Right hand fuel line bracket

[360gts]

Seems like a bit of controversy regarding which bulkhead plate was used on the early dry suspension cars for the fuel line to go through So, here we go, cars with twin carbs ...apparently, had the same plate as the right engine steady bard plate with a larger hole for the fuel line grommet......if this is the case...what was the size of the hole that was enlarged for the fuel line/grommet???

Anyone have a better idea as to whether this was correct!!!
A couple of pictures to help illustrate what I am referring to:
First picture is a shot of the two plates that...might have been used on the early twin carb cars.
Second picture is a shot of the various plates that were used on single carb and twin carb setups..dry and wet cars.

[1071bob]

A few more pictures to prove my point Dermott.

The late Steve Smiths '63 1071.

Another 1071 sold on e-bay years ago

March '64 1071


The fuel grommet in the parts book is RFR104 if anybody can translate that into a size.

[R&R]

I have some of these, I'll measure it for you tomorrow.

[Spider]

The fuel grommet in the parts book is RFR104 if anybody can translate that into a size.

1/2" hole with a 1/4" through hole, for 16 gauge material thickness.

It was a common grommet used on a number of cars, including the Mini.

Got a P/N on the bracket?

[1071bob]

Thanks Spider, The hole in the plate from my car is 5/8" and the plate part number is 24A 442 [from AKD 3510]

[360gts]

Have no reason to doubt Bob regarding what his pictures show.
I was looking at all of the plates available...even this from the 997/998 parts catalogue AKD1933
Item 29 is P/N 14A6733 and item 30 is P/N14A1634.
I just found that part Bob in AKD3510...thanks...however, now I am starting to understand why I don't have THAT part on my 1071.
According to AKD3510...it was only fitted up to LHD Vin KA2S4 553266....my 1071 is a bit after that.
I assume they fitted the later plate to 1071's after 553266!

[Spider]

Thanks Spider, The hole in the plate from my car is 5/8" and the plate part number is 24A 442 [from AKD 3510]

Cheers. I looked in there, but couldn't find it!

[Toby]

Dermott, the plate that hold the grommet for the fuel line will be slightly larger than the one the doesn't. So much that the one for the engine steady can ist inside the other plate even.

[360gts]

Toby...not sure I understand...do you have a picture?
Cheers
D

[R&R]

Hi Dermot,

I've checked my plate from a Feb 64 1275. It is based on the early engine steady plate No.3 in your original post, and the hole is about 5/8" according to my ruler.

Toby, in Dermot's picture number 3 will fit inside number 6! The fuel line bracket I have here is based on number 3, and will also fit inside a number 6!!

Nice distraction for my lunch hour!

[360gts]

Thanks for the Feb 64 info.
Here are some more pictures of the scenario....it would appear that they did use the engine steady bracket on the LH side for the fuel line (with the larger hole) however, still wondering what was used after VIN553206!!! This is where my car fits...it was built with a 563XXX Vin on June 29th 64.

1st pictures show how the earlier steady bar bracket will fit inside the later one.
Next two show how the heater hose plate fits inside both of the engine steady bar plate.

[360gts]

OK...might have solved the issue of which plate was used on the 1071 after VIN 553206...most likely they used the same one as was used prior to that VIN.
AKD3510 Page BA 3 shows more of these plates.
The text on BA4 change points....shows item 7 being used from VIN 553207 on....however...it also notes that this is 1275 S
No mention of the 1071.
So, did they just continue using plate 21A442?....probably. maybe! Anyone have any other thoughts on this?
Attaching the pages from AKD3510.

[1071bob]

I wouldn't take these change over points too seriously Dermott, they would have fitted whatever was on the assembly line at the time. These brackets are rarely removed from the car in normal service so unless your car has been rebuilt at some stage in its life I would believe in what you have fitted is correct. For the record the original plates from my car are both the same size, I'm not sure when or why the larger plates came about, maybe a update to give the m/cylinder mounting flange a bit more room?

[360gts]

I totally agree Bob....however, we need to keep as close to the documentation as we can.
As I said...I am assuming the 1071 retained the original plates (and other parts) till the end of production...again..an assumption...but that is all we have at this time.
I had no idea there was a difference in these two plate till I set one on top of the other!!
I found a few of these grommets that fit a 5/8" hole with a 1/4" inside hole....these appear to be the the grommets they used.
Someone else suggested they had a red grommet in the plate for the hose....

[Toby]

Dermott they look like the grommets that are used in the bracket on top of the rocker cover for the throttle cable to pass through

[360gts]

Yes, they are from the throttle pedal cable plate...someone suggested these...
I just located some NOS grommets that are the correct ones for the fuel line.
Have all the bits now to finish this project...I think! LOL!!!!!!

[Toby]

The ones you are after are fairly small, black, flat with rounded off edges. I'll post picture of it this evening.

[360gts]

I think we have pretty well covered all of the issues with this fuel line bracket/grommet.
I am pleased with what I have learned....I thought I knew a lot about these cars...not so!
It just shows how little we really do know (IMO) about change points and parts swopping etc.
Over the years there has been a lot of BMC bashing...owners sort of using and justifying the replacement of parts to restore their cars.
In all fairness, BMC did document just about everything they did...they were a union shop...
If you have had the opportunity to look at the old hand written registries at the heritage center you will agree....it is quite breathtaking when you look at those ledgers.
All handwritten with explanations for each individual car....might be so bold to say...many of the people who wrote those lines are no longer with us.
So, in summary, thanks to all of the members who contributed to this thread....hope this was a learning experience for ...not just the senior members...but more importantly...the younger restorers who want to do it right.