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MG MGB Technical - lock assembly?

Hello Folks
I'm from the midget side but I have a question from a MGB GT owner.
His lock assembly is gone on his 1973 he is able to hot wire it to start but would like to replace the switch.
Would a Midget switch of the same year work on the MGB GT?
Pricing for a midget is allot cheaper
Thanks for the help folks
Jason
1971 MG Midget
Jason Gross

Jason. I seem to remember something about the 73 model year switch being unique. I know that, when I mentioned I was parting out a 73 GT, someone e-mailed me for the switch and mentioned that they were hard to find used. Whether the lock cylinder is unique or the entire assembly, I do not know. I would suggest that a physical inspection and comparison would be the best way to determine if the different assemblies can be interchanged. Les
Les Bengtson

After some research, it turned out my '74 B had the '73 lock cylinder and column cover. The '73 is unique in that it has a small button below the key hole. You can't turn the key to the point where the steering locks unless you push the little button. There's also a sticker on the column cover which has those directions.

By the time I figured out I had a '73 column, I had already purchased a '74 switch. The part where you put the key sticks out of the column an extra inch, and is bare metal instead of chrome but it does work.

I can't tell you if a Midget switch will work, but if your friend finds a '74 (and later) switch, he can use that. If I remember right, mine cost about $45 from a junkyard. For that price, the fellow that sold it to me had cleaned it like a surgeon's tool and had a key made by a locksmith.
Matt Kulka

Jason - the ignition switch and, I assume, the entire ignition lock assembly is unique to the '73 B. The switch (the electrical part on the left of the column) has a unique set of wires with pin connectors. The later switch has the same number of wires, but a block connector with a smaller diameter switch, the earlier switch has pins, but fewer wires, and might be wider (memory fails).

I doubt very much that the Midget will match, as someone at Moss or Vicki Brit would offer it as a replacement. (It would make my day if the parts were lurking in Spridgets or other LBC's.)

The replacement recommendation from the parts suppliers is to get the later lock and ignition switch assembly and strip off the block connector and solder on pins to mate up with the '73's harness. You end up with a non-original looking key (the later key has the rubber end), but the rest of the parts are hidden under the shroud.

The cheap alternative is to find a '73 being parted out. It is possible to clean and refurbish the switch, I hear, but care must be taken in disassembly, as the design uses a number of ball bearings.
John Z

Jason pull the cowls off your midget and compare it to your freinds B switch[you must have a midget why else would you hang out on the "midget side" RIC
R E L Lloyd

This thread was discussed between 05/09/2003 and 06/09/2003

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