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MG MGA - Heater panel

In the SF catalogue it shows the retaining screws for fixing the heater panel to the dashboard, and it shows 2 spacers per screw. I only have the larger spacers from my dismantling several years ago, but the switch seems to mount properly without the smaller spacers, ie the horizontal lever lines up in the slot OK. So why the extra spacers? Am I missing something (as usual)?
Art Pearse

The Moss cat. shows only the one spacer so I guess I'm OK!
Art Pearse

Two spacers are required, the smaller one goes above the switch plate
dominic clancy

Really? Where does the big one go?
Art Pearse

Art,

I was also missing some bits for the heater panel so I got the assembly set from TC. As well as the long and short spacers in the kit there were two mysterious rectangular fibre washers about 1/16" thick. Unfortunately there was no assembly drawing with the kit and the SPL is not too helpful. I pondered over all these bits for a while and in the end decided they went like this in order:-

Long hex headed bolt
washer (flat one I think)
Bakelite control panel
Short spacer
Lever control assembly (LCA)
Long spacer
Fibre washer
Dashboard extension
Dash brace
Caged nut on dash brace

The short spacer is about 1/4" long and serves to position the lever of the LCA with the slot in the control panel. The long spacer is around 11/16".

Maybe the inclusion of the fibre washers in the kit was because Todd's long spacer was about 1/16" too short and the control panel needs to be spaced a little bit from the dashboard.

In the SPL, even though it is not pictured, the short spacer is listed and given as 1/4" long. There appears to be a mistake in the length of the long spacer but it could be given as 5/8". Interestingly there is pictured what looks to be a rectangular washer above the long spacer but no detail....................................Mike
m.j. moore

The fibre washer is original and used, I believe, to keep the assembly together prior to final installation. This type of fibre washer was also used in other applications in vehicle assembly for the same reason, typically seat belts.
Neil McG

Mike and Neil have it exactly
dominic clancy

Well, my switch assembly lines up well without the 1/4" spacer! The bakelite is quite deep where the bolt enters. Could it be that there was originally a thinner section bakelite, requiring the spacer to line up the switch?
My panel is new from Moss.
I agree about the function of the fibre washer.
Art Pearse

Have I got the switch plate upside down? The switch is above the plate, and switch cable is pointing to the left.
Art Pearse

Looks like I have it upside down, so that explains the need for spacers and the cable pointing wrong.
I was misled by the catalogue pictures which are WRONG!
Also realized I have a "Push and turn" label on the panel, but a "push-pull" switch.
Guess I can paint out the "and turn"

Art Pearse

I vaguely remember someone on this forum saying that they had a very early car with an original heater control panel having 'Push & Turn' on. Apparently the 'Turn' switched on the blower motor.

I think SF does the HCP with just 'Push' on it.......................Mike
m.j. moore

"Push and Turn" is now push or pull only to open or close the flap in the heater tube, ie, air flow or no air flow. The printing is as per the original, but has been incorrect for at least 20 years or more!
Peter.
P. Tilbury

It's very easy to scratch the extra lettering off with a hiby knife
dominic clancy

The "Push and Turn" is related to the early cars that have the switch for the fan included in the knob.

Gio

Giovanni Delicio

This is the original switch for the early cars. As you can see the switch can only be activated when the push-button is inserted.When the button is "in" the flap would be open and the ventilation could be activated.
See also ob Barneys page:

http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/heater/hr102.htm

Gio


Giovanni Delicio

This thread was discussed between 23/11/2013 and 27/11/2013

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