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MG MG Y Type - orientation of the distributor + which cap?

I found a NOS side-entry Lucas cap with which I'm going to replace the slightly damaged currently fitted. Am I right in thinking the Y has a side entry distributor cap as standard (as opposed to the top entry ones on a TC/TD)?

I'm also going to replace the black leads with rather cheerful "bumblebee-ish" cloth-wrapped ones AND replace the sparkplug caps marked "made in Germany" with the NOS plain bakelite ones that came with distributor cap for obvious reasons!

The question is how to orientate the distributor? On my engine the HT wires come out on top, whereas on several pictures in old magazines the HT wires come out in front and I saw a picture of the wires coming out from below.

I like the last one best because the Lucas lettering then is in the right orientation (not upsidedown as with mine now), the wires run beautifully through the perforated disc to the sparkplugs and the (admittedly very small) chance of water running into the holes is minimized.

So how's your distributor orientated and what is the original and/or best position (if there is any)?

(I really want to know, so please treat this thread better than my wiper position poll? LOL)
Willem van der Veer

Hi Willem

You reap what you sow!

Any way, my YA has side entry and all 4 leads are exiting towards the block. Capacitor is also block side with #1 lead bottom left.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Hi Willem,
If you look in Stories From The Rearview Mirror You will find a photograph of my engine bay (Y2866) This picture was taken in June 1949 when my car was new. It shows the plug leads facing the radiator with the Lucas name in a verticle position. The distributor cap remains in that position to this day. Were they all fitted in this position??? Who knows.

Terry
Terry Ciantar

Hi Terry,
Thanks for that, I missed that one. On YB0251 the distributor is also in that position, as most period pictures. I conclude that a side-entry cap would be original, with the leads facing the radiator. I must now decide which position I like best.

Willem
Willem van der Veer

I too had forgotten about Terry's superb original pictures there, but the leads do look a tight stretch that way. Dont reckon you will loose too many points for being 90, 180, 270 (or knowing you Willem even 360) degrees out though :-)

Paul
Paul Barrow

No need to worry about water entering the cap with the spark plug and coil leads if you dip the ends of the leads in di-electric grease before inserting them.
A.K.A. Dow Corning #4 Electrical Insulating Compound, available worldwide. You can even ask them for a free sample, which will probably last forever.
Scott Barrow

Scott, I just ordered my forever lasting sample!
Willem van der Veer

Scott, I just received the "sample": 100G of it at the size of a toothpaste tube. I'll have to get very old indeed if I want it to last a lifetime... Thanks for the tip.
Willem van der Veer

At the risk of sounding a bit anal about this distributor orientation and HT lead routing, here are some pictures of my new arrangement.

I was unable to let the cables face the radiator because the clips on the side of the distributor fouled the aftermarket sidecover; sometimes PO's do thing for a good reason!'I've always thought that HT-leads shouldn't touch and although hard to see in the pictures, in the new arrangement they hardly do.

The before and after pictures:
http://home.orange.nl/vdveery5888/HTleadsy5888.html
Willem van der Veer

Willem

That side cover is horrendous - they come up every so often on eBay - set a search engine up for XPAG, and lose that monster!!

Interesting green on the Dynamo - even Lucas would be able to see that one!

Paul
Paul Barrow

Paul,

Thanks for your "kind" comments, coming from you I can handle it. I'm actually rather fond of that cover with the added Octagon on it. The green dynamo will be finished in black sometime.

Willem
Willem van der Veer

Willem, Take no notice.
If MG could have afforded them, I'm sure that they would have put on better quality side covers (and cylinder head covers as well)than the miserable bits of pressed steel that are standard.
Michael
j m nicholson

Michael - flimsy it might be, but it it is flat, square and clean, the cork is flat against a clean engine gasket face, and none of the 3 bolt/screws are over-tightened and stripped or too loose - it does its job in accordance with the rest of the specification of the period of the car's design and manufacture :-)

Willem, keep taking the pinch of salt :-(

Paul
Paul Barrow

Paul, you are an expert indeed! The car came with this periodish(?) cover and 2 of the 3 bolts were so stretched that they broke off the moment they SAW the wrench. :-)

(first time I use this "smiley" after seeing an explaination in the Internet. Before that I often wondered what it was about! ;-))
Willem van der Veer

This thread was discussed between 19/04/2007 and 03/05/2007

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