MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MG Y Type - Vital Spares to Carry?

What spares do members recommend I carry in my YB? What is most likely to fail or cause problems? I thought:

condenser
rotor arm
distributor cap
coil?
dynamo drive belt?

And what tools? Imperial spanner ste, screw drivers..

Thanks
Marc
Marc Hanson

Hi Marc,

All of the above are a good start.

If you go to the Technical Centre, Technical Advice page on www.mgytypes.org this question is covered under Spares to carry with you. It is reproduced here.

Spares to carry with you

Question: I was wondering if any of the Y owners out there who have taken their cars on trips to the continent (Europe) have made up a comprehensive list of spares and things to take (for the car of course). I am contemplating a trip this year and although I have made a list of some obvious items there may be some I haven't thought of.

Reply: I do not think that anybody has put together a 'recommended' list. I have taken my Y over on the continent several times to France, Holland, Germany & Luxembourg. I list below things that I would recommend:

1. RAC Get you home cover - This is taking the most pessimistic view first. This cover is usually given free with most Classic car insurance policies.

2. Jack Murray's list of person's offering assistance in Europe. There are many Y Type owners on the continent who are willing to help us when on the other side of the channel.

3. Then down to the actual Bits & Pieces - Probably the most important - a spare half shaft for YA/YT owners.

4. Fan Belt and Hoses.

5. A set of spark plugs, condenser, HT leads, distributor cap, points (contact breakers), and at least one plug cap. (If you have a spare coil it is also worth taking.)

6. A selection of core plugs - Both the large and the small ones.

7. Regulator and dynamo (or at least bushes)

8. Float(s) for carburettor.

9. Some spare wire and insulating tape.

10. A pair of jump leads.

11. A battery charger with a European adaptor plug (Europe only).

12. A wire coat hanger can solve all sorts of problems.

13. Make sure that your Spare Wheel is inflated to the correct pressure before you leave. If you have not taken the wheel out in a long time, get it out to check, a) you can, and b) the condition of the walls of the tyre, and c) its ability to hold pressure. If the walls of the tyre are perished, renew it before you go.

14. Spare lighting bulbs.

15. A warning triangle (This is obligatory in most European Countries)

16. Telephone numbers of Brown & Gammons, NTG and Moss. (All of them send parts to Europe on a next day delivery). On the trip to Brittany in 2002, Brown & Gammons sent some parts to a broken down YB (rocker pillar) and we managed to get it going again. A rocker shaft is also useful if you have one.

17. A spare key, to be left in the battery box, perhaps tape it to the inside. You will never find a MRN key on the continent.

18. The workshop manual - even if you do not speak the language the data may be useful (a calculator and conversion table for weights and measurements - feet and inches into centimetres, volumes, etc will also be invaluable).

19. A lead light - 12 Volt, and a torch too (in case you breakdown at night).

20. Your credit card.

21. Finally any other spare part that you have that will not take up much room.

It is important to remember that whatever you take will probably be a guarantee that you won't need it. However, I think that the above should not take up too much extra space and should protect you against the normal (with 50 year old car) problems. A fire extinguisher is also now mandatory in some European countries, also in some 2 warning triangles are mandatory. Drivers should check with their motoring organisation well before setting off for idiosyncrasies and requirements of the countries they are travelling too.

Paul

Paul Barrow

Credit card and mobile telephone (preferably with internet access) with suitable charging adaptors.
I converted to negative earth mainly to charge the mobile safely.

I do carry a full toolkit and a spare YA-driveshaft, but do not believe in carrying bulky spares like the suggested generator. If you know your fanbelt is on the way out, replace it before you travel?
Willem vd Veer

You can be sure that whatever is needed sods law will apply. The camshaft petrol pump gave up pumping on my other motor, yes I did have a spare but not a special short spanner to fit it! I fortunatly did have a plastic tube and a small bottle that when filled with petrol syphoned into the float chamber, this at least enabled me to reach a service station. Willem gives good advice that a mobile phone is the best idea. I also find string, sticky tape, and of coarse plastic tube come in handy [and some rags to wipe your hands] . Bryan
B Mellem

May I add a word of caution Willem, I also carried a YA spare half shaft but if it does fail there may be fragments of metal in the casing which will get into and damage the crown wheel and pinion. The car should be transported by trailer or flat bed lorry to a garage and the casing cleaned before fitting the half shaft.
B Mellem

Bryan,
I carry the halfshaft as a precaution that it doesn't break.
Willem vd Veer

I used to carry a half shaft but gave that up for a cell phone to call AA. In this part of the world there are not many local mechanics that would have any idea about replacing a halfshaft so you are better off to be transported to a specialist.
I have converted to Pertronix and electronic fuel pump but I carry with me points and condenser and a spare electronic pump. As long as I do that it appears I will never need them. Terry
Terry O'Brien

I once was at an MG Show and there was a prize for the best wheel changing equipment. Sadly, as I was helping to organize the event I could not show off the wonderful Jackall system.

Lots of lovely car jacks, hammers, lug nut wrenches, tool bags etc. were produced, some beautifully decorated with flowers, cuddly toys etc. Are you forming the picture in your mind?

Well, the winner was an enterprising young lady in an MG Midget, who simply took off her pantihose (stockings to UK readers) and draped them over the spare tire.

Just goes to show you, that you really do not need much to elicit any kind of help in an MG - just think outside the box!

Sorry Marc - I dont think this one is an option for you. Stick with the earlier list.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Another little gem from my vast experience of breaking down relates to a puncture to my caravan tyre while travelling on an Ausrian motorway. I stopped by an emergency phone but with only a very limited German couldnt make any sense of the operator. I did fortuntley have a spare inner tube but it is the very devil of a job to get a radial tyre off and re-fitted. The lesson was to have a mobile phone with European access and a English speaking breakdown contact. [It looks like the weather is drying up so I can get back to spraying the YA]
B Mellem

Thanks for the suggestions. With some help from Peter Arnell I have decided on the following:

Dizzy cap
Points
Rotor Arm
Dizzy baseplate with condenser
Fan belt
Coil
Bulbs

I want to put together a period tool set. Can I get the roll from the Register? I have some of the tools already. Apart from Ebay, where I can I get the tools? I'm not bothered about getting over priced originals - repros fine. Thanks.
Marc Hanson

Hi Marc

Yes you can. If you email me off line I will pass your email onto their Regalia guy for you. Our protocol prohibits me to give out email addresses. I am sure you will understand that this is only good practice.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Hello Marc,

Tool rolls based on the original style are available from the MG Car Club Y-Type Register.

Please contact Mike Silk, our Regalia Sales person. You will find his contact details on the MGCC website, together with the full sales list, prices etc., at the following URL:-

http://www.mgcc.co.uk/y-register-shop.html

Best Regards,

Brian Moyse
Secretary
MGCC Ltd. Y-Type Register

Brian Moyse

Hi Marc,
If you are still looking for various tools for your Y, let me know what you want and I may be able to help. I'm gradually sorting out 40+ years of tools etc and having a clearout.
Also, if you are buying elctrical spares, beware some of the "new" lucas parts as they are of poor quality and I have had several failures. I now try and find "new old stock" from a dealer/autojumbler.
Keith
Keith D Herkes

Keith, I would be interested in any tool kit spares you have. Let me know what you find and how much you want for them. Am in no particular hurry.
Marc Hanson

Keith

"Also, if you are buying elctrical spares, beware some of the "new" lucas parts as they are of poor quality and I have had several failures."

Some would say nothing much changes with the Prince of Darkness :-)

Paul
Paul Barrow

Keith,
I would also like to compile an original toolkit for my YT, so if you let me know what you have, I'm certainly interested.

I have the roll, and a few of the spanners, but none of the small tools. Very hard to find here in Australia.

thanks

Tony
A Slattery

Hi Marc and Tony.
Can't guarantee what I may have, but hope to be able to find some items amongst all my "stuff". Please email me off BBS so I have your contact details then I can email you when I have some news. Perhaps a note of what you have already will save me looking unnecessarily. Thanks. Keith
Keith D Herkes

This thread was discussed between 07/06/2010 and 17/06/2010

MG MG Y Type index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MG Y Type BBS now