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MG MGA - Radio Static

Hi all. I just got my car finished and on the road, and noticed that the radio has ignition static. I have resistor plugs in the car, so I thought that this should not happen.

The original coil to distributor lead, had a black plastic thing in the middle of it. This thing... has a sheet metal screw thread in each end so that it will secure to the wire. I am thinking that is some sort of suppressor/resistor. I had one on my TD as well.

If the "thing" is installed would it help with the static?

Thanks
CR Tyrell

Radios in MGAs are consider as useless as ash trays on a motorbike in Oz but then in Canada you most probably drive with the top up most of the time.
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

There are various ways to attempt to suppress RF static in car radios.
There are resistor caps that fit on the plug leads at the top of the spark plug.
There spark plugs with a resistor incorporated in them.
However the best way is to use metal core plug leads (not graphite type) and proper RF insulation on the wires.
The best leads for this purpose are made by magnecor.
All the information you will ever need is at:

http://magnecor.com

A large website but is worth reading all of it.

Mick
M F Anderson

Mike.... To dispel the myth.... We do drive with the top down most of the time... :-) We are a tough lot us Canadians. 35 - 40 C in the summer and -20 C in the winter, and no two days the same!

Back to the radio, I would still like to know what that black plastic "thing" is.
CR Tyrell

It sounds like it is an in-line suppressor. Inside the black plastic is a 5K ohm resistor.

They were commonly used before resistive plug leads became common.


Malcolm
Malcolm Asquith

Thank you Malcolm. So I am thinking resistor plugs would negate the need for this resistor in the coil lead.
CR Tyrell

As I recall a suppressor can be fitted to the one of the 12v coil terminals. Also the dynamo should be suppressed due to its sparking commutator. My exhaust plays far better music than all this modern MUSIC???
Pete
PeteT

If you can hear static over the radio, or even hear the radio at all, that's usually your MGA's way of telling you to add more throttle.

-Del
Rawlins

C R , I would listern to Del and your problem will disappear.
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

LOL, You guys are right! I am not really worried about static on the radio. The sound of the engine and the car is all I need. But... the car came with a BMC radio, and it works and I can hear it cruising. Just want it to work.

I am taking the car out for its first long run today.... the weather is great and I am going to enjoy this , no matter what! :-)
CR Tyrell

Fantastic! Have a great drive.
And, what everyone else said about the radio problems.
You can remove the antenna wire and see what noises are left,,, whining is normally the generator and a capacitor may help shunt the noise to ground. Anything that is louder with the antenna plugged in is normally ignition, and others have given good advise how to solve that.
Can't wait to see it all together. Tell us how you like that 5 speed.
Don
D Hanna

5- speed is good, was well worth the conversion.
CR Tyrell

This thread was discussed between 24/05/2014 and 27/05/2014

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