MG MG Y Type Semaphore clockwork timer. BBS discussion at MG-Cars.info

MG MG Y Type - Semaphore clockwork timer.

I hope to attach a couple of photos of the tiny spring which combines with a lever and cog to delay the return of the column switch for the semaphores. (Possibly the clumsiest sentence ever, but you get my drift). The spring appears to just sit on top of a lever, and it is this lever which actually engages with the cog. Can anyone confirm that the (copper?) spring can be bent to firm up pressure on the lever and thus keep the timer operating? - Paul Barrow, if you're there, is this what you have fixed for people before? - or should the spring be brazed to the lever? Thanks as always folks. John.

J P Hall

... better angle showing spring pressing on little lever.

J P Hall

Hello John, I have never dismantled one of these. The return spring that I sell if often missing from the timer. In all likelihood the originals did not last long and once broken, they would jam the switch. Removing the broken return spring allows the use of the switch without a timer, and gets the car back on the road. I can see you have taken photos prior to assembly. Can you post a picture of the top of the timer ?. The image here shows the bottom of the timer - what does your top side look like ?. I will email you a copy of the fitting instructions for my return spring - this may help you to understand where the missing spring fits. Cheers Tony Slattery The Classic Workshop

A L SLATTERY

Here's an early look at the pretty simple set of cogs; each cog sits at a specific height, so they interlock one with another. Then there are the levers and return spring on the outer face. Nothing like a good challenge on a wet weekend in the tropics! John.

J P Hall

Also: I don't have access to special watchmaker's cleaning fluid or oil - what would be a suitable fluid in which to soak the clock mechanism (say overnight)? And what sort of fine/lightweight oil to gently lubricate before reassembly? Thanks always, John. PS Tony - here is the configuration at the top side, as requested.

J P Hall

Hi everyone, on reading all the interesting comments about the trafficator clockwork timer, I thought I'd take a closer look at mine, and sure enough, like everything else on YB 0444, it's knackered!! Now I have a little bit of knowledge from reading all your articles, it looks as if somebody has removed the spring and connecting arms in an attempt to make it run manually? I'm not sure if I should try and source the missing parts before I ask Paul if I can send it to him to pass on for repair. I will post a couple of photos showing exactly what I have, but I think the missing parts are the spring which Tony produces, the main lever which John Hall photographed, and the main arm which sits on top of the timer. Any advice will be welcome! Mick.

Mick Smith

This is the other side of the timer which appears to have a reference 31/60. Mick.

Mick Smith

Progress: the cog assembly is pretty straightforward - I have the advantage of a spare unit for reference, so the assembly of (a)cogs to base; (b) levers and spring; and (c) joining the 2 brass plates top and bottom, took an hour all up. Mainly due to the need to test the movement of each cog and lever several times! It's certainly fiddly, and small hands helps. On test, my repaired unit appears to work, but I will clean everything while I send for the new main spring from Tony Slattery, who mercifully also lives in Queensland. Re. my original question: the tiny spring seems to just sit over the curved edge of the equally-tiny lever. I notice that on my spare (more recent) unit, the tiny lever-and-spring have been done away with. Obviously a clumsy early design which was sensibly superseded. Hope this helps anyone else who might be tempted to have a go. John.

J P Hall

... and from the outside - need new main spring.

J P Hall

I'm pleased to report that reassembly of my broken unit has been entirely successful - as outlined above, the installation of the cogs on the baseplate follows a logical sequence so that each drives the next; and the cam and main lever on the topside cleverly work together against the tension of the Slattery Spring (hereby christened!), to rotate the centre spindle and its attached cam in either direction, so that contact is made for about 15 seconds before the cam loses contact with the indicator prong. Layman's outline, of course. I'm grateful to Tony Slattery for his ready help and for his excellent new spring; also Richard and Pete above, and to Paul Barrow as always. I'll try to attach pics of finished clockwork bits - resting on a page of Practical Classics. John.

J P Hall

... and t'other side.

J P Hall

This thread was discussed between 06/03/2019 and 15/03/2019

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