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MG MG Y Type - dash clock wiring

Hi, (deputy neophyte here again),
I am wiring my YT dash. Does the clock just get an active from the battery (easy) , but does it need an earth as well.
So do I place an earth under one of he mounting screws?
Is it OK just to remove the screw
/ regards Kevin M

K G Mills

Kevin

Have you accessed the appropriate wiring diagram for your YT at https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/imgytr/techdata.shtml#Wiring_Diagrams yet?

Remember too that all the manuals are available on CD from YZ Publications which will assist you with this and many more questions - https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/imgytr/stores/yzpublications.shtml

Paul
Paul Barrow

Hi Paul, yup, I have got LTBYs and the manuals on cd. Likewise I have the original paper manual with wiring diagrams.
That said, all the YT wirings diagrams I have, do not have any clocks, so no clock connections.
So I was a little unsure about removing one of the mounting screws.
The Y, and probably the YB (have't checked) show clocks, but no explicit earths
Looking at the docs for the electronic upgrades to clocks (very clever stuff), it seems safe to take one screw out and use the crimp ring type eyelet connector you can see on the image, on the earth branch on the loom I have, under the screw.
thanks Paul
K G Mills

Hi Kevin

No specific ground or earth required.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Hi Paul, thanks for the follow up. But...
The whole gauge is not grounded (wooden dash) and the grounds to the dash lamps are dedicated to the lamp holders.
But the diagrams in "From the ground up" do show a ground to the clock for the TC.
At risk of copyright prob, the relevant page is attached. (From the website for From the Ground Up)

Looks very much like I should use the mounting screw.

Cheers KG
K G Mills

Yeah I'd stick it under one of the mounting screws, or even under the thumb nut holding the speedo in---you can never have too many earths

willy
William Revit

You can always add one if you like Kevin as Willy says. What I was saying is no specific ground is required as it is achieved by the speedometer cable sheath effectively ... assuming you have a metal sheathed one!

Also, have you had the clock rebuilt - otherwise it is a mote point as they are generally only ever right twice a day being notoriously unreliable.
Paul Barrow

a caution...
Be careful attaching the active wire to the back of the tacho. There's not a lot of insulation around the post and a short to your earthed instrument will quickly screw up the clock.
Ask me how I know...
R Ades

This thread was discussed between 25/03/2025 and 30/03/2025

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