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MG MG Y Type - Disc brake coversion

is there a cost effective disc brake conversion for the YB? I would like to also install wire wheels. Mick YB0444.
Mick Smith

If you are going for wire wheels look no further than the MGA front suspension with disc brakes. Don't know about the cost effectiveness though.

MGB parts will fit with modification. Search for MG TD disc brakes and you'll find several conversions. Like this one: https://www.mgexp.com/article/mgtd-front-disc-brake-modification.html
Willem van der Veer

Willem, Thanks for the info. I am going to have my engine and gearbox modified by Peter Edney to 1500 fast road and would like to make sure the brakes are uprated also. If anyone reads this and has any MGA front suspension for sale, please get in touch. I guess I will need a servo modification too!

Cheers.
Mick.
Mick Smith

I am just finishing installing this kit on my 52 TD.
NTG says it will also fit the YB

https://www.mgbits.com/contents/en-uk/p9220_Disc-Brake-Conversion---Steel-Wheel-Model.html

Its mostly MGB parts, with two custom machined parts.
One to mount the Disc, one to mount the caliper.

This version retains the disc wheels.
I am guessing but I think there is a WW version.

So far things have gone well on the TD, with one problem. It appears that the right side steering arm had become bent. This tilted the tie-rod end toward the disc, where it rubbed.
A little cold straightening cured this problem.

One side is done, the left disc caliper needs to be mounted and the system bleed.

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

Maybe you have seen the Y (that did not sell) at auction in Holland? It has centre spoked 16" wire wheels. Very nice looking I think.

Willem van der Veer

Willem, I watched the Auction closely yesterday, and I was very tempted to bid! However, the car is too nice to rob parts from! It needs to be snapped up quickly and it looks like a relatively easy and cheap restoration to put it back on the road (compared to my complete money burner!). Shame I wish I could have started with this car.

Jim B, thanks, I am aware of the kits from NTG. I was hoping there was a cheaper option as the budget is spiralling out of control!

Cheers Mick.

Mick Smith

You say that the budget is spiralling out of control, fitting wire wheels is always going to be a king's ransom I'm afraid, but you could get your existing rims cleaned up and fit white wall tyres. I don't mean the big thick white walls on 1950's American cars, you can get a slim white wall that looks very effective. Look up Motor Wheel Service, their website is: http://www.mwsint.com/site/cms/contentChapterView.asp?chapter=1 A word of caution, their wire wheels are seriously desirable but also seriously expensive,


R Taylor

Thanks, that's a great idea! I've looked online at Motor Wheel Services, and the price of their white wall tyres seems reasonable. I was hoping somebody would reply to this thread and have a second hand set of wires that I could use to keep the cost down. I will probably advertise in the "Wanted" section. However, the white wall option is definitely food for thought!
Cheers,
Mick.
Mick Smith

Mick, I came across a photo that will give you some idea as to whether whitewalls suit your car.


R Taylor

Beautiful looking y. If mine turns out half as good I would be extremely happy. I think nice wheels make a car. Thanks for the photo.
Mick Smith

If you do decide to change to wire wheels, then I suggest you do not buy any of the original 4" rim-width wheels that were fitted to the TF and the MGA. You should go for 60 spoke, 15" dia x 4.5" rim-width wheels. This is because 60 spokes give a stronger wheel, and 4.5" rim-width is a better size for the 165x15 radial tyres that you will probably use.
R WILSON

Thanks for the advice
Mick.
Mick Smith

Mick some more info to digest and consider. I fitted MGB shocker and king pin assembly with disc brakes and wire wheel hubs to our YT, the lower wishbones you can use Y or B. Because the later shockers have a square bolt pattern you will need two new outboard mounting holes. I put a 10mm (3/8") plate under the subframe (on top of the spring) with tapped holes to achieve captive threaded holes for the mounting bolts. The only other mod if I recall correctly (I did this mod in '76) was to used MG Midget tie rod ends on the rack because neither the Y or B ones would fit - too long I think?

With regard to wheels yes I definitely agree with previous comments to use 15" centre laced wheels and chromed even better - have a look at the picture of YT 3208 in interesting Ys. Outside laced TF or MGA wheels look terrible on a Y in my opinion. However there is a bit of a hurdle to jump. If you look closely at the picture posted by Willem above you will notice that the tyres protrude outside the bodywork - not a good look! Compare that shot to YT3208. I had my wheels specially built for the car and yes they cost and arm and a leg but my wheel man and I agreed on how we would measure inset, that is the relationship of the wheel ctr to the rim, and I then sent him my measurements that kept the tyres inside the bodywork. But I have to admit I did cheat a bit! The front is not a problem but the rear is a little bit tight for space with 5" rims and 185/65 tyres, so I "relieved" the outside of rear guards (wings) a little bit and made the shape a bit more rounded rather than flat - not even noticeable. If I had my time over again I would have also filled in the wheel arch a bit like a YB to fill the rather large gap you get with 15' wheels. Hope you find this info useful and let me know if you have any questions. Cheers Richo
R A Prior

Rico,

Does your experience pertain to YB's as well? I am in the process of fitting wire wheels to my car using TF hubs/drums and outer laced 48 spoke 4J15 Dunlop wheels and Dunlop Super C49 5.50-15 tires. From the pics I see on Google Images the tires should not protrude beyond the fenders.

I assume you are near Perth. Give my regards "my mates" to Mike Sherrill and Harry Pyle of the TCOC.

Rocky
TC2482
YB0952
Rodney C "Rocky" von Dullen

Yes Rocky outside laced wheels should be OK on YB.

I am a member of the TCOC here in Perth so I know Mike and Harry very well. Did you know Mike also has a YA that he has modified like my YT, he is also running wire wheels and I think outside laced without any issues.
Cheers
Richo
R A Prior

Richo,

Yes, Mike's Y was under construction when I visited Perth in Nov 1999. If memory serves, he had fitted MGA/B f & r suspension systems.
Mike, Loretta, Harry and Deidre all met me at the airport and Harry rapidly drove me to my hotel in Freeo in TC2446. I later navigated Mike in TC9491 on the Navigation Trial Crowd rally (we won!) and Harry took me to a mtg of the TCOC where I was made an honorary member.
I had previously met/hosted all of them when they visited New Orleans.

Rocky
Rodney C "Rocky" von Dullen

This thread was discussed between 15/11/2018 and 21/12/2018

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