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MG MG Y Type - Trafficator Clockwork Mechanism

(1)I've followed the excellent "how to" in Hints and Tips (IMGYTR), to take apart and service the outer components. What I need to do is clean the actual clockwork components, and I think persuade the little hooked strip to engage with its cog to actuate the clockwork timer. When I move the hooked strip to engage it manually, the mechanism works perfectly.
Is there a "how to" for this fix? - I'm happy to try to fix it myself if possible.
(2) As a matter of interest, my original YA mechanism is at the top of the photo and appears correct; but my spare has a different configuration, wishbone-style contact springs. You can just make out what appears to be a stamped MGY and 48/50 underneath. Would this be from a YB?
Thanks as ever ... John.


J P Hall

John
There are three different styles of mechanism with two being very similar but they all work similarly so do not worry that you have different ones ... other than that the parts are not interchangable.

On the top side (you show the bottom side) do you have have a big old tension spring against the 'pivot arm' that engages with the mechanism? You do not mention that in the message earlier.

For cleaning clockwork mechanisms you really need an ultra sonic cleaning bath.

If you decide not to proceed with this yourself you can mail the entire mechanism to me and I will get it serviced for you. If you decide to do that DO NOT ATTEMPT to take it apart in any way. The last time someone did that and sent it to me, it was missing one cog that had to be completely hand made to replace it and there were other parts that I had to provide from my spares here. With that said, I believe the customer now to be happy with his unit. Please see also http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/imgytr/stores/trafficators.shtml.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Hi again Paul - thanks for that. I do plan to use the ultrasonic bath, and I'll definitely preserve the integrity of my spare, in case something goes wrong with Plan A. The link you put up won't work for me, so I'll try to get at it direct with my limited skills.
The big outer tension spring is present and correct, and later today I'll make sure it's engaged correctly. Happy to keep trying, but as a matter of interest, what ballpark figure should I expect for your man to set one up for me?
Yours, John.
J P Hall

John

When you say the link "won't work for me" - what happens? It works fine for me.

You could also try http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/imgytr/vendors.shtml and scroll to the last item on the page and click on the link there.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Paul, the link says -
"Sorry, the page you are looking for is not linked. Please report this to the Webmaster so that we can investigate it for you."
I had managed to find the item you suggested, and I'd say one of my clockwork mechanisms will end up going to him for repair. Thanks for the contact.John.
J P Hall

John
Paul does the work himself, other than the making of clockwork cogs.

I am the person Paul referred to who sent an incomplete mechanism to him. It was missing parts when I dismantled it.

Thanks to Paul, I have a complete workable mechanism which I will be fitting to my YT, once I sort out other mechanical problems which came to light over the weekend (and which I will outline in a separate thread in the next day or two).

cheers Stuart
Stuart Duncan

Thanks for the kind words Stuart, but you didn't have to 'fess up to that LOL!

Glad it is working fine and hope that you get a lot of service from it. Would love to see a picture of what the new knurled turn ring looks like in situ. What color did you paint it? When I painted mine here I used a Sienna Brown base coat with a light dusting of matt black finisher.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Paul
I found an original knurled turn ring in a box of parts that came with the car, so no need to use the new ring you sent. If anyone in Australia is after a steering wheel turn ring, let me know. No missing large cog though.

It is interesting fitting the trafficator mechanism to a YT with a turn indicator stalk switch. Still trying to get electrics (including blinker unit) correct.

Stuart
Stuart Duncan

It is all about the alignment of the 'fingers' on the main column lining up correctly with the rings inside the split rings on the column. They need to be perfectly aligned up. There also needs to be a decent amount of SILVER SOLDER (do not use plumber's or electrical solder as this is way to hard and will wear out the brass rings) on the ends of the fingers.

If you are still having issues with this Stuart, then seek assistance from someone like Tony S who has Y Type experience to find out what your problem is.

Paul
Paul Barrow

This thread was discussed between 05/05/2018 and 08/05/2018

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