MG Sports Cars

engine swaps and other performance upgrades, plus "factory" and Costello V8s

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J Man
jason adkins
NW OH
(202 posts)

Registered:
01/21/2009 08:49PM

Main British Car:
'61 Morris Minor panel, '70 MGB GT, '74 MGB GT MGB 1.8, unsure yet on the GTs

MGB patch panels?
Posted by: J Man
Date: August 01, 2010 06:53PM

I picked up a MGB GT and it needs a few patches, any recommendations of where to do my shopping? Thanks


bplus
Tracy Moore
Jacksonville, Fl
(40 posts)

Registered:
11/24/2008 06:36PM

Main British Car:
71' MGB GT 350 Chevrolet

Re: MGB patch panels?
Posted by: bplus
Date: August 01, 2010 09:06PM

Bought some from Moss a few years back, they fit very nicely, if
you're talking the usual lowers.


J Man
jason adkins
NW OH
(202 posts)

Registered:
01/21/2009 08:49PM

Main British Car:
'61 Morris Minor panel, '70 MGB GT, '74 MGB GT MGB 1.8, unsure yet on the GTs

Re: MGB patch panels?
Posted by: J Man
Date: August 01, 2010 09:12PM

So far yes.
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rficalora
Rob Ficalora
Willis, TX
(2764 posts)

Registered:
10/24/2007 02:46PM

Main British Car:
'76 MGB w/CB front, Sebring rear, early metal dash Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: MGB patch panels?
Posted by: rficalora
Date: August 01, 2010 09:24PM

When you call places to inquire ask whether their panels are the black british motor heritage or redish other brand. I used the red ones for mine & they're typically a little less expensive, but I've read posts from a bunch of folks who say the black bmh ones are a bitter fit so require less work for a good job.


bplus
Tracy Moore
Jacksonville, Fl
(40 posts)

Registered:
11/24/2008 06:36PM

Main British Car:
71' MGB GT 350 Chevrolet

Re: MGB patch panels?
Posted by: bplus
Date: August 01, 2010 10:06PM

Spot on Rob, mine were black


Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4577 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: MGB patch panels?
Posted by: Moderator
Date: August 02, 2010 02:58AM

IMHO, the "Made-in-England" panels are definitely preferable. Rather than just going by what color they're painted, it might be helpful (or interesting) to know a bit about who makes and distributes them. Here's an article about the distributor: British Motor Heritage

And here's a paragraph from deep inside that article about who actually makes the patch panels:
Quote:
What if you only need a patch panel? British Motor Heritage is also the exclusive distributor of the UK-made "Steelcraft" range. What's the difference? The Steelcraft brand is known for economical patch panels that can be welded into larger assemblies for rust repair, etc. Steelcraft parts are manufactured in the UK by Taylor Pressform Ltd. Production started in 1974, and about 400 different parts are currently produced. How can the number be that large? For one thing, Steelcraft also makes a lot of simple and less cosmetically important stampings (such as the backing plate for MGB front disc brakes.) Please note that Steelcraft parts are NOT made on original factory/production tooling. Steelcraft parts are clearly labeled "Steelcraft".


J Man
jason adkins
NW OH
(202 posts)

Registered:
01/21/2009 08:49PM

Main British Car:
'61 Morris Minor panel, '70 MGB GT, '74 MGB GT MGB 1.8, unsure yet on the GTs

Re: MGB patch panels?
Posted by: J Man
Date: August 02, 2010 09:04AM

So who actually sells these higher quality patches (other than Moss)? The sources I was finding were for the whole panel and I have a hard time justifying the cost of a $600+ 1/4 panel on a $400 car when I only need the bottom/front 4" of it.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/02/2010 09:05AM by J Man.



Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4577 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: MGB patch panels?
Posted by: Moderator
Date: August 02, 2010 08:20PM

Moss would be my first choice... but for patch panels (and for Heritage bodyshells) I think "The Roadster Factory" might be the best bet. They list and illustrate the patch panels in their catalog.


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4516 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: MGB patch panels?
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: August 02, 2010 09:11PM

How about these?

[www.mgexperience.net]


J Man
jason adkins
NW OH
(202 posts)

Registered:
01/21/2009 08:49PM

Main British Car:
'61 Morris Minor panel, '70 MGB GT, '74 MGB GT MGB 1.8, unsure yet on the GTs

Re: MGB patch panels?
Posted by: J Man
Date: December 15, 2011 07:05PM

Bringing this back up, Do the American companies that sell patches (Moss, Roadster Factory, etc.) actually keep them in stock or would I have to wait for them to be shipped over from England?


rficalora
Rob Ficalora
Willis, TX
(2764 posts)

Registered:
10/24/2007 02:46PM

Main British Car:
'76 MGB w/CB front, Sebring rear, early metal dash Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: MGB patch panels?
Posted by: rficalora
Date: December 15, 2011 11:03PM

The almost always have the rust repair panels in stock.
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Bill Young
Bill Young
Kansas City, MO
(1337 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 09:23AM

Main British Car:
'73 MG Midget V6 , '59 MGA I6 2.8 GM, 4.0 Jeep

authors avatar
Re: MGB patch panels?
Posted by: Bill Young
Date: December 16, 2011 08:45AM

Jason, also don't forget that many patches are small enough to form yourself if there aren't any complicaterd compound curves or flanges on them. It may be best to replace the whole area, but not absolutely necessary if the rust hasn't spread too far and can be chemically treated so that it won't reappear. On my MGA I used some aftermarket repair panels but also formed a lot of the smaller areas myself and saved quite a bit.


classic conversions
bill guzman

(294 posts)

Registered:
01/09/2008 01:58AM

Main British Car:
Re: MGB patch panels?
Posted by: classic conversions
Date: December 18, 2011 05:50PM

After I saw the prices of the replacement panels I decided to make my own. As per Bill you can do your own panel, even if they have complex curves, trust it can be done.

I could not find any inner fender panels to plug the holes where the headers exit in my GT so I made my own using 22 gauge sheet metal. These pieces have some compound curves (yes keep it clean Jason)
see the pictures
DSC04508.jpg
Picture 046.jpg


classic conversions
bill guzman

(294 posts)

Registered:
01/09/2008 01:58AM

Main British Car:
Re: MGB patch panels?
Posted by: classic conversions
Date: December 18, 2011 05:56PM

This piece was the most difficult, about 2 hours including the welding. The repair was to replace a bad and quick repair when the car was a racing GT

Just take your time to make the pieces.

DSC04518.jpg
DSC04520.jpg
Picture 045.jpg


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