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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - HT lead size ?

Hi I have just bought some HT leads online for my 23D side entry cap distributor the seller has supplied 8mm leads , there is no way I can get them in . When I questioned it they said they will with a bit of washing up liquid ? Still can’t get them in , the previous ones are definitely a smaller diameter, is 8mm right ?
Mike Fairclough

I think the correct diameter is 7mm Mike.

I have managed to get 8mm to fit but it required reducing the diameter.
Philip Sellen

Thanks for the reply Phillip how did you do it , Stanley knife or something?
Mike Fairclough

Very unprofessional; I marked out the length (masking tape) that needed to be reduced to get each lead into the cap.

Then, using a grinding wheel in an electric drill held in a vice - so it became a temporary lathe - I rotated each lead to gradually reduce the outer diameter. Trial fit as I went along until each lead would just fully seat in the cap.

Amateurish but it worked for me.
Philip Sellen

Thanks Philip I went even more amateurish and took slivers off with a scalpel , it did work just begrudge having to make them fit !
Mike Fairclough

Reminds me of Arnhem some years ago on a Battlefield Tour that I had organised for Masc members. On the morning of departure a participant's engine failed to start. The Luminition electronic ignition had failed in the 45D dizzy fitted to the 1275 engine. Time was tight as we had the Ferry to get to. I usually carry a spare 25D dizzy when organising tours. Set up either with points and condenser or electronic is has proven useful on several occasions on participants cars. I hadn't brought a cap but someone else offered a spare. Needing leads they were taken from the 45D but of course were too large a diameter.
Shaved down they fitted the 25D and the car was soon running again.

As an aside I informed the owner to have a new coil fitted. Never listening what did I have to replace, for the owner, on the next tour at Angouleme.
Alan Anstead

I've learned something here re. different diameters. I need to get some at some point for the 1275 Frog although I might try some existing orange ones I have first. The view they last a long time - I'm not so sure. You'd think the insulation would age at least and that's important with thousands of volts present, more important than resistance variations. But then I've used the same leads for 20 years in the past.
Bill Bretherton

I use bumblebee copper leads (with electronic ignition). I think mine are about 17 yrs old.
Alan Anstead

This thread was discussed between 30/05/2020 and 31/05/2020

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