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 MGB Technical - wire access hole inner fender?

There is a hole on the passenger side engine bay that seems to be a wire access hole. It is almost square with rounded corners. Is there a cover/panel that should be covering it? This is next to the absorbtion canister and just rearward of the fuse box. There is also one on the drivers side but slightly different in shape. Has anyone here made a door or cover for this hole?
kids1

There should be a large rubber grommet covering both holes. The shell was made ‘ambidextrous’ and the hole is for access to the clutch and brake master cylinder hydraulic connections for either LH or RH drive cars. I don’t have a parts catalogue with me but somebody will have a part number for the bung.

Geoff
Geoff King

Kids1,

If you are referring to the rather large openings in the inner fenderwell back near the firewall, these were never covered by a plate or rubber cover. On my GT V-8 (and I believe many other MGBs) the wiring harness passes through the RH opening on its way between the engine bay and the cockpit. If you look back into the opening, you should see the wiring harness goes through a 2" round hole at the firewall, this is where the harness is grommeted. These openings make a good place to check for rust when buying an MGB, since they open into the square section braces behind the front fenders (wings). These braces get covered with corrosive grunge and eventually rust out.

Cheers,
Paul Kile
Paul Kile

Kids,I think Geof is confusing your description with the bulkhead holes, which, as Paul says, are filled with rubber plugs.

Paul, can you dump Waxol or any other anti- rust treatment down there without it dribbling out or into places it shouldn't go?
Ken R
Ken Rich

Now I read the Kids1 message again I believe these openings are in the side of the engine bay not in the bulkhead/firewall. It was the holes behind the pedal box that I referred to. They should be filled with a rubber bung or grommet part number 14B630, description ‘Master cylinder access grommet’.

Rust preventative in and around the wing/ fender reinforcements should not escape into places it shouldn’t get to unless there are holes where there shouldn’t be or grommets missing where there should be. The throttle cable on RH drive cars comes up through this area and rust preventative fluid could leak through to the footwell.

Geoff
Geoff King

O.k. the reason for covering them is probably regional. My garage has a 3" gap between the floor and walls. Near the roof line, there is a gap. This is to allow for humid air and heat to rise and for fume ventilation. I've tried screen etc. but field mice (that are impossible to irradicate) build a nest in the upper fender cavity thru this square access hole. They climb up the motor and bring leaves,acorn shells, and paper! I've used traps and poisons, even moth balls. If the car sits 3 days, another nest is built. The area pest control businesses said to expect it. They charge $100 for the first mouse and $30 for the rest, all by traps! I may built access doors for these square openings.
Yes Paul K. I see the wire harness and it has been chewed slightly.
kids1

Check out what pesky little rodents can do if left to nest in the areas you describe.

http://www.mzaff.com/1977repairs.htm

PO must have fed the little buggers.

The problem will not go away easily. There are many ways in. Seal every opening with metal to the extent possible.

-mike
Mike Zaffarano

You, my friend, need a herd of cats! Yes, they tend to leave kitty foot prints on every elevated place they can possibly get to, but that is preferable to field mice under the bonnet. I live out in the boonies and have never had any mouse sign in my vehicles; I have four cats who live outside and take care of that for me.
Paul Briggs

Should have mentioned..Lotsa outdoor cats in the neighborhood. They can't keep up. These field mice are big, like small rats. Some call them fruit rats. We also have hawks, eagles, bats, egrits, and snakes. That's what you get with urban sprawl in central FL and my house is 22yrs old!
kids1

kids1,
I believe the part you are referring to is MOSS Part No. 282-970, Firewall Plug, US$4.75 ea. Its on page 130/131 of my Apr 2001 catalog in the section for 'inner body fittings'
Dave Engdahl

Dave, I think the piece you refer to is for the firewall itself. The piece I would need is for the side panel just above the inner fender. It is close to what I need and I may order one to try. Thanks.
kids1

There is no blanking plug for the large access hole in the inner wing. Nor the smaller hole in the front skin of the firewall that can be seen through it. There should be a wiring grommet in the circular hole in the rear skin of the firewall that can be seen through both the aforementioned holes, or from under the dash.
Paul Hunt

This thread was discussed between 21/03/2002 and 25/03/2002

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.