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MG MGA - LHD to RHD conversion (and back)

Hi folks, newbie here - I've tried the search function but couldn't find anything on this (probably using it wrongly).
I'm thinking of converting from LHD to RHD. The kits seem easily available and the amount of work doesn't sound too much - how long would it actually take to do please? hours, days?
And could I leave the bracket for the steering column in place on the side without the steering to make it easier to go back to LHD at a future date (which I might want to)
Thanks
Richard
R Brown

Have you looked at the MGA Guru website. Incredible level of information available thanks to Barney
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/care/cf201.htm
Graham V

Having done this in both directions, I can say that the job on it's own is simple. It's doable in a single day if the car is straight, you stay focused and have a helping hand, a weekend is easily achievable on your own with all the right tools and a few tricks. But when the dashboard is out and the pedal box dismantled you will inevitably get sidetracked with a few "might as well"s. The job is MUCH easier with an extra set of hands.

In addition to the parts on Barney's I would add

1. New Pedal bellows (usually the old one is a sticky mess when extracted)
2. Seal for steering column through the firewall (usually the hole is pretty ratty, or the rubber is hard and brittle and falls to bits). You will need TWO of these (both sides are the same apart form the metal cover).
3. MC rebuild kit (while it's out and easily accessible... you see, we're off on the might-as-well's already)

You don't need (unless obsessive about originality - problem is then finding an original RHD rack!)
a. Choke or starter cables (just leave them in their current positions)
b. LHD Speedo cable works fine for RHD, it's just a little bit longer.

Next on the might-as-well list should be the coupe under-dash panel, which NTG often has at a reasonable price. It's impossible to fit this with the dash in place.

And of course this is the moment to sort out any dodgy wiring behind the dashboard.

The best technical tip is to remove the cap at the bottom end of the rack, and withdraw the steering column downwards (separated from the UJ). This avoids the need to remove the front chassis extension and front bumper to get the rack out. Of course you may need to remove the extension anyway to fit the repro RH rack, but as I have never seen one of these in the flesh, I can't comment on that (I have LHD installed and a full RHD original kit in the attic).

Getting the front extension off can be tricky if anything isn't exactly in it's original position due to slight accident damage or a budget restoration, so look before you start to check that all bolts are reachable, not trapped by an inner wing or other obstruction.

The steering column brackets are only held in place by four bolts, two at the top, two at the firewall. It is easier to remove these with the brackets and collars still attached to the steering tube than to mess around with the collars. I would suspect that the brackets are not available new. This allows you to remove the steering wheel with the entire upper column too.

I'd suggest that the risk of might-as-wells makes this a job for the autumn........
dominic clancy

Many thanks - just the answer I was after! Definitely easy enough to convert in either direction if serious European touring is desired.
R Brown

This thread was discussed between 30/05/2016 and 01/06/2016

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