MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - IGNITION WIRE SUGGESTIONS

I am putting on some final finishing touches on my restoration and I need some suggestions for a nice, as original as possible set of ignition wires. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions.
DAVE SALTER

Hi Dave. Actually you might not want original style ignition cables. The cables made in the 50's used solid wire conductors, with rubber or plastic based insulation. The wires worked, but had several serious problems. The insulation was extremely poor, and high voltage current leaks from the cables were common. If you touched the insulation on these cables, you often got a nasty electrical shock! If the ignition cables were improperly routed, or too close together, crossfire could occur. High voltage meant for one cylinder would jump to a nearby cable causing the wrong sparkplug to fire out of turn! Additionally, these cables had no radio interference suppression. So listening to the radio with the engine running was pretty much out of the question. Modern cables use carbon cores or even more exotic conductors. The insulation is usually high tech silicone or hypalon, and ends cable leakage. Cables are available in a matt black finish, which is I believe correct for out MGA's. I would buy a set of inexpensive 4 cylinder generic black high performance ignition cables from a speed shop. Cut them to length, and re use the proper spark plug connectors from your stock cables. (the stock angled spark plug connectors simply screw into the end of the cables. Hope this helps! Glenn
Glenn

Thanks thats probably what I'll do. I guess it's the spark plug connectors that I am really interested in. Does anyone have any suggestions on what would be a go orginal match?
RD SALTER

This thread was discussed between 30/03/2005 and 02/04/2005

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.