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Parts

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 TD TF 1500 - grill shell lacing

What was the original material used in the chrome grill shell to stop the bonnet vibration. The cheap aftermarket supplied is a black rubber strip that makes a mess after a couple of years and falls apart. I read somewhere that a cotton strap was original, but after several years it rotted away too. There was a fellow several years back that was selling a polyester woven lacing as I recall. Does anyone use this, how is it lasting and might you have a contact for this ? Thanks Sam
SW SAM

I've had the Moss supplied strip on my TF for 11 years....no problems other than its thicker than the original.
L E D LaVerne

I've got LaVerne beat - I have had the Moss strip in our TD since 1980. So far no deterioration has taken place (and the car is driven year around). Cheers - Dave
DW DuBois

Is the Moss a rubber strip? I still had the tattered seal on my TC to work from. I went with a woven fiberglass type material intended for a stove door seal. It comes in different colors and width's. It installs and starts out round, and flattens out with use. Ebay # 170818127371 is just an example of something along the lines of what I am talking about. Avoid any of these with self adhesive.
Not sure how long it will last, but looks similar to what came off.


D mckellar

I think the TC used a cloth/fabric strip and the later cars rubber. Never had any rubber one melt, they seem to last for years. George
George Butz

Rubber for TD and TF according to the Service Parts Lists.

Matthew.
M Magilton

TFs had rubber on grill shell lacing. The modern replacement
is too big in section from many suppliers and the rubber quality is certainly questionable.

However,I use a Nitrile strip cut from a sheet. Lasts a mighty long time
without any evidence of tearing or splitting off.

Cheers
Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos").
Rob Grantham

Pictures of the last built TD I visited when I was at Mike Shea's is clearly a woven material. Car is very original. I'll try to find my pics and post. TD 4834 was also a woven material but was quite tattered when I undertook its restoration. I bought Moss material but it makes my hoods very taunt when trying to latch the bonnets. It might be a tad thicker than the original material whether it was woven or rubber

Bill Chasser
TD4834
W. A. Chasser

Great photo(no.064) of the radiator shell bonnet rest rubber on the pretty original TF9052 located on The Original mgtf midget site.

Cheers
Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos").
Rob Grantham

I had woven material on my shell when I rebuilt the engine. I also had ( from some where ) the rubber strip that is more modern. Problem is , it makes the hood harder to latch. I will be taking it off and install the material that came with it ( TD23816 ).



M Grogan

another shot


M Grogan

This is the webbing on TD-29315 that I mentioned which is still original family owned. When asked about it on my visit owner related that this was NOS material from BMC purchased many years ago. There had been some restoration work done at one time. My car had similar material though it was well rotted.

Bill Chasser
TD4834


W. A. Chasser

This will be removed soon


M Grogan

Interesting. Look at picture #75 on Chris Couper's original TD #23834. Definitely rubber. Could not find in the factory parts book, or radiator shell either. Abingdon Spares always listed the canvas/fabric for TC and rubber TD/TF, and Gerry Gougen was pretty sharp on orginality. Wonder if they used both depending on stock? George
George Butz

George on TD 29315 as delivered to the owner in England also came with KOTR TC chrome headlights. It is an odd duck but very well documented

Sorry I tried to flip the pic but won't take

Bill Chasser
TD-4834


W. A. Chasser

Good shot (photo no.10) of the rubber radiator strip on TF7472 re 'The Original MGTF Midget' site.

Cheers
Rob Grantham
Rob Grantham

My research suggests rubber on TD & TF, greenish woven webbing on the earlier cars. It seems the Moss rubber is not only too thick it's also not durable. Agree with Rob, Chris & Matthew on the rubber being original & especially with Rob on the Nitrile for correct thickness & durability. Difficult to argue with the Parts List. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

I got my rubber from B&G and it is very close to the original I removed. I don't have a close up of the lacing after I installed it, but this might give an idea how well it fits. PJ



Paul161

Here's a better shot of the B&G lacing.



Paul161

1/16" thick x 1/2" wide x 10 feet roll. RubberSheetRoll used to sell it. Can't find it now but did not spend a lot of time searching. Perhaps they just converted to metric sizing.

I have seen original cars with both smooth rubber and textured rubber. I suspect it was the usual 'whatever they had on hand' situation.

Christopher Couper

This thread was discussed between 06/10/2016 and 08/10/2016

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.