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 - All about Clips

LaVern, Bill Chasser and Chris Cooper have been helping me install the wiring harness via email and text.

Because I had a lot of questions (Including the question LaVern posted about clips). I have decided to document the wiring loom installation.

I am taking pictures of each step and where exactly things go.

When done, Chris will add this to his web page.

Today, I learned that all the frame clips for the brakes, wiring and fuel line go with the open end up.


I also found two holes in the inside of the front cross member. They are the same size as the holes in the frame that hold the brake line, fuel line and wiring harness to the frame.

Does anyone know if these were used, and if so, for what?








Bruce Cunha

Bruce,

Could the holes in the front cross member be used for securing the brake line as it crosses over to the off side?
Lew Palmer

Bruce -

Clips were installed facing UP and DOWN. My TF had them facing up and down, plus some at an angle. See this link on the Original MG TF midget about location of chassis clips:
https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtf/mgtf_chassis.htm

In addition to the diagram on Chris' site, I have attached another diagram of clip locations on TDs and TFs. NOTE: Early TFs had the fuel pump on the firewall, like TDs. Later TFs had the fuel pump on the right side of the chassis in front of the rear axle.

I photographed all clip locations on my TF before I disassembled and after the chassis was painted and new clips installed. Hope to assemble into a usable document after the restoration is finished.

I have attached a PDF of my new brake lines, which shows most, but not all, of the clips on my TF chassis. Wiring harness has not been installed.

By the way, my front cross member has the same mystery holes as yours. See pix in the PDF.

Lonnie
TF7211



LM Cook

Thanks Lonny. Yep, you are correct. I found pictures in Chris's file that show both up and down clips.
https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtd/Pictures/TD23834/Thumbnails/mgtd_gallery_td23834.htm

Picture 114 shows a down facing clip

Do you have a diagram on which way each clip went?
Bruce Cunha

Ok, studying factory pictures and I came across another interesting one.

This picture shows the factory replacing a rack and pinion unit. This is interesting in that the R&P unit was installed early in the production process.

I am assuming that for some reason they had to replace this unit. Note there are no clips on the unit, so I would think they are putting in another unit.

Now, take a look at a close-up of the wiring harness above the unit. There is what appears to be a P clip clearly visible on the harness.

If it is a P clip, any thoughts on where this went? From the direction, I would think it may have gone under a bolt for the steering unit.

I have never seen one before.






Bruce Cunha

Bruce -
The second page in my link to The Original MG TF Midget has a diagram that shows the direction that each clip faces. The direction of the clips on the right side is difficult to see. I have attached the diagram with the direction highlighted.

Maybe I can post some photos of clips on the right side tonight.

I have also attached the Moss chassis clip. I believe it's Moss #326-326. Buy extras because you will probably break some.

Paul Probst stated at the bottom of the diagram that "All clips appear to start off the same but are BENT differently to offer different sizes."

Lonnie
TF7211






LM Cook

LaVern posted a picture of a clip that has been determined to be the clip that holds the horn wire to the battery wire.

Anyone have one of these as a spare I can buy? I have not found them yet from the vendors.







Bruce Cunha

I also would like a battery cable/horn clip, never seen that available. George
George Butz III

Thanks Lonny. I will move some to match your picture.

BTW. I use a Tac removing tool (looks like a screwdriver with a V in the end, and the end is slightly bent) to remove the clips.

It allows you to get under the clip, push on the base, and then pop it out.

Also, if you want to add to your information.

The clip used on the TD (Probably the same for the TF) is also the same clip used on the 1954 through 1960 Cadillac. I bought mine from them as the Moss clips were breaking. I had no issue with these. Unfortunately, the price has gone up. They were less than Moss's. Now they are not. https://www.opgi.com/fittings-hoses/hose-line-clamps-brackets/1954-60-brake-fuel-line-clip/line-clip-1954-60-cadillac-brake-fuel-ce08201.html

The large clip is the same as '947 to 1952 Ford 9N Tactors.
http://www.fixthatford.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&zenid=3ikgrljcuqo4ep41nssa2j1fs0&keyword=51C14197
Bruce Cunha

Thanks. I'll record your links. The clips must have been standard-issue in the 50s. Some of mine came from a vintage Chevy truck parts supplier that I used in my 1954 Chevy pickup.

These links may show higher resolution images of the chassis clip diagram than the one that I posted:

> Link to webpage:
https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtf/mgtf_chassis.htm

> Link to JPG image:
https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtf/Pictures/Miscellaneous/MGFrame.jpg

And finally, here is a link to my Google Drive that has updated document of my brake line installation that I posted earlier in this thread. Future updates will keep the same URL.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X0MDsRCogNmY4V8lJ8qnSSJHKgbc_2_e/view?usp=sharing

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

Here is an update. I got to go over TD 5779 today. It was put in a garage back in 1960/61 and had the body disassembled for a repaint. The engine was removed for a rebuild. It has 40,000 miles on it. It was never painted or put back together.

All parts are original.

The clips for the brake line were oriented down. The clips for the wiring harness were oriented up. The clips for the fuel line were oriented up.

This matches Lonnies information from the TF.





Bruce Cunha

Lavern sent me the dimensions of the clip that goes on the right horn wire to the battery cable (First photo). It is spring steel.

I made one from a butterfly paper clip The spring steel is of a type that you can bend it without having to heat it.

It is not exact, but close enough. (Second Photo)





Bruce Cunha

This thread was discussed between 07/10/2021 and 15/10/2021

MG TD TF 1500 index

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