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MG TD TF 1500 - FRONT FENDER TO DUMB IRONS

Should there be any packing (rubber or steel spacer) between the front fender and the dumb irons at the bumper mounting point?

LaVerne
LaVerne

Sorry, forgot to mention on a TF.
LaVerne

Lavern - I was all set to tell you how the things went together until your second post reminded me that you have a TF - the result is, I don't have the slightest idea, because I have a TD. For what it is worth, the TD doesn't use any packing or spacers other than the piping edges that fit in htat area. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Thanks Dave, This could be a coble up area for me. When I got the car it had ben crunched at one time on the front end. The original dumb irons had been buggered up and brazed together along with the radiator support. I fabricated up some new dump irons using the old ones for a pattern and welded in the threaded portion from the old ones and used the frame measurements from the manual to weld them back to the frame. I'm now hanging the front fenders and running boards and have about 2" from the front of the dumb iron to the back side of the fender. I'm obviously going to have to pack it with something or make a mess of the fender when haning the bumper. May have to get longer bolts also. Was just curious what was the way it was supposed to be.

LaVerne
LED DOWNEY

Hi LaVerne,
I have'nt seen any packing on TF's between the front guard and the end of the dumb iron and certainly never a 2 inch gap. If you have a space here it may mean(and your measurements for the dumb iron length are correct)that the guard has been mis-shapened via accidents and/or the chassis frames long rails have been compressed again through frontal accidents.The TD's dumb irons are of course longer when compared to TF's.
On TF's,there is a circular metallic spacer between the front guard and the central brackets(2) holding the front bumper blade.There was a round very thin rubber gasket on either side of the spacer.
Perhaps you could check measurements with a car you know has orginal status-there are a few still around!
Cheers.
Rob.G.
Rob. Grantham

LaVern - I would suggest that you go to the Original TF midget web site at: http://www.mgcars.org.uk/mgtf/ If there is no specific information on the site about the issue you are dealing with, then contact Art Mafli (his e-mail address should be somewhere on the site) and pose the question to him. Having done a complete restoration on a TF, he may have the answer for you. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

On my TF 1500, there is no packing between the front fender and the dumb irons. There is also no space as you have, the fender is snug against the front of the dumb iron. It sounds like your remade dumb irons are too short by 2 inches.

Go measure another TF to clarify.
Don Harmer

No sense looking now. I'll just have to space it out. Thinking the fender shape is ok as the side panels and the grille openings all match up. Nearest TF I could look at is probably John Progess's and he's about 300 miles from me.

LaVerne
LaVerne

LaVerne there are some frame drawings in the back of the Workshop Manual- Section S, Chassis Frame Repairs. page S.7
The measurement on a TF front extension is 13.8125 inches from the center-line of the front cross member. The TD extensions are slightly 2 inches longer.
This may give you more reference to double check your repair or improvisation.

Dallas
Dallas Congleton

Dallas, I used the drawings and dimensions to determine the length and position on the frame before they were made and burned into the frame. Only guess work at that time was the exact location for drilling the radiator cross support holes. everything looks good except the gap to the fender. It may be closer than 2" but not much. I'll just have to bush it out and use longer bolts.

Thanks to all,

LaVerne
LaVerne

Had to figure out what went wrong, so I got the tape out and the gap is roughly 1 1/4". Out with the manual. The dimensions shown for the TF were 13.8125 from the center of the shock mounting point to the end of the dumb iron. Checked the car and thats exactly what I have. Looked again and the book says 15.00?? for the TD. Would seem that if I'd used the dimension given for the TD that it would have been a perfect fit. Wonder what that's all about?

LaVerne
LED DOWNEY

I have owned my TF since new from the dealer in 1954. There was no packing between the over-rider and the bumper face.

The packing of which you speak, was first introduced with the Mk I Sprite which used the same over-rider and a similar bumper face.

Any packing (and I have added it to my TF) is strictly non-standard but a worthwhile addition.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A. Clark

Hi,
Gordon the question from LaVerne I think relates to the space he has between the front guard(fender)and the dumb irons (chassis frame extensions)and not the packing between the over-rider and bumper face.
Cheers
Rob. G.
Rob. Grantham

LaVerne, I was out in the shop this morning and my TD chassis is sitting there awaiting the body and fenders to comeback from the painters, who seem to have made this job their retirement plan.
I measured the frame extensions on it to see if the TD measurements agreed with the drawings, and they do - 15 inches plus a scoce. I was thinking that the measurements on the drawing could possibly be switched between the TD and TF, but they seem to be correct.

FWIW
Dallas
Dallas Congleton

LaVerne,
My car has no packing between the fender and the dumb irons. Where the bumper brackets attach to the front fender there is a aluminum spacer approximately 1" diameter by 5/8" long. If a picture would help let me know soon as we are headed to Oregon on Saturday for GOF West.Hope this helps and have a good day!

John

John Progess

John, a photo from the underside would be nice to see if you have the time. What will you be driving to Mt. Hood? All the talk on the board has been about the GOF east. It would be nice to hear and see photos from the north west also.

LaVerne
LaVerne

Rob G,

Thanks for the correction. I've gotta lay off that stuff ...

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A. Clark

This thread was discussed between 27/06/2006 and 30/06/2006

MG TD TF 1500 index

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