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MG MGA - Wiper Conversion - DR2 - DR3A

After reading through the archives and Barney's technical database, I started to think about a two-speed wiper conversion that has not, to the best of my knowledge, been discussed previously. It boils down to the question, "Can the stock single speed DR2 MGA wiper be converted to a two speed by simply changing out the field coil with one from a two speed DR3A motor?" (This assumes, of course, that the harness and a new three-position switch are also rewired to copy the 1967 - 1968 MGB wiper wiring.) Clearly, the best two speed functional conversion would be to use the 105 degree gear wheel and convert the more robust later MGB (round)wiper motor, as discussed previously by Dominic and others, but for sake of stock appearance, swapping the field coils between the two square bodied wipers clearly has some merits. Any comments and, hopefully, experience with such a conversion?

Thanks,
Steve
Steve Brandt

You could also use an early B motor which is also square....

dominic clancy

I think that the early MGB wiper motor is a DR3A - at least the 1967 and 1968 models with the square bodied two speed motor. That model has a slightly wider gearbox taper casting than the DR2 to accomodate a different type of parking switch on some versions. However, some of the DR3A's used the same kind of spring contact parking wiper switch mounted on the gear actuating arm (with an external wire connection to the housing) arrangement as the DR2's. The two speed suare bodied DR3A's are not that uncommon since they were used on later Triumphs and other cars of the era. However, finding one in good shape is more problematic. That's one of the reasons for my question, since using a field coil from a trashed DR3A to convert a working DR2 to two speed operation should be a straightforward conversion. It might also be possible to make the conversion without removing the entire motor - just the end cap and, possibly, the housing.

Steve
Steve Brandt

Steve,

I have recently pulled a DR3A wiper unit out of my roadster. See the "non-standard wiper motor" thread. I have no use for the motor so you would be welcome to it for the cost of shipping.

John
jjb Backman

Thanks Jim...I definitely want to take you up on your offer. For me, it's worth the shipping postage and the fiddling time to run the experiment. I'll send you my information off BBS.

Thanks,
Steve
Steve Brandt

This thread was discussed between 17/02/2009 and 20/02/2009

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