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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 MG Y Type - New owner

Congratulate me! I am the proud new owner of Y5095, a 1950 with lhd. Any general advice on parts compatability with TC/TD models? Also, where might I find an original or reprint factory manual? The car came with a YB manual but I know there are certain differences in the brake system, diff. etc. Any feedback would be appreciated. ( this thread appeares to have stagnated a bit anyway )
Paul Briggs

Congratulations Paul, as you noted not many 'Y' owners are on the web. Those of us who are have lots of experience, knowledge, etc, so feel free to ask the questions.

Original factory manuals are almost non-existant, but copies of the 'YA' one are available, from the MG Octagon CC and the UK MGOC, ( see club list.) They are about £20 each, then add postage to the USA.

The 'YA' as you have, uses the TC running gear. The TB gave its rear axle, better tls front brakes, different brakedrum-cum-wheel hub, 15" wheels, later Lucas control box to the YB. The 'YA' in return gave its chassis ( with mods at the rear, and 7" cut out of its length,) ifs and rack and pinion steering to the TD.

Your 'YA' has different brakes to the YB and TD, and parts can be hard to source. The rear axle on the TD and YB is the later Nuffield hypoid gear diff version. Your YA has the early Morris sprial-bevel rear axle, as used on the TA, TB, TC, ( and millions of Morris & Wolseley saloon cars, vans, and small commercial vehicles.)

Good books to get hold of for back ground info is a copy of John Lawsons "Y Type Saloons & Tourers", MGCC 'Y' register has them. ( I will attach a sales list for you on an email.) Another is Lawrences " Let There be 'Y's", again copies from the MG Octagon CC. A nice shiny book full of good photo's and history is the one by Aunders Clausager, "MG Saloon Cars", again MGOCC have copies.

I act as the MGCC Register 'Scribe', and admit to writing quite a few articles on the subject of MG saloons. Technical questions welcomed, and do not forget the archives of this web site.

Neil.
Neil Cairns

Hi Paul

Well done and congratulations. You have made the right decision. Neil is the man to contact on techy matters and I am glad he has forwarded a copy of our Sales List.

An item you may avail yourself of on it is the complete Alternate Parts List compiled by John Lawson and republished in full by the MG Car Club Y Type Register. From memory it is £10 plus P&P but please check the list. It is definately a good guide as you can then look wider at autojumbles for that elusive part without say the magic words that inflate price - "MG", and then adding the words "Y Type" before you get the sharp intake of breath and the retort - "well they are hard to come by" and the seller sees $$$ light up.

The Car Club do some spares (see list) and another good source is the MG Octagon Car Club (a selection of Y bits from both are shown on the Alternate Parts List).

If either Neil or I can help, please contact us. Have you registered your car with the car club? If not, please email me the details and I will forward them onto our registrar for you.

Paul Barrow Treasurer MG Car Club Y Type Register
Paul Barrow

Hi Paul, I have an original workshop manual for the YA with a supplement for the YB. Send me your address and I will send a copy out to you for what it costs for postage and copying.
Most of the YA running gear and suspension is the same as a TD with the exception of the rear axle and the brakes. The YA brakes are the same as the Morris 10 and almost the same as the TC. The rear axle is the same as the Morris 10 and of similiar design to the TC, but none of the parts are interchangeable. Strangely enough the YA instruments are nearly identical to the TF and completely different from the TC and TD. I have a few spares left over from when I sold my "Y" many years ago.
Best Regards, Hugh in sunny B.C.

Hugh Pite

Thanks a bunch for your kind responses, and I will certainly take advantage of your expertise. Perhaps, if nobody objects, I could ask some of the basic questions publicly via this bbs to provide some entertainment, and maybe there are some items that may provide new info for some. Two quick ones to start: What is the correct transmission and diff. fluid? The YB manual( I don't have a YA manual yet) says 90 wt. for rear axle, gearbox, and steering gear, but my Moss catalog has SAE 140 "the only correct oil to use in your TC gearbox, steering box, and differential". Is the YB requirement different from the YA? The distributor cap is a side entry but the TC cap in the Moss cat. is a top entry.Pictures I have seen Of other Y's all show side entry. Is this a unique part to Y's?
Paul Briggs

Hi, the gearbox is the same as the TD so go with the 90wt. The diff is similiar to the TC so go with the 140wt. The Austin A-40 also had a distributor cap similiar to a TD but with the wires coming out the side. Probably the early Morris minor had the same arrangement.
Best Regards, Hugh
Hugh Pite

This thread was discussed between 05/10/2001 and 12/10/2001

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