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MG MG Y Type - Starter Switch

When I purchased my YA in 1960 it had a push button starter switch mounted through a hole in the bulkhead [the battery box on this car is offset to the left side]. After consultation I understood that all Y types were fitted with a pull switch, so I have obtained one in order to restore the car to original spec. However after mounting all the bits & pieces to the bulkhead there are no tell tail holes left to suggest where the switch was mounted, so can someone shed light on the position of the said switch. I have a theory that in the dark post war days of 'export or die' they for a time ran out of the correct switches and fitted whatever came to hand.
Bryan

I recently fitted a new solenoid and push button starter to my YA in place of the pull starter.

When I showed this to another Y owner, he said that the early Ys had push buttons, and I should have asked him, as he has one and the one I bought is not much like the original.

On the basis that he has 4 Y's and heaps of spares, I'm inclined to think that he knows of what he speaks.

Do you want me to ask for more details?
michael

Bryan

If you check out the Historical Timeline (go to www.mgytypes.org, click on the NEWS page, scroll down the NEWS page, and in the left margin of the NEWS page click the Miscellany sub heading in the index and then select Historical Timeline) and go to 1950 you will see that Y 4459 was the last offset battery box, and that with Y4460 the PULL starter switch was introduced.

There was a definite change over at this time and although the 'whatever goes' is true in some instances, it wasnt so in this case.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Bryan

Michael is correct, early (Offset Battery Box) Ys had a Push Button starter. I attach a copy of page 16 from the First Edition of the Owners Handbook showing the round headed button.

It is interesting that the Export Edition of the Owners Handbook, the one including the MG Tourer also showed the starter button. Although subsequent eHome editions of the Handbook showed the hexagonal headed pull starter switch

Regards.

David.


David Pelham

Thanks all. Page 16 of my owners handbook does show a pull switch. Since the previous owner told me that the book came with the 1948 car I can only assume he was given a newer edition. Page 62 shows the offset battery box. [why does all this matter to me, Im becoming an anorak]
Bryan

Bryan

I have checked Page 62 in all 4 editions of the handbook and all showed the offset Battery Box on Page 62.

REgards.

DAvid.
David Pelham

Thanks David. I think that I shall put my Head into a bucket of cold water, and then plead with B&G if I can have my money back for the starter switch.
Bryan

Gang-
If anyone does not want a push start, I would be happy to relieve them of any 'excess to needs' assemblies, as the old pull start is becoming a little painfull at times.
Paul
YB UMG814
Paul Gaynor

My push button on 0330 is damaged, by me I'm afraid, I got a Wolseley one at Beaulieu the other year; its not exact but adaptable. Neil might know better?

Slater Reynolds
Slater Reynolds

All these switches are Lucas items, and used on other Nuffield cars of the time. All the switches on my YB are identicle to a 1949 Series Two Morris Minor I once owned. I still have its switches. Also, those used on the Wolseley 4/44 are the same again, even down to the pull type starter. They only differ in the shape-colour-and initial on the knob. My father's Hillmans and Singers also used the same Lucas switches.

NC.
Neil Cairns

This thread was discussed between 22/11/2007 and 04/12/2007

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