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MG TD TF 1500 - original BSF bolts & nuts supplier

Greetings all & TD/F experts - after five years of sorting/repairing & finishing we are about ready to put these two TD's back together and on the road by Spring. We would be looking for a supplier for original head stamped bolts. I know about the aftermarket suppliers but isn't there anyone that has a supply of the originals. Haven't seen much here on the chat room about them, don't think I've missed that thread. I'd also like to know or read about the different manufacturers and especially 'Bees' head markings and logo's. I've tried to salvage and save a few from these projects but 90% were just too bad and chasing threads only resulted in cross threading or ruining the already bad threads. Many thanks. Russ
RAH Russ

Russ,

I like your attention to detail on the TD/TF original
bolting.
In a way it is sad to see owners proudly displaying bright stainless steel bolts,nuts etc on some restorations!

The original stamped head bolts and setscrews are now very hard to find.Sometimes they come up in small quantities on eBay,often left over from a restoration
where non original bolts etc are used instead.Also,
the motor bike boys often have some BSF original stamped
bolts which were used on particular makes of the early
motor cycles.

As you probably know,there were various UK manufacturers
that produced bolting for our cars ie.Rubery Owen,Bees,Newton,Sparts,GKN,etc.

I had luck with our current restored TF3719 when I picked up the disassembled car many years ago from the seller's garage.After scouring the garage one last time I noticed a plastic bucket in a corner full of the original bolts,nuts,washers,spring washers and water!! Every item was disgarded from the car.After cleaning up and re running all threads,lightly dressing heads,re cad plating etc.they came up like new and are now all back in the right spot on the TF.

Some BBS members may have spare original bolts etc.

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

Sparts, Rubery-Owen, and Bees were the primary suppliers I do hope you saved the nuts and bolts that were removed. Some will be beyond refurbishment - but most should have been salvageable. I see that Rubery Owen bolts are still being supplied - just Googled the name.

The wire wheel brush, a bead blaster, and solvent are your best friends when refurbishing bolts and nuts.

Best regards
DLD

Hi Russ - I've been watching this question very closely to see what answers were generated, I didn't think many would respond. I'll give you my brief history and help you and others in any way I can. I, like Rob, am glad to see your attention to detail, most wouldn't bother. I also think what you are looking for is a bit of a lost cause. There was a fellow 20 some years back that had 5 gal cans of bolts soaking in oil for 20 years before that, both T series & MGA's. I don't remember his name or the company but I think this was his email mmmgtcars@yahoo.com. I tried to research this subject back then and didn't come up with many leads. The major suppliers were Sparts Wiley GKN Woden & Newton. Rubery Owen (later RO) was probably the largest and very heavy into auto racing & automotive supplies. The rarest of them all was 'Bees' (Action Mfg.) starting with pre-war cars of all brands thru early 1950 TD's. Very unique in that their first head stamping was a 'bumble bee' logo thru MG TC's later changing to large 'Bees' script and again later to a smaller 'Bees' script. These three styles are hardly ever seen anymore because the Jag Austin Healey & motorcycles people are always on the hunt for them and they bring a PREMIUM price. From my old records, here is a list of other fastener suppliers thru MGA ; Platt CLR JH CSC GSF CL TWL BAX Torrington & JDF, Atlas being a newer and aftermarket supplier. These are the suppliers I am familiar with and there may be others that could be added as well. You should also know that not all of the bolts were head stamped, some were plain. From my experience, bolts that could be 'seen' were stamped, hidden bolts were plain heads. I think it would be interesting for someone to start a historical project like this, if I didn't have major travel I would do it in a heartbeat. If anyone knows of someone currently working on this sort of history, please let me and others know. Thanks Harvey
NB Harvey

I got a bunch of originals from a guy that restored a TD with all new hardware. Some new stuff had to be used, such as running board to tub bolts, etc. You may want to contact some of the ebay sellers that are parting out cars and see what they have. George
George Butz

George - Now that is a very good idea, never thought of that one, except I hate people that part out these cars for the money. Harvey, GREAT note, I've always wondered about that. I have seen the 'Bees' bolts a few times on EBAY and the 'Bee' logo once, I think (10) 3/8" - 20T x 4" lg went for over $100.00 last year, must have been a Jag owner with deep pockets, too rich for my blood. Does anyone even care about 'correct' bolt heads any more, I doubt if AACA judges do? I also doubt if they know to look for that. Harvey, please contact me off BBS, where in Penna are you located? Curt
CCV Curt

This thread was discussed between 08/11/2015 and 09/11/2015

MG TD TF 1500 index

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