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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 TD TF 1500 - Starter Switch

The original starter switches had black rubber insulation, whereas the modern ones that I have seen use a harder plastic material. If yours is of the original rubber type, it will have been made from natural rubber. Unlike many of the synthetics used these days, it goes very soft and sticky when it degrades.
Dave H
Dave Hill

The original ones can deteriorate too, but no where near as fast as the most new rubber. There was also some white nylon ones for years that would probably last forever but looked real tacky.

And don't forget the cable boots, clip and heat shrink tubbing when working on this item.
Christopher Couper

Weren’t the original cases also painted black?
W A Chasser

The cable boots are particularly important on a TD as flipping a wrench around on the rear carb can easily cause it to touch the uncovered live terminal. Quite exciting.
John Quilter (TD8986)

All the cases I have seen are cad plated but this is a very rarely photographed area because it is blocked by the horn.
Christopher Couper

I have a few of these starter switches. All were plated. I have one dated 8-1949 that has threaded bolts instead of studs. I can't say it was from an MG.

Another interesting thing is all the bolts/nuts are SAE. 9/16 to be exact. This includes the 1949. It appears Lucas did not convert to either BS or Metric, at least in the 1950's

The first picture is the 1949

The next is from 1968

It would be great if you could get the rubber pads again.




Bruce Cunha

From the TD 1250





L E D LaVerne

Actually Moss still sells the switches with white plastic. I covered all bases when my TD wouldn't start and due to the low price bought one in case. I actually painted the plastic with PD50 (looks good) should I also paint the bright chrome body to "look" original
JON LEVINE

LaVerne. You have added another part to our list of things not previously documented. So the early TD used a bolt on the starter switch.

Ok those out there with early cars, let's see if we can nail down about when they changed to the nut and stud type.

Unfortunately TD 4139 did not have the original when I got it (per the date on it)

Bruce Cunha

TD/4834 had studs but I’ll have to look at it and see if I can find the date code.
W A Chasser

This thread was discussed between 15/05/2020 and 21/05/2020

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