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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Dizzy Cap & Steering rack Clearance

Doing a few jobs on the car this weekend (1972 - 1275) and noted just how close the dizzy cap is to the rack. This made me think that it must just be me and the wrong dizzy cap, but the leads etc have the angled ends, to fit the top entry cap, so i thought i would ask the Midget Collective :)

The Dizzy is an Aldon yellow unit, and all though i cannot think its only its internals that are different, i throw it out there for the wise ones to comment on.
P Bentley

Mine has side entry type where the leads go straight in and are secured with a screw, so lots of clearance. Part no GDC102.
AdrianR

you want a side entry cap, several available. I use a Maestro one with the screw fittings sawn down to retain the spring clip closure.
David Smith

thanks gents. . . . always useful to have a second, third (etc) opinion
P Bentley

Original screw in side entry cap clearance -

Nigel Atkins

(Bosch) push on side entry cap with 90 degree HT lead boots (not the best way to do it, leads were free with 123 dissy).

Nigel Atkins

Finally (custom made) HT leads with straight boots on (Bosch) side entry cap for 123 dissy -

Nigel Atkins

I have a couple available, if you're stuck?

Dave O'Neill 2

Side entry on mine too (1974 Mk III) with clips, not screws.
Peter Blockley

Thanks for the replies, i have ordered one (clip variety)
back on the road soon. . . . cheers
P Bentley

I am lost on the "Steering rack Clearance" issue. Mine (Midget Mk IV - 1275) is nowhere near the rack and from others pictures they are very much the same.
Stan Kowznofski

Stan,
OP has an aftermarket dissy that has a cap with top (push on to) connector posts so they project near to the steering column rod instead of the (screw in or push on to) cap with posts at right angle.

A lot can depend on the overall length of each HT leads and the way they route as to how much or little clearance there might be, look at my secomd photo, theey're quite close there because of the HT leads supplied having right angled boots at the dissy end. There must have been a reason why I didn't angle the boots towards the engine but I can't remember why (perhaps I simply didn't think).
Nigel Atkins

Indeed, the OP referred to the rack, when it should have been the column.

Stan’s Dissy cap will be even further from the column than many, as his car is presumably left hand drive 😀
Dave O'Neill 2

I have a frogeye that has a top entry dizzy cap, that runs very close to the steering column.
So am planning to change it to the side entry cap. Should I go with push on, or screw in leads, or does it make no difference at all?
Having said that, I dont think I have seen push fit caps for sell anywhere?
Graham V

Graham

If you have the original style DS2 or 25D4, you will only get the screw terminal cap AFAIK.

The caps above are for the later 45D4 dissy.
Dave O'Neill 2

I know when l changed to an A+ electronic ignition dizzy it needed a screw fixed side entry cap and l couldn't locate one. I used a clip type side entry one and modified it with resin to fill in the clip positions and drilled new screw holes.
GuyW

whoops. . . . . i did say rack and meant Column, sorry to confuse.
regards
Peter
P Bentley

Dave
Thanks - Yes its the original dissy, so that explains it, thanks
Graham V

Sorry, that should have been DM2.
Dave O'Neill 2

FTAO DAVE.....the dizzy cap arrived and it doesnt fit, i cnnot seem to upload a pic to this page, but it looks like my unit is a 45d. Albeit that it has clips on the outside rather than a screw fitting. . . . .
is there such a thing as a clip, side entry cap....i ask you as you seem to be the Dizzy man so to speak, or shall i buy one of yours from you and modify the unit.
Will happily email you pics, if you want. This could avoid my further confusion :)
P Bentley

I'm not aware of a side-entry cap with clips.

What I used to do was remove the screws and then file a small groove in the ledge, so that the clip had something to grip.

I would have used a Dremel, but I don't own one ;o)
Dave O'Neill 2

here's a side entry that takes clips; it's also very low-profile and makes access and removal easier.

David Smith

that looks like the bit i need. . . .well done Dave. Any part number info anywhere or did you find it down the back of the sofa ?
P Bentley

it's Maestro 1600 / 1.6 - several on ebay, different sellers and prices but mostly about a tenner :-)
The lug for the clips is a bit large, I file them down a bit to make fitting easier.
David Smith

many thanks, i had a nose, and have ordered the part from Aldon Automotive.
Its a DDB194, which can either be clipped or screwed in depending. £10.50

Job Done, thanks to all.
P Bentley

That's surprising, as Aldon charge a premium of £20 for a distributor with a side-entry cap, over a top-entry cap.
Dave O'Neill 2

No that's not the one in my pic. I use DDB123 or more usually the Intermotor equivalent.
David Smith

David and Dave already know this but be very careful when using the manufacturers' and especially sellers cross-reference databases as they're full of errors, omissions and redundant codes.

I spent a long time sorting through various databases to find a few correct and available 5/8" oil filter and even one manufacturer had the wrong description on their own web site which was copied by the sellers.

For the search I was doing only Fram and A-Series Spares seemed to have accuracy the rest seemed to be tripping up over each others errors - but they normally put up a disclaimer for their cross-references - so beware.
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 25/06/2018 and 29/06/2018

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