TVRVixen@aol.com wrote:
>
> A short while ago there was a question here asking about
> (I think I remember correctly) the pros & cons of MGA ownership.
> A reply to this question gave lots of info, including mention of the e
> lectrical system being a negative.
[...]
> These cars electrical systems are very easy to work on and parts
> are available at "reasonable" prices (when you consider that
> they are really antiques).
*** I could add that one can ``fix it once and fix it right'', and not
have any more electrical problems. I know its possible, I did it. Here's
how I achieved electrical Nirvana with my `58 MGA:
* Changed out the complete wiring harness. At the time, they cost
about $100 from Moss. Probably a bit more now. Changing the harness
took a day or so. First, I got the schematic and the new harness, and
labelled every single wire with masking tape tags. Then I ruthlessly
chopped the old harness out of the car, hacksawing it in half where
it passed through the firewall. Put in the new harness with all new
grommets.
* Had the generator rebuilt by a local shop. ( $70 )
* Changed out the starter brushes myself.
* Replaced the two 6V batteries with a single 12-volter.
* Replaced the voltage regulator.
* Converted the car to negative ground.
* Took out all the gauges, panel lights, and switches, cleaned the
connections with TV tuner cleaner and Cramoline.
And that's about it. There are still a couple of things I should
probably modify:
* The MGA ignition coil is bolted to the top of the generator; probably
the worst place one could dream up for a coil. So far, I've lost
3 coils in that car. I believe they moved the coil to the firewall
on the MGB; woudn't be such a bad idea for the `A, either.
* There are only two fuses in the whole car: one for the horn, the other
one for everything else. Well, except for all the stuff that's totally
unprotected. I'm tempted to put in more fuses, fuse _everything_.
- Jerry Kaidor ( jerry@tr2.com )
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