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MG MGA - What COULD go wrong; what SHOULD I take?

Preparing to ship the MGA to Adelaide for the Australians' National Meeting [Natmeet 2017] at Easter and a few weeks touring, SA, Vic. NSW and possibly Queensland.

I would welcome regular forum experts' opinions / advice on what, in your experience could cause grief and especially what spare parts to prepare to take with me.

Colyn, I know you are renowned as being the Spares-in-Chief and you did give me some list, which sadly has gone walkabout. Any further advice most welcome! And space IS limited, for Yani's clothes!

On MGA 60 LE-JoG the hydraulic brake switch died, despite being new, and more recently the MG TD engine suddenly stopped, on the first run after an engine-out oil leak repair. Fuel was being pumped through; no spark at the plugs, new condenser had been fitted. A new coil was fitted, still nothing...

No gap at the contact points, and, after removing the rotor arm, the culprit was evident: the heel of the points abutting the cam had snapped off. Again, a brand new part. Has anyone experienced this before [see photo].

Finally, other than spare parts for the car, what else to carry?

Thanks for any suggestions..

Doug




Doug Wallace

Hi Doug...I wouldn't go overboard with spares, as we have some great suppliers here in Oz, and in most cases overnight deliveries if you need them.I'm sure the Victorian Club guys will supply plenty of info on this, as you will be in there part of the World a fair bit of the time.
I note "possibly" Queensland...make that a definitely!
Gary Lock

Doug,

I agree with Gary, there is no need to carry a lot of spare parts in Australia.
What is more important is that you have a person to contact in the places that you intend to visit.
Have you mapped out a full travel plan yet? Have you contacted the MG Car Clubs in the State Capitals and larger towns for advice on people to contact?
If you carry spares I would recommend a set of distributor Points, a Rotor, Condensor (capacitor), maybe a fuel pump, one Spark Plug.
The broken heel on your contact points just looks like poor quality, but did you lightly smear the heel with grease as you should?

Mick
M F Anderson

Hi Doug,
wish we were coming with you but I am still not fully retired yet.
Hopefully I will soon correct that situation.

If you search in the archive for the two threads "spares and tools" and "Spares in boot" you will be able to have another look at them and decide what to take.
There is a picture of my "List" in there too if you need it.

It sounds like Gary and Mick will be looking out for you and so, unless you are going off alone into the Outback for a long trip, it seems as if you can safely leave much of the stuff on my list at home.

It's not like the Le-Jog where we had to keep the car going to keep up with the group.
So relax , take it easy and just enjoy the trip.
Cheers
Colyn
Colyn Firth

I would concur with the Australian contingent. They are all fanatics. When I was out there visiting Barry Gannon I was astonished at the number of enthusiasts who attended the Victoria monthly meet - well over 100. As they say, arm yourself with a book full of contacts and you won't be going short.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Doug
Big trip coming up eh--
As the guys here have said, you will only need minimum spares really
The main thing would be to get contact numbers of someone in each state that you can contact if needed to put you in contact with the best person in whichever area of the state you are in
After the Natmeet there are usually plenty of others cruising about as well, best deal is to group up with others that you might meet on the road just for the company of others in the same situation as yourself
As Colin suggests- relax, take it easy and don't rush about ,then things won't break
I would have to say the most common thing I have seen give up on longer trips is the generator
If you still run a generator, make sure the bushes are ok and lubed up and don't overtighten the belt,-best to adjust it when it's hot as they tend to get tighter as they heat up
"Enjoy the trip"
willy
William Revit

Doug, as the event gets closer contact me via email. I will be offering a 'pick-up' service for any unfortunate interstate or O/S visitor. I will be taking my TC to Adelaide on one day but will be available on the others. I have a Mitsubishi Triton traytop and a single axle trailer that used to carry my racing MGB. I'm not too sure where some of the runs are going but I live about 90km south of Adelaide on the Fleurieu Peninsula (close to the southern wine growing area).
Regards, Don TF 4887 "Figaro' TC 1736 "Sibelius'
Don Walker

How about the screw that holds the points in place. Drop and loose that your stuffed. Just keep one in your wallet.
AR Terry

AR Terry: there must be a few very insignificant bits like that which when dropped, disappear into a sightless crevice in the chassis and cause a total end to further progress.
Any other suggestions where a standard bit of wire or bolt/screw in the tool box isn't going to help because the component is "special"?
Graeme Williams

You know what Graeme, I cant think of another show stopper quite as critical as that little screw unless of course there is the same screw used somewhere else on the car.........but where I wonder (tapping chin with fingers)
AR Terry

Doug,

I had the same experience back in 1959. Lack of lubrication on the ignition cam follower, the points pivot shaft, and the advance weights I believe is addressed by the drivers manual. Also, is the nut on the capacitor terminal fully tightened? Almost a 100 percent guarantee a spare will not be needed.

Best regards,

Jim Haskins 1953 TD #2
J M Haskins

Doug
There you go
A fine offer from Don Walker
There are others like Tim Edmunds and Bev Waters , both very helpful and on the Natmeet committee with contact numbers on the Natmeet website
Also there will be plenty of other help available

Apart from spares for the car
You need to have some good sunscreen specially if you are driving around topless
Get some here when you arrive with a 50+ rating and use it -and a hat--
Coming from the UK at this time of the year will be a bit of a shock to the system heat wise, be prepared and keep the fluid intake up, we don't want you falling over

willy
William Revit

Thanks for all the great advice, the common thread being that the Aussies are very helpful and to have contacts is most important.

Colyn, I did find the old thread from the archives, spares and tools, there were over 80 posts, lots of information as well as opinions! You should be retired and join Yani and me on this adventure?

Don, that is a great offer and service, very kind of you.

Willy, I will actually be coming from Bali where I work, so temperatures not such a problem, but for sure, sunscreen is a must.

Gary, will you be heading to Adelaide? Ok, must try to get to Queensland, I worked on Hayman Island in the Whitsundays in the '70s, would be good to come back.

Looking forward to NATMEET 2017!

Doug

Doug Wallace

Hi Doug,
Main items are a mobile phone and a credit card (for shouting your Aussie mates). Our experience with the UK Europe trip (18 cars 10,000 kms) was make sure your distributor and generator are in good condition prior to the trip (suggest have them pulled out and serviced if you are unsure of their history). Give the car a good shake down before you send on the way - a couple of 200 kms runs (do you trust Derek?). Most of our issues came from last minute rebuilds that weren't tested before the trip. If you do this you should only need basic tools and spares. Even if a disaster hits like a broken crankshaft there will be plenty of people to help you - we all speak MG in Oz.
Suggest also to have a read through mgaguru before making your selection http://www.mgaguru.com/mgtech/travel/tp1.htm
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

Doug, I think that Mike has hit on the final answer to your question.

When you put your car into the container, just make sure that you add sufficient beer, wine and sandwiches to sustain your friend Derek for the trip! :-)

Colyn
Colyn Firth

Thanks Mike, good reading on Barney's site.

And thanks Colyn, always innovative!

Doug
Doug Wallace

Doug
Trying to think of things that could go wrong--
A cake of soap in the kit-for emergency use in case you run over something on the road--
willy
William Revit

Doug

As you have just experienced so many current ignition parts are rubbish. But even when original Lucas parts were available they were the most common cause of breakdown by far. After so many issues I have now gone Petronix Ignitor and their Flamethrower coil. Great improvement with stronger spark although I still carry my old complete known working disi and leads packed robustly and kept in one of Colyn's secret places, i.e. Between master cylinder and inner wing. The main thing is known working rather than new (and probably rubbish)!

After Ravenscar I am sure another bottle of Ardbeg would be appreciated.

Paul
Paul Dean

Just bring a credit card....it can solve all your problems!
S

This thread was discussed between 16/01/2017 and 19/01/2017

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