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MG MG Y Type - Tires, mirrors, turns, & keys.....

We are new to YA ownership and have questions (1)are tire sizes 5:50 x 16" approved? (2) I notice the popular placement for exterior mirrors seems to be on the wings. OK to place on door for better vision? (3)What type of additional turn signals are owners using? (4) I can't seem to find key blanks that are like my ignition and trunk keys (5) What are owners using for temp gauges, moto meters? Thanks all!! Russ
RussBees

1) Handbook says 5.50x16 anyway. Some modern tyres seem wider, and need to be deflated to fit into the wheel locker. Cary a footpump!
2)It was common in those days to fit 'wing-mirrors'. Putting them on the doors is far more sensible, as you can see what is behind better. 'Wing mirrors' were more for judging the cars width in narrow areas, possibly.
3) Send for the 'Y' Registers leaflet on fitting flashing indicators. Your current semaphor system cannot cope with the higher amps needed, but you can run them in tandem, ( is have both working.) See the Registers Web-site.
4)The keys are common, contact Lanchester Vintage Spares on 01524 423453, or any MG specialist. You key type is probably a FS, or FP or FA. Unfortunately you will find that nearly every other key from a YA,YB,YT ZA and ZB will fit your worn locks!!!
5) I use a calorometer mounted in the radiator filler cap. Others fit temperature guages that have the sensor in the radiator header tank, ( as the Wolseley 4/44 and TF use. These use an almost identical engine.) The 'Y' does not have a pressurised cooling system, so the water will evaporate as normal, you need to keep topping it up.

I help run the Y register Tech Support. You can get to me, or David Pelham, easily via the Y We-site, < www.mgytypes.org >

Neil.
Neil Cairns

My handbook says 5.25 x 16. A 5.50 x16 would not fit in the spare tyre compartment even 40 years ago, don't know about today's sizes and if they are of a larger diameter. If I were going to use 5.50 deflated to fit I would carry an electric pump and rig up a connection as per a TC. Can't think of more frustration than having to change a tyre and then have to use a foot or hand pump to inflate it. Otherwise 5.50 seems to be a better size. Terry
Terry O'Brien

I would disagree with the thrust of your comments on wing mirrors Neil. Their fitment (rather than door mirrors)was comsidered best practice in days gone by. Then it was considered that door mirrors were less safe as they needed a turn of the head to use them whereas wing mirrors could be used by simply moving the eyes. This may have more to do with the fashions which we see in health and safety issues than reality though. The common occurrence of quarter lights in the past probably had a lot to do with things as thay made door mirrors more difficult to mount in their ideal position. I have always found that wing mirrors_can_give an excellent view but, and it's a big but, finding the best position to mount them on the wing is very difficult, as is the choice of the shape of the arm, and you only get one go! In addition adjusting them is a real chore which seems never ending.

Ian Thomson.
ian thomson

Another point regarding wing mirrors vs door mirrors, is how often you need to adjust them. On a car with door mirrors, I need to adjust them when I swap driving with my wife. With wing mirrors I don't because the sight path is longer and closer to perpendicular to the glass.
dan

Neil

Add the Nash Metropolitan to the list of cars with common keys. My college roommate had a Metro and the key fit my 49 YT well enough.

FWIW

Larry
49 YT
Lawrence Hallanger

This thread was discussed between 23/03/2003 and 24/03/2003

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