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MG MGA - Help for unusual problem

Hi, I have a '62 Mark II which is currently in my trusty panel crafter's shop undergoing some extensive metal replacement. The front clip was replaced in it's earlier lifetime and is believed to be from a 1500.

The problem is regarding the radiator support brackets which attach to the inner fenderwells. The brackets have a small triangular brace which attaches to the fenderwell. My braces are mounted on the front of the bracket, pointing to the front of the car, while every picture I've ever seen shows them mounting on the rear of the bracket, pointing to the rear of the car.

It's like the brackets were put on backwards, except that the air hose connectors are pointing down and my panel crafter, who has done many, many MGA's, says that the brackets are definately factory attached.

Does anyone know if any of the variants ever had the bracket braces pointing to the front as oppossed to the rear?

Thanx.
Rich Drinovz

Most interesting. just had a look at mine. The triangular brackets are definitely towards the back of the car. the left side air tube is angled up towards the rear pointing towards the carb air filters. The right hand one on mine has the tubing attached to the heater box, but it would appear to be level towards the back of the car, perhaps with a smidge of down; difficult to be precise without moving the tubing.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Twin Cam bodies have the small triangular braces pointing to the front of the car. Also,the radiator support bracket is positioned slightly more forward than on pushrod bodies, can't remember exactly how far, maybe about one inch.
Garry
Garry Kemm

Not sure how much of the body was included in the front clip swap but be aware the 1500 and 1600s have differing panels/body dimples in the inner wheel arch where the air cleaners sit..You may need to modify these as well. If you were in Australia I could cut out my inner passenger guard and give it to you from my modified racing car (I'll just make up some sheet metal replacements)...whats on more non-original part in it anyway!
regards
Mark
Mark Mathiesen

Rich, according to the Eclectic Motors site the Twin Cam radiator support brackets are also positioned further forward than the normal MGAs so you might consider just replacing the whole bracket and brace wiht the correct 1500 or 1600 pieces.
Bill Young

Correct me if I'm wrong, but having a 62 Mark 2, it seems that if Twin Cam brackets are postitioned forward of the radiator support, this body was originally a Twin Cam body and never got the Twin Cam engine. To be correct for a 62 Mark 2, it seems that he has it positioned properly already.
mike parker

Just looked at my 62 MK11. Brackets are behind radiator support. See picture of right side.


R J Brown

The OP says the front clip was replaced some time in the past. It appears that the donor car was either a twin cam or a deluxe. I would leave it, unless you know of a twin cam or deluxe looking for a front clip. Do the wheel arches have access panels? What about the radiator duct panel(I believe it was shorter on the twin cam).It would depend on where the front clip was trimmed.
If you have access to the proper front end you could change it and then have a rare twin cam/deluxe clip available.
John DeWolf

Hi again, really thankful for all of your assistance on this matter. It seems to be leaning in the direction of being a Twin Cam or Deluxe front clip.

I only recall seeing the 1600 fenderwell dimple and I don't believe there are the oil cooler mounting holes on the duct panel that I think the Twin Cam usually has. There were definately no access panels but who knows what the previous metal surgeon cut and pasted with.

Once I get out from under the 2 feet of snow here I'll get into the shop to have a closer look at things. In the meantime I am going to look closer at Twin Cam resources and see what they say.

Cheers, Rich.
Rich Drinovz

Lo & behold, an excellent series of MGA Twin resto photos at:

http://www.vintagerestorationsltd.com/cur_proj12.html

in Maryland show that my brackets seem to be from a Twin Cam. Kind of bizarre when you think about it, but then I just saw Christopher Wilson's photos of the coins used as swivel link plugs.


Rich Drinovz

Hi Rich,

If your body is from a Twin Cam, at least the front part with the radiator support, you will have trouble fitting a pushrod radiator. As the body slopes down at the front, and the radiator is further forward on a Twin Cam, a pushrod radiator will be too high.
For this reason the Twin Cam does not have a header tank or filler at the top of the radiator, they are mounted at the side of the engine, over the exhaust manifold.


Mick
M F Anderson

Rich,
Saw your body earlier this month. The bonnet seems to fit well, but if you want to check radiator height or mount location (as per possible problems suggested above), feel free to drop in to look at my 2 cars - a 56 roadster and a 58 coupe (in pieces). The driveway should be cleared by Monday!
Call me on 604 535 0648 to confirm when I'll be in. We live a few blocks from you, and between your house and Langley.
Peter.
P. Tilbury

Hi Peter, just came in from some more shovelling - thanx for your kind invitation.

Steve at P.C. has mentioned your name in very favourable terms a couple of times. I would really appreciate having a look at your MGA's to check for measurements. I will call tomorrow and seek to arrange a convenient time.

Cheers, Rich.
Rich Drinovz

Rich, where was the replacement front clip joined to the rest of your original body? If your body now has the firewall with body number from the replacement clip, that number will indicate whether Twin Cam or not.
Garry
Garry Kemm

Hi Garry, thanx for your input, the join occurred about a foot or so to the rear of the front of the hood opening. The body tag is original and reflects the car being a Mark II.
Rich.
Rich Drinovz

This thread was discussed between 24/12/2008 and 30/12/2008

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