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MG TD TF 1500 - top replacment MG TD 2 bow

have 51/52 mg td 7191. preparing to replace top, 2 bow top frame. Moss and other notes say top frame should be 20.5 inches above lowest point of door top.
Is this correct or too high. following Dave Braun's restoration site, 20.5 appears too high.
R W Hinton

I just replaced my 2 bow top with a Moss kit. I used Dave's instructions and his measurement of 19.75" as a guide and the top fit perfectly.
louis pascuzzi

I took the average of the two , and ended up with 20+"....
Seems to be fine...
I did notice that one of the PO's had one side almost an inch higher than the other....
If your looking for weather proof, just remember this is a British "sports" car , never meant to drive except on good weather days...Witness the lack of a factory heater.
When I purchased the car, it was shipped to me, and I asked the PO to put up the top and side curtains , even though the car was shipped in a closed trailer.....
I knew that I would probably have to drive it , at least some distance in the rain, from the truck to the garage.
The PO was really hesitant to put up the side curtains....
When I got the car home, I removed the side curtains , and then realized what a PITA it was to put up and take down. and remove and replace in the storage compartment.....I hope I never have to do that in the rain!
Edward
E.B. Wesson

R.W., I don't know if this applies to a two bow top, as mine is a three bow - but the placement and the angle of the triangular hinge plates of the top mechanism was critical for whether the top mechanism would clear and fold down into the space behind the seat. I found this to be a finicky position, to both establish the correct height and obtain enough forward position for clearance when folded so the top mechanism would not rest on the rear deck, and of course to fit to the windshield.
May not be so fussy on a two bow....

FWIW
Dallas
Dallas Congleton

RW,


I would suggest ordering a Moss top through British Sports Car Restorations if you have not already done so. They give up to 16% off the Moss price. You can see their web site at www.bscr.com.


Ken
KL Ken

Yes, the 20.5 (Moss's directions as of about 5 years ago) is too high. My suggestion: fit the side curtains first, the the top. I had a beautifully installed and fitting top using the 20.5, then went to do the curtains. About a 1" gap at the top, no way to correct w/o lowering the top bows. I ended up with 4 extra screw holes in the rear panels, and had to get a new piece of hidem for the front, and toally re-install the top. I was not a happy camper! George
George Butz

Since I drove the TD to storage yesterday with the hood and side curtains in place, I once again considered George's route of disassembling the hood, remounting the sticks and resetting the hood. The hood is made for the lower setting, from the location of the hood stays to the amount of 'darts' that can be achieved with the front corners when set too high.

That said, Diane absolutely is adament that I not mess with it. We hardly ever drive with the side curtains in place, and we don't really want to punch more holes in the panels. I just wish Moss would have had the %$##@&% dimension correct when I installed the hood. I didn't do the side curtains 'til a year later; as regular life intervened and I was having too much fun with the car. I think George's suggestion is best, but failing that, use the 19.75 dimension.

Note, I always skip the screws that go through the top into the rear bow, I place those screws in the hood stays instead. I also install snaps in lieu of screws along the rear rail for access to the rear area when loading and unloading, even when I'm not motoring with the top up. The tonneau LTD stud could hav been mush lower just beneath the rear side edge of the hood. No tonneau studs on the door, just one on the tub either side of the door. OK, Off the soap box on weather equipment now.

warmly,
dave

Dave Braun

IMHO:
George is spot on ...fit the side curtains first, then the hood. Mine was installed by a "pro", and that is what he did. Very happy with the results.
Hood came from LBC ...Jeff was most helpful as there was some confusion with mine. I have a TF with 2 bow(modified) frame! The pic's on LBC's site of TF hood are my car.

Image Gallery #'s 5&6
http://www.lbcarco.com/cgi-bin/or17?runprog=lbcnews&prog=2F6367692D62696E2F67656E353F6E657874666F726D3D2F6D61696E2E68746D6C&o=
David Sheward 55 TF1500 # 7427

Dave,

What color top are you planning on getting?

I have a black top that a squirrel chewed a fifty cent size hole in the center. It can be easily fixed.

You're welcome to it free of charge if you think it will work for you. An upholstery shop should make the repair quite easily.
R C Flowers

R C,

If that kind offer is directed at me, I'm not actually considering replacing the top. If I lowered the sticks, I would simply remove the hidem strip and the front bow staples, pull the hood forward and restaple it. Tricky, but possible.

Thanks so much for the offer.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Yep, it was directed to you Dave. It's not perfect but it is easily repaired and usable.
R C Flowers

RC,

Has your "squirrel" top already been installed? Also, is it a two or three bow top? I'm trying to find a stop gap solution for my TF till proper funds allow for what I want to do (green mohair top and curtains). My present top is black vinyl and was very poorly installed.

Alex
Alex Waugh

Dear RC Flowers,
I need a Black Two Bow Top for my 52 TD. Please contact me gfmetz@gmail.com . to talk about a deal for yours. Thanks, George
GF Metz

This thread was discussed between 08/10/2012 and 17/10/2012

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