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Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Turn Switch Innards

I took my turn switch apart today with the intent of rebuilding it - the time delay has never worked and I figured I'd just follow Barney's instructions on the MGAGuru website. Imagine my surprise when I found I had no piston or spring inside - a DPO probably had it all spring apart and never put it back together.

Can anyone suggest an alternative to buying a new switch - they are expensive - about $150?

- Ken
Ken Doris

Ken,
There is a turn signal switch for a MG-TF on E-Bay tonight ( Sat, 11-19 ) The Moss catalogue shows that the TF uses the same switch as the MGA.
/ gil
gil

Thank Gil - I placed a bid on it. Apparently the vacuum doesn't work, but hopefully it has all the necessary parts. - Ken
Ken Doris

Brit Parts does a repair service: http://www.britbits.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/rebuilt_parts.html

Steve
Steve Gyles

Ken, according to Moss, the same switch is used on Jaguar XK140, XK150, MG-TD, MG-TF, and MGA's. Maybe if you have some exotic junk yards in your area???
Good luck with E-Bay
/ gil
gil

Steve - thanks for the lead to Brit Parts. If I don't win the ebay auction, I'll contact them to see if they will sell just the piston and spring.
Gil - I don't think there's anything "exotic" about any of the junk yards nearby, but I'll look around - thanks.
- Ken
Ken Doris

Ken

Just spotted a turn indicator on UK Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MGA-MGTD-mgtf-Turn-signal-Vacuum-Pneumatic-switch_W0QQitemZ4593881805QQcategoryZ27380QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Steve
Steve Gyles

Ken,

I just bought one from ebay from a British seller. Mine has the white switch, so I don't think it is for the A, probably from an earlier car (anyone want to swap?). I took it apart last night and it is all there. The leather washer is was very dry. I cleaned the whole thing up and oiled the washer. I then put it back together using vaseline. It still does not work (not even slightly). I think it needs a new leather washer. Does anyone know where I could get hold of one?

Dan
Dan Barton

I made my own leather washer from a scrap of leather from a local shop. Quite simple. Drill out the rivet holding the large washer in place and remove the old leather. Cut a disk of leather about 3/16 inch bigger than the piston, all around, wet it, punch a small hole in the center and reinstall it under the washer, rough side toward the piston using a #8 screw and nut. Gently work the piston and leather into the bore and let it sit overnight. Work them apart again and lubricate with dielectric grease and reassemeble. Work it until it moves smoothly and reassemble your switch. You may need to readjust the screw in back that controls the vacuum. that's all there is to it.

R. L Carleen

Rob,
Thanks for this. What thickness of leather did you use? I have some scrap from re-covering the cockpit surround; will that work?
Dan
Dan Barton

Dan,
The leather I used is .04" thick, and it worked great. I soaked it in water and formed it like RL described.

The switch I bought also had the larger white knob, which I believe comes from one the MG-T series cars. I bought an MGA knob from Moss, but it was dragging on the dash, so I had to file some of it to keep it from ruining the paint. I finally ended up painting the white T type knob black and using it. It is larger and easier to use, and I like it much better than the MGA knob.

Jeff
Jeff Schultz

I looked at the leftover leather from my switch project and the leather from recovering my cockpit surround. Thickness is about the same, but my surround leather has a bit of pebble grain to it, which might not work so well. All you need is enough to cut out a 1 5/8 inch circle and punch a 5/32 hole in the center. Soaking and compressing in the cylinder overnight might smooth out the pebbling--give it a try. You have nothing to lose.
R. L Carleen

There's an odd looking one on ebay now. I'm not inclined to bid on it as it probably isn't correct, but I've posted a question to the seller to see what the extra appendage is

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MGA-TURN-INDICATOR-SWITCH_W0QQitemZ4593221570QQcategoryZ34206QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

Anyone have any idea?

- Ken
Ken Doris

Ken, it looks like the "appendage" is just a loose piece to hold the part for the phot. In one photo it appears to be at the back. In the other photo, it is attached to the front of the switch. In both cases, it is against the background.

Chuck
Chuck Schaefer

Ah - now I see. Thanks Chuck!
Ken Doris

It's a pencil sharpener!
Dan Barton

I presume the winning bidder gets the pencil sharpener as well!

We had an incidence of a customer insisting that he got the car in the architect's schematic painting of the building he contracted for!

.....And he got it!


Steve
Steve Gyles

Why, Yes it is a pencil sharpener. Good eyes Dan.

Chuck
Chuck Schaefer

Ken

If you are still hunting, another (new) one on UK Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MG-MGA-Indicator-Switch-Brand-New-Made-in-England_W0QQitemZ4595963063QQcategoryZ27380QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve - Thanks, I bid on it but it finally went to someone else for about $138 USD (yikes!). I can get a new one from LBCarCo for about $149, and the difference in shipping would actually make it cheaper. - Ken
Ken Doris

Ken

There is another one on UK Ebay, new, currently at $95 ish with 2 days 18 hours to go.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MGA-MGTD-MGTF-Turn-signal-Vacuum-Pneumatic-switch_W0QQitemZ4596973443QQcategoryZ27380QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Steve
Steve Gyles

Ken,

There is a Lucas switch on ebay right now listed as a Morris part. It is identical to the MGA part except for the switch handle (and I think you already have one of those).

http://cgi.ebay.com/LUCAS-NOS-LARGE-INDICATOR-SWITCH-PART-31250-MORRIS-ETC_W0QQitemZ4596680663QQcategoryZ27381QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Good luck

Dan
Dan Barton

The same switch was used in the Morris Minor in "concert" with the trafficators!
R.A. Carnes

My switch only lasted for about two seconds before it cancelled, so as various people have suggested I took it apart. That cured it fine, now it just doesn't cancel at all.
D J Hill

So DJ, are you ready to sell it? :~)
- Ken
Ken Doris

Ken

Yet another one on our Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MGA-MGTD-MGTF-Turn-signal-Vacuum-Pneumatic-switch_W0QQitemZ4598749285QQcategoryZ27380QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Currently standing at £37 ($62ish). You might get this one cheap, what with everyone being preoccupied with Christmas. The one I linked in my post of 14 Dec went for about £65.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve - Thanks again! I've bid on them all, but gave up each time as they have been going quite high as you point out. Especially for me here in the states with the shipping charges. The prices are incredible, expecially considering that most/all will need a rebuild to operate correctly.
- Ken
Ken Doris

Wow that was quick - each time I entered a bid I was immediately outbid, up past my max of 55 pounds ($96 ish). With the shipping that puts me up near $110, and I can get a new one from LBCarco for about $150 with a warranty.
Ken Doris

Ken,
I just found a receipt for one I bought 7 years ago for $60 from a junkyard called "Mostly British" in Chaumont NY, (315)649-2861. I don't know if they are still in business, but I bought a lot of used parts from them at reasonable prices. Worth a phone call.

Jeff
Jeff Schultz

Ken,
Just googled for them, and they have a web site now. http://www.mostlybritish.com/

Jeff
Jeff Schultz

Nice one Ken - I would sell it if my arms were long enough to make hand signals both sides.
D J Hill

Ken

Another one for you to track, currently sitting at about $17 with 4 days to go: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MGA-MGTD-MGTF-Turn-signal-Vacuum-Pneumatic-switch_W0QQitemZ4600315960QQcategoryZ27380QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve - Thanks but I've just "won" a brand new one on ebay this week - paid 61.75 BP (approx $108) including shipping from Great Britain to here in NY. Not cheap, but less than other auctions for the same part. Previously I've seen them go as high as $130 without shipping. I expect this one will be bid up also as it gets closer to the end of the auction.

Wow, it's just amazing how much commerce exists around these cherished, ancient vehicles - every possible part is being offered and, hopefully, gets purchased and put to use in one our our cars. They find a better life on the road than sitting on a shelf somewhere in a lonely barn or garage.

OK, today I'm off to Queens, NY to the shop of "Mr. SU", Joe Curto (http://www.joecurto.com/) to pick up my newly rebuilt carbs!

- Ken
Ken Doris

This thread was discussed between 19/11/2005 and 30/12/2005

MG MGA index

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