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MG Midget and Sprite General - MK1 Sprite rear bulkhead

I need to weld in the inner closing panel to the rear bulkhead on my Frog. I have a panel, but suspect it may need to be modified before I fit it. I have an idea, but may have imagined it, that on the early 1/4 eliptic cars the rear inner bulkhead has holes to give access to the two front bolts that secure the spring. Is this right?

On the later bulkheads the panel has a pressing that extends over the front of the spring aperture.(see photo). So do I need to get the snips out to adapt it? Anyone got a photo showing the correct bulkhead before the L shaped cover piece is bolted in position over it??


Guy

No-one got any help to offer on this one?

Looking at the official Workshop Manual it only makes a brief reference to removing/ refitting the springs, saying that they bolt on with two setcrews from underneath at the front, locating into captive nuts in the top leaf. So in that case if access to the top nuts is not needed, perhaps this area is supposed to be sealed at the inside bulkhead?

Does the L shaped cover piece weld or bolt on?
Guy

Guy,
Sorry, I can't help, I have never had mine off, so can't tell you what size holes are under the L shaped bracket. There are two small holes in the vertical part of the bracket as you might see. The bracket is held on by bolts and body caulk.

Bryan Durham

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2203663/1967-mg-td

Guy,
Have you seen Petger Plouf's web page? he is almost finished with the restoration of a VERY badly rusted Frogeye and has posted a lot of pictures on his site.

Bryan
Bryan Durham

Thanks Bryan,
It's all part of the picture!
I have used Peter's restoration photos extensively but unfortunately he must have forgotten his camera on that particular day! He has a photo very similar to yours showing the L shaped bracket after fitting, but not one immediately before that to show what is hidden underneath!

Both yours and his confirm that the L shaped bracket is a bolt-on, implying that it is intended to be able to remove it. If the bulkhead beneath is as the one in my photo, then removing the bracket wouldn't reveal anything. So from this I would assume that the bulkhead should have an access hole in it to reveal the tops of the two front mounting bolts for the spring. OTOH, an access hole there would allow road crud to work its way inside the car and into the floor strengthening member.

Can anyone confirm this?
Guy

Hi
The spring is held in position at its forward end by two bolts that go up from underneath. They pass through the spring into what I would describe as a captivating plate.
The L shaped top hat panel was originally spot welded in position but some restored cars have bolt heads visible where new rear suspension towers have been bolted on prior to welding.
Alan.
A Anstead

Problem solved, with the help of an old friend ;-)
Guy

Thanks Alan, (just cross-posted there)

It seems to me that either method would work. And there are pros and cons.

If the L shaped bracket is seen as a removable access point, then I need to notch the inner bulkhead to give access to the "Captivating plate". This is how it ius shown in Lindsay Porters' Guide to restoration. .. .
But the downside is more ingress of road crud into the car's vital structures.

The alternative is to rely on being able to secure the springs using the "Captivating plate" inserted from the rear (ouch). In this case the inner panel could be left intact, effectively sealing the forward end of the spring mounting cavity. The L shaped bracket then doesn't need to be removable and can be welded in position for greater reinforcing strength. So was this the original form of construction?
Guy

Hi
I am just off out for the evening but if you mail me at firstname dot last name at btopenworld.com I can send you a couple of photos, tomorrow, that might assist. They are from a rebuild I did in the 80's.
Alan.
A Anstead

Thanks for the offer Alan,
You have an e-mail

Guy
Guy

Guy, you could always put in a bulkhead like the one the PO put in my early 64 MK 1. Granted it isn't what you need but it is stylish.

TS Dougherty

LOL ! Very good. I rather like the dismembered hand fixed to the boot lid.
Guy

I'll take some pics of mine this week and post them on here. Might be a couple of days though.

Paul
Paul Barnes

Thanks Paul, but l have made my decision on this and done that bit now. I didn't notch the heelboard, but welded it in and sealed the spring box as l think it is supposed to be. Of that isn't as original, then l think it is an improvement anyway !
Guy

This thread was discussed between 02/04/2011 and 06/04/2011

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