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MG MGA - RHD distributor/steering column rubbing

I've had a quick look in the archives and can't find this issue on the BBS.

Recently before moving State, I had the engine mounts replaced.

Now, when I am unable to go back to the guy who "fixed" them, I find the distributor cap is rubbing up against the steering column making it nice and shiny.

Does anyone with a RHD car know if it would be best/easiest fixed by shimming up the engine mounts OR by trying to move the distributor by adding some washers to the mounting.

Also I presume doing nothing will eventually lead to problems with the distributor cap?

Thanks and regards

Ken Taylor
Ken Taylor

Was any other work carried out? Was the steering column universal joint undone? Was the steering rack moved? Was the upper end of the column location moved?

Sounds like incorrect engine mounts. Best to fit a new set. Where did you purchase the mounts now fitted?
You could shim the mountings as a temporary fix, but not with washers. Make up plates the shape of the mount and fit them. This was done by the factory on the mga twin cam (one side only).
Do not shift the Distributor.

Mick
M F Anderson

Ken,
just checked the clearance on mine and it looks like about 1/2 inch. It would appear, as you and Mick say, that the engine is too low. Check out the thread further down the list of topics, "Engine mount rubbers" (Steve Gyles). He had bent engine mount plates, could yours be the same? Does your starting handle hole line up with the engine starting dog?
Lindsay Sampford

Ken

Is it possible you are using the wrong shaped distributor cap? There are a number of deigns.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Thanks guys,

I suspect it has to be the engine mounts as that is the only thing that has changed. They were supplied by the PO so who knows where they came from!

Nothing done to steering.

Will check starter handle alignment but car is currently sitting in storage.

Wishing you all a happy, prosperous and safety fast 2010.

Ken
Ken Taylor

Ken

Having just had a look at my car, your engine is either sitting horribly low or the steering shaft very high? With my rectified engine mounts allowing the starter handle holes to line up, the main clearance between the steering shaft an distributor cap is about 1.5 inches. The closest clearance is between one terminal post and the clamp bolt below the UJ (I have a non-MGA cap with the terminal posts exiting vertically). Even then the clearance is between 0.5 and 0.75 inches.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Ken,

In checking my RHD car, its the same as Steve's; i.e., it misses the shaft by 1.5 inches. The car does have a smaller rounded cap on it. I am attaching an image that shows the rounded cap and also the taller cap on my other car (which is LHD). The photo isn't the greatest since the camera was larger than the space needed to take the photo.

Dennis


Dennis Suski

This thread was discussed between 29/12/2009 and 31/12/2009

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