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MG MG Y Type - Distributor Orientation

I am trying to settle on the "ideal" orientation for the distributor for a YA. The side entry cap can pose a few issues, so I thought I would pose the question here.

Attached is a photo that works for me on Y1006.

Can anyone post a photo of an alternative orientation that works for them.

Once I am "locked in", I plan to setup all my Y's with the same orientation, so I can easily swap caps & leads when fault finding or grabbing an urgent "spare".

Thanks in anticipation,

Tony

A L SLATTERY


I had a 1961 FIAT OSCA Spyder with a side entry distributor. Originally it faced 180 from your picture. Facing the radiator.
If anyone spat within 400 feet, somehow, it would end up on the dizzy and the engine would miss. Forget wet weather. I tried all sorts of weather proofing. Silicone grease, Permatex,..., all to no avail.
I eventually faced it as you have it and that tended to solve everything.

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

Facing the leads to the rear away from the radiator/front is not an option, due to the engine vent pipe.

Later cars & YT's had top entry caps so not such an issue, but I am wanting the same orientation across the models to enable easy swaps.

Any early YA owners out there with photos ?.

Cheers

Tony
A L SLATTERY

Hi Tony, the attached picture may be of some help to you. The picture was taken in 1949 when my car was new and clearly shows the orientation of the Distributor and wires. The distributor remains that way to this day. You will note the the wires pass thru a round retainer which appear to be made of fiber similar to a normal fiber washer but much thicker.
Terry

T J Ciantar

Thanks Terry, That photo is great - just what I needed.

What is the position of #1 plug lead - is it at 8o'clock ?. It's just not clear with the fibre washer where the #1 lead enters the cap.

Cheers

Tony
A L SLATTERY

Tony, the position is as per attached diagram.

Terry Y2866

T J Ciantar

Thanks Terry for clearing that up.

I will try your arrangement and see if it works on YA & YT caps with the fibre "tidy washer".

Cheers

Tony
A L SLATTERY

Tony, this is a photo of my 1950 YA showing what I think is the same distributor as Terrys but, as you can see the No1 lead is at the 8 o'clock position to give 1432 firing order. Mine came to me without the retainer so got renewed untidily,

John F Y4895

J Foster

Some close-up pictures of the High tension Cables, Ends and the retainer with measurements.

Terry Y2866

T J Ciantar

And an other picture.

T J Ciantar

And an other.

T J Ciantar

This is how I did it a few years ago.

Now I've fitted black leads which are a little bit longer to prevent the wires rubbing together. The cap is still orientated upwards.

Willem van der Veer

Hi Willem, That is very neat. I must try that one too.

Thank You

Tony
A L SLATTERY

This thread was discussed between 30/06/2017 and 03/07/2017

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