MG
The Classic Marque

That's exactly what mine are Guy. Double wire band. The original ones on the car.

I think if I kept screwing it tighter, the clamping force is so great, I'd either strip the thread or cut right through the rubber.

I've even tried using petrol resistant pu sealant under the neck ends. No difference.

It's impossible to pin point where in my boot the smell originates.
...

Your spring clip solution looks a good idea for when the glass is removed.

Photo 1 conrod stamped 1 is XPEG
Photo 2 conrod on left is XPEG

You can`t see it but the XPEG rod is substantially
meatier than the XPAG. You can also see the difference in the cap bolt heads.
As I said earlier, the only reason I can think of is to change the the top piston rings. The 72mm piston will not pass down past the crank like the standard bore XPAG.
Ray TF 2884...

I cut a spring steel fixing as shown. I then ground the centre web out on each side of the old screw hole.
The cut part of the spring steel clip is retained in place by the windscreen seal, although you could put a drop of super glue to retain it. Don't forget to cut the point off the stainless steel self tapper. Points and glass don't get on together.

This is the view from the inside of the frame which shows just how little alluminium there is to retain the screw thread.
See next comment to see how I fixed the problem.

the head of the bolt has a flat machined on it, The flat rests against a flat on the con rad preventing it from turning when tightened. It allows the bolt to be very close to the journal without weakening the big end eye.
The 1500 has another flat to clear the bore (I think)
does that explain it OK
Ray TF 2884

My ignorance is showing. I don't understand "one flat" and "two flat." Can you post a picture? Thanks. Jud

All 8 rod bolts have been deliberately machined in this way,it is deliberate. The machining exactly matches the con rod machining to the bore. This is not somebodies bodge.
I always fit new cap bolts/nuts when rebuilding engines.They are expensive but my friend has found that a new billet crank is vastly more expensive.
The 1500 engine is fragile, the factory allowed only one 20 thou re-bore...

I wonder if the wire type of clip might seal better than the jubilee banded ones? I believe the wire ones were OEM. And the design would put a greater pinching pressure when they are tightened.

Hi, I'm sorry to have not responded quickly, but my 91 year old body got zapped into 5 hours worth of iron blood today. I'll be back tomorrow morning to catch up where I was. Yes, I have a stock points plate to install in place of the Pertronix LU-146LS. I have to have this functioning by Saturday's parade. Bud