MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

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 - TF Side Panel Fasteners

Gentlemen,
Its been three years since I bought the TF and I have not had any side panels, the small louvered ones that cover the openings in the engine compartment and are below the front fenders/wings. I recently acquired a rather beat up original aluminum one, and I am having two new panels made up in steel. I assume that they are bolted on, but finding that it is MUCH easier to do oil changes with the one on the oil filter side of the car off, I was looking to use different fasteners. Yes, the purists will want my head on a stake for not using bolts, but I want to use some sort of nylon, plastic, or Dzus (proper spelling?) fastener that won't chip the paint or cause the panels to vibrate, but will hold the panels securely, and allow them to be removed quickly with a minimum of fuss. Any suggestions?
Gene
Gene Burgess

Gene ,
Those do not bolt in place! They take a "clip" and a cross head screw so you can re-move them easily! Let me know if I have not been clear here and I'll get you a picture!
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

Use No. 10 Phillips sheet metal screws with a "clip" on the main panel. Use a nylon washer under each to prevent paint chipping.
i use stainless steel sheet metal screws
Don Harmer

Hi Gene,
David is correct regarding the attachment of these small panels.Also,originally these cross head screws deliberately had a'blunted' end.It was a good idea by the factory to have this type of screw because,believe me, it will save you a of lot ripped skin when you have to place your hands down in the vicinity of the inside of the side engine panels to work on the car! TFs are a most beautiful car,but a fair s.d to work on in the engine bay area with everything being enclosed.

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

those little clips that hold the screws in place are called in the "trade", Tinnerman clips. My orig. ones are cad or zinc plated as are the cross head screw/blunted ends. Over time the have obtained a dull black colour. So if you paint them flat black its close to the orignal look.
If you need pics let me know.
Colin Stafford

Gentlemen,
Many thanks for the input!
David and Colin: I would appreciate any pics you can provide.
Gene
Gene Burgess

Gene,
You got mail....not a very good picture hopefully Colin can come up with a better shot of his. I think I have a few "spares" of these and will try to get a better shot of one tomorrow. They are very common.
Cheers,
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

Gene,

I'm surprised to learn you are making new louvered panels of steel, when the originals were in aluminium!

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A. Clark

Gordon,
The aluminum example I have is pretty beat up, with two of the 9 louvres missing/ripped out. The aluminum itself is very thin. To tell the truth, I never gave it a great deal of thought, but I figured that steel panels would stand up better in the long run, so that's what I'm going with.
Gene
Gene Burgess

Gene,
If you ever do want them done in aluminium,I have found a perfect,as per original, reproduction done by a company here in Australia called Kilmartins.They are of excellent quality and you just have to drill the holes in the panel to take the fixing screws.Kilmartins is located in Ballarat,VICTORIA,AUSTRALIA.I have no financial affiliation.

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

Rob,
Thank you for the info!
Gene
Gene Burgess

Gene, Mine came with one missing and the other was trashed. I bought the repro's in steel from Moss. After painting you can't tell the difference.

LaVerne
LaVerne

This thread was discussed between 18/04/2007 and 26/04/2007

MG TD TF 1500 index

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