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MG MGA - Oh, the horror!

I thought I would post an update on the MGA tear-down, I spent most of the day Saturday working on the car.

I was able to get the windscreen and dashboard removed without too much issue except for the fact there are 800 wires going to the dash! Found the DPO had broken the starter cable and just tied some electrical wire to the starter and a bracket under the dash. That would have been a challenge to figure out!

It looks like the instruments are in great shape and I was able to verify that the speedometer and the temperature gauge both work.

I picked up a 4 1/2" grinder and some flap-type sanding disks last week, so I decided to try them out. Hmmm, now I know why the car was repainted dark blue, it was to cover up the black right front fender and right-side door, as well as the red right rear fender (the rest of the car was originally Glacier Blue). That also explains why the door sill looks better on that side.

The PO must have used the Braille driving method because the RR fender needs replacing again (see picture). I'm definitely going to have to check the frame straightness.

I was able to grind off the mounting studs for the front bumper (the three I broke) and prep the frame so I can weld in the new ones I got from Eclectic. I was putting off buying a welder, but it looks like I may need to pick one up sooner than I planned.

I almost have the heater removed, but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to get to the top screw on the vent tube underneath the dash.

Cheers!


MGA Larry

Larry,
Are you referring to the three screws that hold the outlets to the heater box? I've done several heater R&Rs and don't recall these being a problem to remove. A bit more difficult to replace. Once you have two screws out you should be able to rotate the outlet a bit. This might help gain clearance.

Good luck.
Gerry

PS: who took a hammer to your fender? Ouch!
G T Foster

Hi Gerry,

This would be the second replacement fender for the car since this one is definitely not original. Like I said, the previous owner must have driven by Braille.

For some reason, the top screw holding the left outlet tube on is behind one of the captive nuts and I'm having a devil of a time getting to it. I'm sure if I play with it enough I'll get it, but it's just being a pain. Being at the top, rotating the tube doesn't help at all.

Thanks for the suggestions.
MGA Larry

Hi Larry,
Actually there are not that many wires going to the dash - most of the wires go across the dash from instrument to instrument via the switches. The dash can be prewired on the bench before installing, and then the supply, ignition, and ground wires attached. Be carefull with the capillary tube to the water temp gauge - the bulb comes off the engine first, and the pipe remains fixed to the instrument. If you break it, the gauge is toast! Also remove the oil pressure pipe at the back of the same instrument.
One wonders how the rear right wing got that way!
Peter.
P. Tilbury

Hi Peter,
I was able to pull everything dash-related without breakage and confirmed after removal that the temp gauge works by heating up the bulb. I also cut off the end of the speedometer cable and put it in my drill to verify the speedometer works (the cable was shot anyway). I appreciate the tip on prewiring the dash before assembly, I'm sure that will save a lot of time.

I have a lot of questions about this car, the fender being one near the top of the list. I emailed the previous owner to try to find out more on the history but so far have not heard back.

Does anyone have photos of the wiring in place on the dash? Or should I just wait for my copy of "Original MGA" to arrive?
MGA Larry

This thread was discussed between 15/09/2008 and 18/09/2008

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