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 - Tool Box holes 51 MG TD

There are four holes in the back left side of my tool box and I don't have a clue what they were originally for. My TD did not come with turn signals so I do not think they were for any of the flasher electronics. I have researched the archives and looked through all the pictures I have and while seen the exact same pattern on the left and right side none of the pictures had anything attached.
Does anyone know what mounted to these four holes?
Attached is a picture from inside the tool box.

Thanks,
Rich


Rich (TD 3983) Taylor

Here is an interior picture on the drivers side.


Rich (TD 3983) Taylor

I think someone speculated they were for a mounting jig to align while welding, but otherwise have no clue. George
George Butz

Thanks George!
Rich (TD 3983) Taylor

They serve no purpose for the TD but there are a lot of parts that were used on other cars and then there was a purpose so we just put up with these mysteries. For example holes on the firewall, brackets on the tappet cover, bolts on the valve cover etc.

Sometimes we find other cars that use these items. I should probably start a page on the TD site to document where some of these mystery items have purpose.

For example we know that Y's used the bolts on the valve cover to brace their air cleaner.
Christopher Couper

Chris this would have to mean the TD bulkhead/firewall is common to other T Types eg TA, TB, TC, YT etc? Seems improbable as the TD for example was wider than the TC. The jig as an aid to assembly is perhaps a more plausible possibility. You're right about the commonality of smaller parts eg the engine steady bar also used on the YT. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

I once read that the tool box was army surplus from WWII but that doesn't seem possible. If it was originally was some sort of ammunition or other storage box I think it would fit and seal a lot better. Mine fits ok but I am sure if it was rained on it would leak.
Rich (TD 3983) Taylor

Peter: As Rich points out another possible use, just because an assembly is for a particular car does not mean the parts did no come from a common source. Even one where its welded together.

We have no clue of all the British cars floating around out there that have some common part on them. Reuse was the order of the day because at the end of WWII for example there was insufficient resources to start fresh as too much rebuilding needed to take place to get Europe back together again.

This is the biggest reason we have the MGTD and mgtf rather than the MGA from the get go. And even the MGA borrowed a lot from previous cars.
Christopher Couper

This thread was discussed between 05/10/2014 and 06/10/2014

MG TD TF 1500 index

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