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MG MGA - One for Steve Gyles re jacks

Went to Beaulieu auto jumble on Saturday to see if I could get a 'period' jack for the car, just something that looked the part. Ended up with a Shelley LJ31 which is for a Vanguard or GPO vans from Steve's database. What's interesting is the jack handle, of which the seller had many. The one I bought fits the jack end fine but the other end has what can only be described as a bayonet fitting. When I got it home the starter handle fits it exactly and to my mind was designed for this purpose. Just coincidence or is this a known solution? If any interest I can post photo's.

Regards to all
Alan
AR Terry

Alan

A large number of car jacks have the winding hole shaped to take the starter handle. I don't quite understand whether you are saying your LJ31 has such a winder hole or whether it's an odd handle you bought. Yes, please send me photos; probably best to hit the contact me button on the website rather than post here.

The Shelley LJ31 as you realise is not an MGA issued jack but it is a very good little jack (just over 5" high) being low enough to fit under the axle or chassis with a deflated tyre. It is 3 tier screw which makes up for its short height but begs the question whether it has sufficient lifting height on the main screw. The other 2 screws have to be first wound up by hand to make contact with the axle/chassis and then the handle winder is used on the main screw - but it only has about a 4.5 inch lift and is that sufficient for an MGA?

Steve
Steve Gyles

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your reply. It's purely for cosmetics as the original jacks are so rare, they are also old (as you said on website) so would not trust them in operation anyway.

The handle slots into the jack with a 3/4 square drive. Its the outer end that has the bayonet fitting that takes the starter handle, so when joined together you have nearly 4 feet of reach under the car. Well clear at the back end and seems to lift the car absolutely fine. Is a picture still of interest to you?
Regards

Alan
AR Terry

Alan

Ah, understand now. Yes please send a photo, not seen that before. Like you, I would not use the old jacks now. I keep a modern scissor in the boot. I have an MGA Shelley LJ23 that was used with early cars. The bulk used the King Dick hour glass base. They come up only rarely for sale although Moss does a reproduction with handles at over £100.

Steve
Steve Gyles

I will stick the photos here Steve as I know how to do it!

AR Terry

and another..

AR Terry

no 3

AR Terry

Thanks Alan. Never seen one before. May I use the photos in the databases? I will be happy to credit the photo copyright to you if you wish.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Id be honoured to have the pics in your database Steve. No problem with copyright.

Regards
Alan
AR Terry

Alan

Many thanks. Can I pester you for one more photo of the complete handle sideways on showing both ends? Can you also confirm the length?

Cheers

Steve
Steve Gyles

It's 19.5 inches long Steve. It has a patent number 658655 attributed to Shelley in Jan 1949. You can find the full patent description on Google patents https://patents.google.com/patent/GB658655A/en?oq=658655

If the photos no good let me know.
Best
Alan

AR Terry

Alan

I have entered your handle into my Shelley database. The patent dates from about the time the Shelley LJ series of jacks started to appear so I have entered it at the top of that page. There is a chance it was supplied with or was an option with the MGA Shelley LJ23 jack for the early 1500s as that jack has the same 3/4" drive hole.

You can see it here: http://www.classic-british-car-jacks.uk/shelley_jacks_2.htm#Shelley_Bayonet_Handle

Please let me know if there is anything you would like me to add or alter.

For everyone else I am always delighted to receive jack information. For example Barney and I are still keen to know at which chassis number the early MGAs switched from the LJ23 to the King Dick B1077. The best information I have to date is that up to at least chassis number 18272 had the LJ23.

Steve
Steve Gyles

This thread was discussed between 21/05/2019 and 27/05/2019

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