MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

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 MGB Technical - Speedo cables, speedos and questions


I have a 63 B (which has a later (65?) 5BRG engine in) and I'm going to install a Retrotrip 2 tripmeter (for historic rallying). To install one of these you need to add a sensor to the speedo cable. You have to cut a section out of the cable sheath a few inches back from where it connects to the speedo, pull the end of, split the sensor on and then the sheath back on the end. It seems quite straightforwards. If anyone's got any specific experience of this I'd like to know.

As this involves cutting up the speedo cable, I thought I'd get a new one (just in case I mess up).

In my car I have a Smiths speedo, which I don't think is right for a (late) 63 car, I think they had Jeager guages (anyone know?) at that date. Also the speedo only goes upto 100 mph. I've never seen this either as the other B's I've seen have a 120 mph speedo. Maybe my speedo was originally a midget speedo or something, anyone have any opinions on this?

Now my question is, given I'm getting a new speedo cable, is there any impact on speedo calibration here? I expect I need to get the right cable for my engine year, but can I just assume that will work with my existing speedo (assuming it is approx accurate anyway).

This whole speedo thing has bugged me for a while, maybe I should get a 120mph Smiths guage. Or maybe a full set of Jeager ones? (does anyone know of any links to pictures of the Jeager guages as I don't know what they look like).

Cheers,

Jamie
jamieo

Jamie

Before you buy the Retrotrip check the regulations of the rallies which you intend to do.

Although some permit Retrotrips, some do not.

I have a Retrotrip in my MGA, and am delighted with it; but sometimes have to disconnect or remove it.

If you car is a roadster removal is a good idea when parking overnight.

NJSS
Nigel Steward

Jamie,

The Jaeger guages are almost identical to the Smiths ones. All of this is very well dealt with in Anders Clausager's Original MGB book, with picutures and the numbers that you should look for on the guages - e-mail me and I will look these up for you.

A Jaeger rev counter is manually driven from the engine block, and your 5 brg engine will probably (certainly?) not have the right bits fitted for this. I think the best you could do is get the other Jaegar guages (from a good MG autojumble or MG Car Club Silverstone, they are not difficult to find) and use your Smiths rev counter.

I run a 3 brg in my '64 MGB and it is a sweet engine, but these are getting hard to find now, although I have a couple I haven't looked hard for quite a while.

Good luck with your car.

John.
John Prewer

John, the rev counter may be driven from the dynamo, as its an early car with a later engine, who knows. Jamie?
Tatty

This thread was discussed between 26/11/2002 and 29/11/2002

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.