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MG MGB Technical - Map light ...

... at the far end of the dash on early cars.

Most sources indicate that this is the same as the number plate light, minus the curved plinth that the number plate light needs.

However that has quite a large bulb holder with a rubber cover that would need to protrude through the dash, whereas the dash on a pal's car bought as an abandoned restoration only has a relatively small hole in that position, so small that not even the metal part of a bulb will go through, let alone the bulb holder.

So anyone with that map light, I'd be grateful if you could feel behind the dash and tell me if there is a bulb holder sticking through, or only a wire, or if you can shed any other light on this conundrum.

Thanks.
Paul Hunt

I always assumed that it was the same, as it looks very similar.

I can have a look at mine when I get home, as it is now the right way up and almost on the ground.
Dave O'Neill 2

Thanks Dave, but we have now sussed out what is going on.

It's actually a claw-type holder as used in the speedo and tach that pushes into the dash from the back, and only the cover, glass and seal are used from the number plate light.

The problem is that the chap with the car is totally blind and is many miles from me, and can only describe what he can feel. There was something on the end of the two wires coming from the harness, but it seemed to him that it was only the contacts for a bulb holder, not including the tube the bulb would screw in to. It was only when I said that a claw-type holder should work, that he suddenly realised that is what he could feel on the end of his wires.
Paul Hunt

Paul
I'm intrigued - impressed, What is a blind man doing restoring a 'B'and all the other questions that go with that - None of my business really but crikey!!!!!
cheers
willy
William Revit

Willy - for pleasure. He's had two in the past one of which he reassembled from an abandoned restoration, and currently has three others - a Mk1 roadster nearing completion, a part done Mk2 GT similar to the first one he rebuilt, and a V8 roadster conversion which is road-worthy.

The story of his first rebuild is here http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/terry2.htm
Paul Hunt

Paul
I'm completely blown away - fantastic effort
Thanks for the reply
willy
William Revit

This thread was discussed between 23/02/2015 and 24/02/2015

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