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MG MG Y Type - Disc Brakes

Hi all, has any one fitted the front disc brake conversion kit to there cars from NTG ?
If so was it worth it, straight forward and where any over parts needed.thanks for any comments Les

L BARNETT

Les,

Its only my opinion, but why would disc brakes be required on a Y-type? A properly set-up disc system (original) I found has all the stopping power required. The biggest challenge I find, is getting the right friction material on the shoes.

Its just me, but I don't understand the need for disc brakes on a 45 HP automobile.

.. CR
CR Tyrell

Sorry, that should read Drum (original)
..CR
CR Tyrell

Not just you Clive - me too. Adequately adjusted and properly maintained, even running cross/bias ply tires I find the original drums and master cylinder/wheel cylinder set up more than adequate ... even in the rain. But then I drive within the capabilities of the car and road conditions.

L Barnett - what inadequacies are you experiencing that leads you to consider changing to discs? I have no information on the NTG kit.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Hi Les,

Whereabouts in the county are you? I'm in Liphook.

I can't really be any more or less helpful than the previous responders, because I am using MGB discs. But presumably you want to use the original Y wheels, so are considering the NTG kit.

Jim Moyes

P.S (to the BBS administrators)

Is there no function on the board to send private messages to other members?
JRB Moyes

Hi Jim
I live at Portchester.
When i last drove the car i found that it pulled very badly to the n/s.
Knowing that the brakes need some work on them and that my wife finds them hard to use even when there right i decided to have a look on the net for ideas.
I came across the article on the registrars site about changing them for MGB discs as you are / have done, but as you guessed i don't want to change the wheels.Then i came across the disc kit from NTG, I contacted them by email and was told that every thing i would need is in the kit. But before making my mind up i wanted to see if any one else had used the kit and if any other parts where needed such as brake reservoirs, etc and if it would make braking easier so that my wife would be able to drive more often.
The kit is quite expensive (£780) so need to weigh up
the pros and cons against just renovating the brakes as they are.
Les

L BARNETT

Les,

Sounds like your braking system is in a need of a total inspection and repair. Disc brakes would only fix issues with front wheels. The pull to the n/s tells me the o/s brakes are not functioning properly. Part of the service should be the replacement of all flex lines as well. New seals in wheel cylinders are most likely indicated as well.

When the brake system is set-up and everything functions as it should the brake pedal is very easily applied and should be easy for your wife to put enough braking pressure into the system.

The master cylinder bore size is uncommonly large, as are the wheel cylinders for a car of its size and weight. The brakes as original should work very well indeed.

.. CR
CR Tyrell

Les

No that I have a better understanding of the reasons I would agree with Clive Tyrell you need a full overhaul of your wheel cylinders, front flexi-hoses, the single flex-hose over the rear axle (not the Jackall one - the other one!!), the rear wheel cylinders, the friction linings (and adjustment) and drums skimmed out for ovaling ... and of course the master cylinder rebuild. As with everything, a qualified hand who knows what they are doing is essential, and then of course comes the brake fluid flush and bleed. Once properly adjusted (including the stroke on the master cylinder Les and I think even your wife will be amazed at the transformation!

You can probably do all of the above for less than £750 I would have thought, but each to their own. Just my thoughts and recommendations based on my experience.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Hi there
I read disc brakes on a Y so I am interested.
I fitted MGB disc brakes many years ago largely to accommodate wire wheels . It seems there are other ways to do this but that it is the way I achieved it.
It was a fairly simple bolt on arrangement and I fitted 14 inch MGB wires on the front and had some 15 inch wires made for the rear on 15 inch Volvo rims.
This car has been waiting 20 years to get on the road and now am getting closer.
I also fitted an MGB diff having modified the axle fitting to the springs, don’t be alarmed but it also supports MGB engine Mk1 amd GBox ! The shifter sits further back and very comfortable
Despite the mods this car is a head turner and travels .
Regards Clive

CR Dickinson

Re. The front discs and standard Y rear drums you may need to consider the line pressures and upgrade the rear slaves to match the performance the front discs , otherwise potentially little braking at the back.
My conversion uses the MGB master.
The worry with 14 inch front wires is filling the wheel space , but maybe you agree It appears reasonable. The 15 inch rears are a better size.





CR Dickinson

Which master did you use, Clive?

I wanted to use as much of the donor MGB as possible and quite liked the idea of dual circuit brakes for the safety aspect, but there is not quite enough space between pedal box and gearbox cross tube.

How have you arranged clutch activation? Hydraulic or mechanical?

Jim
JRB Moyes

It occurs to me having read the above supporters of drum brakes. If they were so efficient why did they upgrade the system for the YB. I consider my YT brakes to be set up to best performance but have have to admit saying some prayers whilst braking down hill with 4 blokes up. I would certainly consider some discs if NTG made some for the YA.
No matter how well you drive the modern car in front can stop in far less space than you in a Y.
Peter Vielvoye

Hi Jim
I think I mentioned I used the MGB master and the clutch is hydraulic.
The conversion was done by a BMC master and the steering column had an extra universal joint to avoid the starter motor.
CR Dickinson
CR Dickinson

Peter, is the set that Les linked to in the original post not suitable for a YA? As you say MG wouldn't have changed the brakes on the YB if they thought they were adequate. They were probably reacting to feedback from owners and distributors/dealers.

Clive, I saw that you were using the B master I just wondered which one? And where is your cylinder setup - still under floor?

My motor engineer friend and I took a long time deciding on the engines exact location because of the issues with the steering column. A modern high torque starter which is much smaller than the original B unit and a collapsible column from a Range Rover Classic means that there is about 10-12mm clearance between starter and distributor. Either side of the column.
JRB Moyes

The NTG disc brake conversion is listed under YB brakes and not under YA. As the wheel bearings are different a kit would need to be specifically designed for a YA.
Peter Vielvoye

I wasn't 100% sure myself Peter but I concur with you.
Paul Barrow

Peter. Car manufacturers upgrade their systems for a number of reasons, not all of which have anything to do with mechanical improvements. Improvements in technology often lead to a design change, especially if they make production cheaper. The main driver though is marketing as they are in a constant quest to keep their products up to date in the minds of the customer. Basically if they can spin a change to be "better" than what went before they will use this to drive sales. The change from the YA to YB went along with technology changes during the war and the need to use older technology to get manufacturing going quickly. I am sure the change to a hypoid differential and the move to twin leading shoe brakes for the YB were part of this along with a need to rejuvenate an ancient model. Basically then you are right. The brakes would have been an improvement over the YA but it would not necessarily have been done for that reason.
Ian Thomson
ian thomson

Hi All,
I'm afraid i am firmly in the "why do you need disk brakes" camp, there are too many y's being slaughtered in the interest of modern motoring if you want this type of motoring don't buy a Y buy a modern motor. If the lady of the house is a bit short of leg power than fit a servo,much cheaper (£200ish to buy) than a disc kit and easyer to fit and leaves the y almost standard and not in the DVLAs sights. I find it rather sad the number of people buying Y's and then wanting to make modern cars of them,Shame on you,left alone the Y is a good prewar type classic
John with a left alone YB0362
JC Jebb

Hi JRB
Yes the master is still the floor but not a Y type.
2 universal joints as you can see from photos slipping under the distributor with about 1.5 cm clearance ,which you can’t see .
C R D




CR Dickinson

I am always amused to hear the phrase touted by salespeople "New and Improved!" Something can only either be "New" or "Improved" not both. It is either an OLD thing that has been "IMPROVED" ... or it is a NEW thing!

Paul
Paul Barrow

Thank you all for your input on this subject, it has given me lots to think about, shame no one seems to have used the NTG kit to give me a definitive answer. I would like to keep my car as standard as possible so am going to look at the servo suggestion. (see if i can find some one near me (Fareham Hampshire ) to check out the brakes and give me a price for fitting a servo.)
Les
L BARNETT

This thread was discussed between 15/05/2020 and 03/06/2020

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