T-Series MG TD Tub

[Bearister]

Sorry I did not explain my question correctly. I have a 1952 MGTD I'm restoring. I purchased a 1053 Tub which was in much better condition. Reassembling the car and being told that the 53 Tub is 1" shorter. Here is problem and questions. Having some trouble making doors from 52 tub fit correctly in 53 tub. Also the when bonnet is put on is approximately 1 1/2" short on both sides. Not between radiator and cowling but rather side extension. Space between bonnet and front fender. Any word of wisdom?

 

[trrdster2000]

Bearister, I found this and hope it helps.
https://www.classicandperformancecar.com/front_website/octane_interact/carspecs.php/?see=337
Wayne

 

[MikeP]

A quick look at the Moss site seems to indicate that the timbers for the tub are the same across all TD years and I've never read anything that said there were size differences from 52 to 53, although I've never really been looking for that type information. As for the doors, well those can be difficult to swap from tub to tub. You have to remember that unlike modern cars these were not robot assembled to extremely small tolerances. It appears that the either the tub sieds were built around the doors or the doors were built to the tub openings so there can exist what a current manufacturer would consider to be excessive variance. You probably will have to deskin the doors, rework the wood and reinstall the skins to get them to fit properly.

Don't know what to say about the bonnet. Would probably need to actually see before and after to venture an opinion.

 

[MGTF1250Dave]

Aloha,

Off hand the main difference in the TD model was the TD and TD Mk II and this was primarily a change to the engine performance and rear end. British auto manufacturers offered the same model car over a number of years. Model year designation seems to be a US thing and many imported cars here are register in the year they were sold not when they were manufactured. Most British auto makers noted variances within a model by the commission number when a change was made. Looking at this website: https://www.mgcars.org.uk/mgtd/mgtd_production.htm you can see what changes were made during the production run of TDs. I quickly scanned it but didn't see any indication of change in the body. I suspect the poor fit might be caused by other things.

 

[tlthorne]

1st thing I would do is get out the service manual, find the chassis section, check the frame for square. Make sure the frame is right before you worry about how the body fits!

 

[PAUL161]

First, as said before, the chassis has to be straight as possible. Their a weak and poorly designed chassis and very subject to twisting, bending and flexibility. A door fit and adjustment is made at times by adding or subtracting shims between body and chassis. These tubs are very flexible and need to be shimmed properly. You have to remember also, that a lot of hand work was done when these cars were built. They had a guy walk around and make adjustments while the cars were still on the assembly line and some when they were off the line. I think he carried a big hammer!(Grin). Wooden frame work with sheet metal nailed to it, isn't a repetitive perfect fit! You'll have to tweak the heck out of everything to get a proper fit. The doors were hand made also, so a variation there is a strong possibility. Just be thankful that you aren't restoring an old Morgan! PJ