MGB Crossmember Removal & odd hatch glass leak

[niva441]

Hi All

Having had my BGT bodywork restored last year I'm now looking forward to continuing the Forth Bridge style program (now that's an out of date reference) of renovating and upgrading the other systems. Next on the list for this winter is the suspension. Ideally I'd also like to strip and clean up the front crossmember. However I'd like to do this without removing the engine. Is it possible to support the engine and body allowing the crossmember and suspension to be removed?

Also the rain the weekend before the Spa 6 hours highlighted an unusual water leak. No sign of it when the hatch is down, however when I lift the tailgate water comes out of the heated windscreen wiring hole. Obviously I'd like to avoid refitting the screen, does anyone have any idea where the water could be getting in?

Thanks for looking.

Todd

[MG CHRIS]

In work with me we have engine brases that mount onto the edge of the front wings and you hold the engine on to it like a engine craine im sure you could buy or hire something similar.

As for the leak ive no idea.

[wildoliver]

Yes.

Look for a rust hole in the tailgate seal surround.

[niva441]

Thanks for the information gents.

I'll have to look into engine supports, that sounds neater than the lines I was thinking along. I was thinking of supporting the body and engine separately, supporting the engine using the edge of the sump pan.

Oliver I take it you're referring to the chrome insert. This probably is the source, as when I had the bodywork restored I put a new seal in, but the chrome seals weren't available, so I had to find a reasonable condition second hand. Hopefully anyway as anything else will mean removing the hatch glass and resealing.

[saxxeblt]

The engine is bolted to the body not the front cross member, as long as the body is on axle stands you can you can drop the cross member.
But I'd unbolt the springs first and partially or completely strip the spring pans in situ before dropping.
HTH

[wildoliver]

No not referring to the trim. If you lift the lid up you will see a rubber seal on the hidden inside edge of the bootlid, this will often cover up bad rust, if its rusted through then its perfectly possible that waters getting inside the panel and then when lifting the tailgate running out of the hole.

Your crossmember really isn't hard, if you remove the steering rack and brake pipes first support the body on 2 jacks and crack off the 4 big nuts and studs that hold it to the body it will allow you to lift the body up away from it, slide it out then support the body/engine etc. on some stands/old tyres/small child or anything else handy.

[niva441]

Am I right in thinking you mean the seal around the top edge of the tailgate, between the tailgate and bodywork?

If so I had to refit that a few months ago as the bodyshop didn't reassemble it properly. The tailgate all looked sound around it, but I'll have another look at it when I get home.

Removing the crossmember sounds a lot more straightforward than I expected.

[terenceb]

When you get around to refitting the Xmember,could be worth while in replacing the rubber insulation blocks with alloy of the same thickness.Makes the front end a little more responsive.

[niva441]

Thanks for the tip, not something I'd considered, I'll have to remember it when it comes to reassembling the car. Not that I'm close to working on it yet!