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MG TD TF 1500 - Hood Frame Positioning TF

I know this topic has been raised before but my archive searches have been fruitless. I need to fit my refurbished hood frame to the TF which has new rear upholstery panels and so no witness markings. I have fitted the side screen frame turn buckles so the front frame is parallel with the windscreen and the rear one so the gap between front/rear is uniform. Should the hood frame be parallel to the top of the side screens. Can someone please advise me on how to position the hood pivots correctly.

Thank you


Jan T
J Targosz

Hi Jan,
the Original mgtf midget gallery has 1 photo showing the orientation of the pivot bracket.
The main consideration is that the pivot point has to be high enough to tension the hood correctly and also forward enough to allow the hood to fold inside the tub.
I found it a suck it and see exercise with lots of wooden scaffold and "G" clamps.
I have looked at a few cars and they all seem to be slightly different but all fit, the bodies aren't all that accurate anyway.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

Jan if your panel are still loose might I suggest that you cut off the end of a sheet metal screw and round it to a point. Screw it in with a pair of vise grips re set your side panel into place and smack it wher the points are to scribe the inside of the panel. That will index your holes relatively close. Punch the panel and insert your top frame and screws. That is providing that you didn't replace your timber and you have the existing holes.

Cheers

Bill CHasser jr
TD4834

W. A. Chasser Jr

Picking up on bills suggestions;
I made a little tool. One that has a shaft that fits into the existing holes on one end with a point on the other end.

(First frame)

I moved the panel out just a bit, slipped it into the hole with some forceps. and then tapped on the panel a bit. This shows where the point is. Using a very small deep socket, you can then tap the panel back on the point and for a hole exactly where the old hole was.


Jim B in NJ

Jim. I think your the one that gave me the idea. I like yours better. You can drive the point through and not damage the hole. You should market that tool. I'd buy one in a heartbeat as I need to do the same thing

Cheers

Bill Chasser jr
TD4834
W. A. Chasser Jr

Plenty of previous posts on what the height dimension should be. Personally I think the best approach is to get your side screens fitting correctly and then tackle the hood using clamps to secure the pivot. Initially I used the original securing holes and found this was not satisfactory with my new hood.

Incidentally before you commence make sure you are totally happy with your door fitments as the side screen positioning is also affected by this. From experience I would not cover my side screens until after I had a satisfactory fitup, dont be surprised if you have to alter the frames, these cars were not assembled with high precision in this area.
G Evans

My frame with factory upholstery.

Matthew.


M Magilton

This is another area that needs some well written instructions particularly so when the timber has been replaced. I have new timber on one side & the original on the other but it's impossible to determine which of the many holes are relevant. It seems the best approach is to set up the uncovered side curtain frames & the hood frame BEFORE any of the interior trim is fitted, using ply offcuts that are the same thickness as the panel ply. These are temporarily fitted to the body timber, which then allows the frames to be bent & the fittings shifted as many times as is needed, without turning either the panel or the body timber into Swiss cheese. Once positioned, the right holes can then be marked & a pilot hole drilled into the frame timber. Jim's tool or even a headless nail with a sharpened point can then be fitted into the correct set of holes to mark the panels. I realize this is of no use to you Jan but it may help others who are approaching this stage in their restorations. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

I held my frame in place with squeeze clamps to locate the bracket holes. The sticks in the door to locate the height of the frame are 19-1/2 inches long. I then drilled pilot holes and put in brass threaded inserts so that the frame is held in place with machine screws. I should have but didn't install the side curtain frames first but was lucky enough to get the hood close enough that when I did install the side curtain frames it worked pretty well. I installed the side curtain frames BEFORE I put the covers on and then located the covers with the frames in place and the hood up. I think there is a full series of pictures from my installation of Totally T-Type. Dave's site is more detailed and his installation is superb. Jud


J. K. Chapin

Is my logic faulty. The position of the front side screen can be adjusted by the siting of the front turn buckle. It is set so the front edge is parallel to the windscreen. Again the rear side screen can be adjusted by where the turn buckle is screwed and it is set so the front vertical is parallel to the front side screen and the top edges are in line. Finally the hood is fitted to the two pegs on the windscreen and the side pivots screwed to the rear panel so the gaps between the hood and side screen panels are parallel.


Jan t
J Targosz

Jan, I think you've got it. I had to move both the front and rear turnbuckles from where the PO had slapped them on. Jud
J. K. Chapin

This thread was discussed between 10/08/2015 and 11/08/2015

MG TD TF 1500 index

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