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MG MGA - starter to engine bolt

Hi,

I'm reassembling my '57 MGA coupe. Trying to mount the starter. Can someone tell me what thread this is it looks 3/8 UNC. But can someone confirm before I ruin it? (It is a '57 and so the starter is mounted low)

Thanks.

-- Paul
Paul van Adrichem

There was a change of thread here. Early 1500 bolts were 3/8-24-UNF x 1-5/8. Mid 1500 and later cars (including all Twin Cam) were 3/8-18-UNC x 1-5/8. So it depends on which gearbox is in your car. Gearboxes are often swapped out, so you don't know until you inspect it.

These bolts screw into the aluminum bell housing and may sometimes strip the female threads. Having encountered one very expensive catastrophic failure, I always install Helicoils in these holes.
Barney Gaylord

HI Barney,

You are spot on. It was indeed 3/8 UNC. It is always a bit tricky. Don't want to mess the thread in the Aluminum bell housing. Once I was sure it was easy to clean the thread with and then mount the starter.

-- Paul
Paul van Adrichem

This thread was discussed between 12/01/2014 and 19/01/2014

MG MGA index

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