MGTF1500resto.Finished.Won best in show.FOR SALE.NOW SOLD
- Thread starter Pilkie
- Start date
Pilkie
Active Member
Re: My 1954 MG TF1500 project.The bodywork starts!!
Brush paint it? NEVER!!!
Its going to Dean for a bare metal repaint in the original Autumn red!
Decided to keep it as original as poss,so that any future new owner only has to fit an original engine and minimal other stuff to return it to std originality.
When there is only supposedly 1 place in the world that create the wood sections and make full ash frames and fully skinned bodies for the MG- T range,there is not much haggling on the price!
But I will save where I can,to pay for the bits I will need to buy or have restored,refurbished like the 3 dash dials!
Brush paint it? NEVER!!!
Its going to Dean for a bare metal repaint in the original Autumn red!
Decided to keep it as original as poss,so that any future new owner only has to fit an original engine and minimal other stuff to return it to std originality.
When there is only supposedly 1 place in the world that create the wood sections and make full ash frames and fully skinned bodies for the MG- T range,there is not much haggling on the price!
But I will save where I can,to pay for the bits I will need to buy or have restored,refurbished like the 3 dash dials!
JVY
Active Member
Re: My 1954 MG TF1500 project.The bodywork starts!!
Still following this with interest and curious to see how much wood was used in the construction of the frames etc. of these cars. I reckon the frame bits you bought weren't too bad a deal. If you had to make these yourself you would need quite an expensive router setup, spindle moulder and templates or a lot of patience and skill with planes and chisels. I am still trying to get my head round the concept that an MOT tester might fail and MG TF on wet rot
Still following this with interest and curious to see how much wood was used in the construction of the frames etc. of these cars. I reckon the frame bits you bought weren't too bad a deal. If you had to make these yourself you would need quite an expensive router setup, spindle moulder and templates or a lot of patience and skill with planes and chisels. I am still trying to get my head round the concept that an MOT tester might fail and MG TF on wet rot
Pilkie
Active Member
Re: My 1954 MG TF1500 project.The bodywork starts!!
Here you go!
http://www.ukmgparts.com/browse.aspx?CI ... 7e8bff4651
Here you go!
http://www.ukmgparts.com/browse.aspx?CI ... 7e8bff4651
OrganDoctor
New Member
Re: My 1954 MG TF1500 project.The bodywork starts!!
Had to use a stripper on the last front wing of my 2000TC today as someone had brush painted yellow zinc oxide over evrything, I presume as a preservative. Underneath I found the original white and then black primer, and then bare metal.
I have to admit it is MUCH easier preparing the bare metal wing for painting because you don't have to blend all those damaged areas.
I love watching your progress on your project as I will have some wood to deal with when I get to the XK120.
Pilkie said:
Had to use a stripper on the last front wing of my 2000TC today as someone had brush painted yellow zinc oxide over evrything, I presume as a preservative. Underneath I found the original white and then black primer, and then bare metal.
I have to admit it is MUCH easier preparing the bare metal wing for painting because you don't have to blend all those damaged areas.
I love watching your progress on your project as I will have some wood to deal with when I get to the XK120.
Pilkie
Active Member
Re: My 1954 MG TF1500 project.The bodywork starts!!
Just checked out my bargain ebay win set of 5 steel wheels, "@.24p each + £8.80 for a drink"!
4 are near perfectly true when spun up,and one has a slight wobble to it,so can be kept as a spare.
Rust is all superficial,and mainly on the section that is inside when tyre is on,the side that shows and the brake drum side only need minor rust removal.
I am tempted to get them stove enamelled or powdercoated at about £30-£50 a wheel!!
I will get one in the sandblaster and see how it comes up when painted,then decide!
Just checked out my bargain ebay win set of 5 steel wheels, "@.24p each + £8.80 for a drink"!
4 are near perfectly true when spun up,and one has a slight wobble to it,so can be kept as a spare.
Rust is all superficial,and mainly on the section that is inside when tyre is on,the side that shows and the brake drum side only need minor rust removal.
I am tempted to get them stove enamelled or powdercoated at about £30-£50 a wheel!!
I will get one in the sandblaster and see how it comes up when painted,then decide!
Pilkie
Active Member
Re: My 1954 MG TF1500 project.The bodywork starts!!
Finally,all the sections of wood have been fettled,filed,fitted,drilled,screwed,removed,trimmed, sanded,refitted,removed,treated and then final fitting!! :|
Surprising how long it takes to get it all fitting as close to as it should be,or as it was.
I still have to round over the metal edges and panel pin them down,"need to get some s/s or treated ones",but the edges of the wood make this easy,and give a nice edge finish as well.
Can nitromorse the rest of the old paint off the tub and knock back to bare metal tomorrow,and give the doors a trial fit,just to make sure they do still fit,once the tub is secured to the chassis.
Finally,all the sections of wood have been fettled,filed,fitted,drilled,screwed,removed,trimmed, sanded,refitted,removed,treated and then final fitting!! :|
Surprising how long it takes to get it all fitting as close to as it should be,or as it was.
I still have to round over the metal edges and panel pin them down,"need to get some s/s or treated ones",but the edges of the wood make this easy,and give a nice edge finish as well.
Can nitromorse the rest of the old paint off the tub and knock back to bare metal tomorrow,and give the doors a trial fit,just to make sure they do still fit,once the tub is secured to the chassis.
Pilkie
Active Member
Re: My 1954 MG TF1500 project.The bodywork starts!!
I will use whatever is available that is strong,wont rust and designed to stay in! :wink:
Popping up B&Q today to see whats what!
Looks like some of the old ones I took out actually bent when being put in,as the wood is quite hard!!
Small 3/8" large head tacks were used to fit any vinyl trimmings to the wood,so will source something suitable for that job as well.
I will use whatever is available that is strong,wont rust and designed to stay in! :wink:
Popping up B&Q today to see whats what!
Looks like some of the old ones I took out actually bent when being put in,as the wood is quite hard!!
Small 3/8" large head tacks were used to fit any vinyl trimmings to the wood,so will source something suitable for that job as well.
Pilkie
Active Member
Re: My 1954 MG TF1500 project.The bodywork starts!!
Hi all.
Been a while since I posted about the MG,so heres the progress so far.
Spent most of the last few weeks fettling,stripping the panels,dressing out minor dints,and sorting a major kink in one of the doors,inbetween car shows,and if I wasnt too knackered after work!
I booked the car in with my painter for delivery to the workshop today,so at least I had a target to meet.
Thankfully I managed to do all that I could do,the rest is up to Dean to do his magic on.
While using a flapper disc to strip the doors,it disintegrated,taking a chunk out of my thumb,and a flying section managed to find the TR6's rear,o/s wing and take a chunk out of that as well!! :cry:
Fortunately,as part of the MG deal,Dean is repainting the bootlid of the TR,so for a bit extra drinkies,I will get him to do the damaged wing,d/s door shut tread,and rear deck that also need minor repairs.
After searching the info on the original colour,"Autumn red",and colour codes,I have chosen the red req.
This pic is as close to original as you can get today!!
Mine will be painted the same red."RD06" with probably the same colour trim,but no wire wheels.
Some pics of the MG,but all are on the link in my signature.
Luckilly it fitted perfectly in my mates tranny van!!
Tomorrow I will be trial fitting the donor 1970's MG Midget 1500tc recon engine and box into the chassis,and working out how to retrofit a hydraulic system for the clutch,if I cant adapt the rod setup!!!
Hi all.
Been a while since I posted about the MG,so heres the progress so far.
Spent most of the last few weeks fettling,stripping the panels,dressing out minor dints,and sorting a major kink in one of the doors,inbetween car shows,and if I wasnt too knackered after work!
I booked the car in with my painter for delivery to the workshop today,so at least I had a target to meet.
Thankfully I managed to do all that I could do,the rest is up to Dean to do his magic on.
While using a flapper disc to strip the doors,it disintegrated,taking a chunk out of my thumb,and a flying section managed to find the TR6's rear,o/s wing and take a chunk out of that as well!! :cry:
Fortunately,as part of the MG deal,Dean is repainting the bootlid of the TR,so for a bit extra drinkies,I will get him to do the damaged wing,d/s door shut tread,and rear deck that also need minor repairs.
After searching the info on the original colour,"Autumn red",and colour codes,I have chosen the red req.
This pic is as close to original as you can get today!!
Mine will be painted the same red."RD06" with probably the same colour trim,but no wire wheels.
Some pics of the MG,but all are on the link in my signature.
Luckilly it fitted perfectly in my mates tranny van!!
Tomorrow I will be trial fitting the donor 1970's MG Midget 1500tc recon engine and box into the chassis,and working out how to retrofit a hydraulic system for the clutch,if I cant adapt the rod setup!!!
JVY
Active Member
Re: My 1954 MG TF1500 project.The bodywork starts!!
Literally blood sweat and tears going into this now. Is that the neighborhood fox taking an interest in the project or did he just come round to see if he could find your missing thumb part ?. Handy to know you can fit a TF in a transit too. Reckon sticking with steel wheels will be a nice original touch (thinking steel wheels were standard on this car?). Careful with that angle grinder - they are a bit scary when something like that happens. The colour should look great. I'm not a huge fan of red but deep red or maroon I do like very much - reckon it suits any classic as much as BRG.
Literally blood sweat and tears going into this now. Is that the neighborhood fox taking an interest in the project or did he just come round to see if he could find your missing thumb part ?
. Handy to know you can fit a TF in a transit too. Reckon sticking with steel wheels will be a nice original touch (thinking steel wheels were standard on this car?). Careful with that angle grinder - they are a bit scary when something like that happens. The colour should look great. I'm not a huge fan of red but deep red or maroon I do like very much - reckon it suits any classic as much as BRG.
Pilkie
Active Member
Re: MG TF1500 project.Body at painters,so eng/box can go in.
Today saw the donor eng/box united with the chassis for the 1st time!!
I was a little concerned as to how it would fit relative to the steering column,engine bay body side panels,etc etc,but my calculations for length width height of a donor unit seem to have worked out very well indeed.
A simple modification of the original gearbox mount will do that job,removal of fuel pump,fit a blanking plate and replace with a leccy one sorts the steering column issue,a U shaped metal framework will bolt solidly to the donor engs mount points,then to the original rubber eng mount on the chassis,just got to work out its shape and fabricate it!!
The TF's original propshaft was used in conjunction with the donor gearbox end UJ yolk,as it slid on the splines perfectly and that solved the issue of differing prop axle/box connecting points!
Prop length once mountings are done will be near perfect!
A few other issues to sort out as I go,and after a good play today,ive got a good idea of what needs to be done,but will try to solve them 1 at a time!
Once all these issues have been sorted out to fit right,it will all have to be taken apart,cleaned and painted then reassembled!
AND! The painted body tub comes back next weekend! :|
Its gonna be a busy week!!
Right time for a relax in the bath and food!!
Today saw the donor eng/box united with the chassis for the 1st time!!
I was a little concerned as to how it would fit relative to the steering column,engine bay body side panels,etc etc,but my calculations for length width height of a donor unit seem to have worked out very well indeed.
A simple modification of the original gearbox mount will do that job,removal of fuel pump,fit a blanking plate and replace with a leccy one sorts the steering column issue,a U shaped metal framework will bolt solidly to the donor engs mount points,then to the original rubber eng mount on the chassis,just got to work out its shape and fabricate it!!
The TF's original propshaft was used in conjunction with the donor gearbox end UJ yolk,as it slid on the splines perfectly and that solved the issue of differing prop axle/box connecting points!
Prop length once mountings are done will be near perfect!
A few other issues to sort out as I go,and after a good play today,ive got a good idea of what needs to be done,but will try to solve them 1 at a time!
Once all these issues have been sorted out to fit right,it will all have to be taken apart,cleaned and painted then reassembled!
AND! The painted body tub comes back next weekend! :|
Its gonna be a busy week!!
Right time for a relax in the bath and food!!
Pilkie
Active Member
Re: MG TF1500 project.Body at painters,so eng/box can go in.
I have now made an engine mount bracket!!
From a cardboard template to a finished,fettled,cut,welded,shaped and painted metal bracket that works a treat.
FYI,,
The bracket bolts direct to the donor engine mounts,and then via the captive bolts at the bottom to the chassis mounted original rubber engine mount block!
I will also have to adapt the original side mounted stabilizer bar to stop it rocking too much.
I have also sorted out how to convert from a rod clutch to hydraulic,,ive fitted an MGA dual brake/clutch master cylinder "old unit used to test theory and for lining up" that fits to original brake master mount points,and by using a RHD brake pedal adapted with a bit of a bend to align it and a slight bend of the clutch pedal rod pivot point,they should both work well.
My bruv is making up 2 x 10mm alloy spacer rings for the box-prop-diff joints as I needed to gain 2cm to align eng and box mounts better.
Engine and box both degreased,cleaned,,cleaning the ancilliaries and the carbs and manifold ready for painting.
Bought a pair of nice chrome pancake filters.
Hopefully will have all that done and installed before the bodytub comes back.
There has been the inevitable delay at the painters,as 2 cars booked in before me,a 60's Alfa GTV ex rally and MK1 Escort rally replica took a little longer than expected.
Still plenty to do while the tubs away,would be nice to get it to a driving chassis state rather than a rolling chassis!!
I have now made an engine mount bracket!!
From a cardboard template to a finished,fettled,cut,welded,shaped and painted metal bracket that works a treat.
FYI,,
The bracket bolts direct to the donor engine mounts,and then via the captive bolts at the bottom to the chassis mounted original rubber engine mount block!
I will also have to adapt the original side mounted stabilizer bar to stop it rocking too much.
I have also sorted out how to convert from a rod clutch to hydraulic,,ive fitted an MGA dual brake/clutch master cylinder "old unit used to test theory and for lining up" that fits to original brake master mount points,and by using a RHD brake pedal adapted with a bit of a bend to align it and a slight bend of the clutch pedal rod pivot point,they should both work well.
My bruv is making up 2 x 10mm alloy spacer rings for the box-prop-diff joints as I needed to gain 2cm to align eng and box mounts better.
Engine and box both degreased,cleaned,,cleaning the ancilliaries and the carbs and manifold ready for painting.
Bought a pair of nice chrome pancake filters.
Hopefully will have all that done and installed before the bodytub comes back.
There has been the inevitable delay at the painters,as 2 cars booked in before me,a 60's Alfa GTV ex rally and MK1 Escort rally replica took a little longer than expected.
Still plenty to do while the tubs away,would be nice to get it to a driving chassis state rather than a rolling chassis!!