MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

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 Midget and Sprite Technical - Frogeye Tempature guage connection to 1275

I have a frogeye with a 1275 engine and an 'uprated' radiator, but the radiator has no boss to connect the temperature gauge 'bulb'. I thought it was straight forward to screw the sensor bulb into the head but the sensor connection nut is internally threaded, as is the head, and 1275 adaptor. Is there an adaptor that does this and is available, or is it a case of making up an adaptor?, If so does anyone know what thread sizes are needed?
Many thanks
Slowly

""The sensor connection nut is internally threaded, as is the head, """

HMMM.... your saying the fitting on the capulary tube has female threading and the head is of course female threading ???

Got a photo, id like to see that

Im thinking wrong gauage. Smith does gauges for other cars not just MGs, maybe the gauge is to a Ferrari dino... ""CHA - CHING, that could pay for a retirement condo in the cayman islands

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Thanks Prop.
From what I can gather the Frogeye and Mk1 Midget had the sensor mounted in the radiator header tank, and I think, but cannot confirm that it had a different fitting.
As for the 'gauge for a Dino', I am afraid I am not that lucky, and I think I may need a couple of Dino's to afford your style of retirement!
Photo attached if my technical skills allow.

Regards

Slowly

the bulb head should just screw into the cylinder head via an adapter and washer ( 11K2846 & AED172 ), you might need to use some kind of sealant also as it might leak without
Nigel Atkins

Hate to name drop, but all the Dino's I've ever worked on have electric temp gauges!


It would have to be a bloody long capillary to go front to rear on a Dino and a nightmare to fit.
SR Smith 1

Your a lucky man SR, ive only seen dinos in magizines and tv

Slowly... now I understand, I wasnt able to invision what you had, but I agree with nigel on how to fix

Btw... welcome to the BBS

Im using an aftermarket electric gauge and I used varous brass plumbing fitting to get mine to fit

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

The adaptor that Nigel mentions is only to provide more space for the bulb, it won't allow a female nut to be fitted to the head.

There was a discussion recently about what the thread was - I can't remember offhand - but what you need is known (in plumbing terms) as a nipple, having a male thread on each end.
Dave O'Neill 2

Slowly,

Frogeye did indeed have temperature sensor bulb screwed in to radiator. Standard coupling was male, not the female variety shown in your photograph.

Sorry that's not very helpful in solving your issue though!!

Simon
SA Wood

I hope it is okay to do this but slowly might find this thread from another forum usefull?

http://ttypes.org/ttt2/mg-tc-temperature-gauge-adapter

Jim
J Smith

Many thanks to you all.
Local supplier also does an externally threaded adapter, I just didn't know to ask.
Thanks
Slowly

Slowly

Welcome, and it sounds like you have got your solution.

If you wanted an alternative, you could put a adaptor in the top radiator hose:
https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/s/cooling/aluminium-hose-adaptor

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

The adapter you need is a double ended male adapter, with 5/8" UNF for the head tapping, and 3/8" BSP for the nut on the capillary tube.

Speedy Cables ref TE9 is the one to get, please see this link:

http://www.speedycables.com/thread_adaptors.html

Price is a bit steep, but they do have a good selection.

Richard
Richard Wale

This thread was discussed between 22/10/2014 and 29/10/2014

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS now