more room and is less likely to get oil on the engine. For that case I carry a roll of cloth to pad the off side of the bonnet. I also have two wood strips with a magnet on the back and a notch cut in the top which will stick to the top of the tool box and hold the bonnet open upright.

Jan H
Janson Hurd

Jan T, in my opinion, it is not a good practice to lay one side of the bonnet back on the other. It puts an undue strain on the hinge supports, can scratch the paint and perhaps bend the corners. I use the same U shaped channel you describe for normal hood (bonnet) opening. I also have a length of broomstick fitted with two rubber crutch bumpers on the ends of the broom handle. When I have to have the hood open wide, I use the broom handle placed between the round loop of the rearmost latch spring and the other end down within the fender next to the chassis or frame. Works great.
Jim Merz

"Same" problem ...different "bonnet" !!!!!
Although this is one area we TD & TF owners differ quite a bit if anyone has an intrest I have come up with what I feel is a pretty good "cure" for the problem with TF. Amazing how many different versions of "bonnet props" one can see when viewing a lot of "T's" displayed in one place!
The one I came up with for the TF is as follows:
I found some fiberglass insulated electric fence post aprx 1/2" in diamater and cut to about 12" long. Dipped the end that contacts the bonnet in liquid rubberized "tool grip" (so it does not scratch the paint). The other end was inserted into a spring and secured under the bolt for the front side pannel mount. I then zip tied a small bundgie cord to the "prop" that hooks into the bonnet latch when in use (to prevent "flop-over") When not in use these fold nicely in front of the latch and are held by the "spring" against the side pannel. Really quite simple to make and much less hassle than fumbling for "dowell rods" & "broom sticks" these are always there when I need them. If anyone has an intrest, let me know and I can snap a couple pix and send to you...works quite well.
Cheers & Best Regards,
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

Jan T: Can you reference the picture on the Original TD midget by URL? I am not certain what you mean by folding back on itself. If you mean the two pieces of the same side resting on each other yes, that is the way it is supposed to be.

If you mean the left top half resting on the right top half then no, you have something wrong. This is a common problem. It usually stems from not having an inner and outer hinge support or insufficiently secure screws.

I have been resting my hood pieces together for years with very little paint chips. If I want more visibility to the interior of the engine I will sometimes open the toolbox lid and use it just behind the lip of the lower hood as a brace. Still the hood is folded over.

See the pictures of my car here:

http://www.mgcars.org.uk/mgtd/mgtd_gallery_my_mgtd.htm

A better view in this magazine shot here:
http://www.mgcars.org.uk/mgtd/Pictures/Magazines/Auto_Jul_52.jpg

Chris
Chris Couper

Chris,

Pic 18 is prob the best. You appear to be able to swing the opened half over until the flat flap is almost horizontal. The small cut outs in the corners of the top of my bonnet catch on my hinge end caps well before I can rest the open side on the closed section. This is putting quite a strain on the top corners. I have tried enlarging the cut outs and can now see the slots in the end cap screws when the bonnet is closed - this doesn't look too good. I will send you a digital pic of what I mean.


Cheers

Jan
J Targosz

As Chris says, I have the inner and outer hinge supports bolted up tight, and on side does not touch the other when folded over. Dave
David Broadbridge

This thread was discussed between 29/09/2003 and 01/10/2003

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