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MG MG Y Type - new newbie questions: engine timing, hinge, emblem

Hi all :

The original ignition timing for the engine is listed as TDC.
I assume this was for postwar fuels of lesser quality and less octane than modern fuels.
What is the best setting for the timing nowadays please ?
What do owners use and recommend on a YT (twin carb), please ?

MG TD's use the same XPAG engine with twin SU carbs. Would their timing setting be the same nowadays ?

also :
Does anyone in Europe have a left hand boot hinge they want to sell please ?
Does anyone have (a picture of) the correct boot MG emblem, or one they want to sell please ? Mine is a modern emblem that was put in its place but clearly is too modern.

Most sincerely,

Woody
Bjlp De Saar

Hello Bjlp,

Yes basically set it up the same as your TD. If you can, always try and get 100% ethanol free fuel - better for all the fuel components but the XPAG engine itself is very tolerant of garbage gasoline that is available these days - it just burns hotter so aim off for that a bit.

As to the hinges - they were only used on the MG Y although apparently they are similar to those used on a Morgan car door hinge but I have not been able to confirm that at all. They ARE left and right handed though on the base and have been NLA for a long time. Richard Knight - one of our UK representatives may have some as I know he bought out most of the remaining stock when the Australian supplier of remanufactured hinges stopped doing them. You can find his details on the https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/imgytr/contactus.shtml Contact Us Page and send him a message from there.

Likewise the boot lid badge, because of the curvature of the lid, was originally unique too. Many though are replaced with one from the front radiator grill nose piece (https://mgbits.com/contents/en-uk/p10723_mg-badge-grille-dark-brown_cream-ty.html or https://mgbits.com/contents/en-uk/p4211_Grille-Badge-MG-Brown-_-Cream.html) and you will need a little silicone RTV behind it to seal it and a long narrow socket to fit it. Please post a picture of what you have on the car currently though.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Hi Paul ;

Thank you for your prompt reply and my apologies for such trivial newbie questions.

I have contacted Richard Knight in the UK via their website as you suggested.

I enclose a picture of the damaged LH boothinge. It seems some PO did not know there were handed.....

Also a picture of the MG badge on the bootlid. As you can see this is a modern badge and stands out like a sore thumb.

I do have a TD radiator nosepiece with a badge on it. If I can not find an affordable correct bootlidbadge (how can I distinguish these form a radiator nose badge , but the way ??? Any side-by-side pics to compare ?), I may go that route eventually, but we will see what turns up first.

Most sincere thanks for your replies !

Woody





Bjlp De Saar

No such thing as a trivial question in my opinion Bjlp - if you (or someone else) asks a question it is because you need and answer and so in my opinion it is important to try to answer that for the questioner.

Yes the boot hinge has definitely been butchered! I hope you can find an answer from Richard soon. If he no longer has any I will investigate the opportunity for getting something remade but that is a long and expensive process.

As to the boot badge - yes that it definitely incorrect LOL. That looks like the ZA/ZB or MGB badge and the NTG one will be much better for you.

Thank you for sharing the pictures and contact me personally if you do not hear back from Richard.

Regards

Paul

Paul Barrow

Thank you for your reply Paul.

I will give Richard some time to reply and see what happens.

Kind regards,

Woody
Bjlp De Saar

Woody - squinting a bit, your hinges look pretty clean - the old "pot metal" often pits badly but yours appear quite smooth. It may be that the respective upper and lower parts have simply been mixed up by a p.o.? It's easy to press out the pin and investigate. I too have spares, but I painted them because the chrome had deteriorated. John.
J P Hall

John,

If you look at Bjlp's picture and scroll down the pin has broken the lower hinge casting and that is why he needs a new hinge.
Paul Barrow

Have a spare original boot badge and hinges, badge has some chips to enamel and hinge may be OK for the replacement of your broken part by removing pin.




Rob Snell

Rob - is that badge a front one or rear? The bar looks a little short for a rear one? I believe the rear ones (originally) were slightly contoured to the boot lid.


Bjlp

Rob Snell's badge could work for you but you will need to weld a longer thread on the bar.
Paul Barrow

Hi Paul,
Believe it is a original boot badge as it has the locating pin and a lot flatter than the grill badge, it is identical to the boot badge on my Yt and Ya , bolt length fine as only has to go through boot skin.




Rob Snell

Bjlp - Rob's badge is what you need.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Bjlp - Rob Snell is a reliable guy to buy from. Yes, shipping will not be cheap but where are you going find another so you can contact him with reliability!

Did Richard Knight from the UK get back to you on the hinges?

Paul

Paul Barrow

This thread was discussed between 13/05/2026 and 19/05/2026

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