Tech Tips

We are frequently asked technical questions covering all varieties of MG. With the help of our Registers, members, and past Safety Fast! magazines, here is a selection of the more commonly asked questions and solutions.

Tech Tip from: Phil Hamm Difficulty in introducing brake pipe nipples back into threaded wheel cylinders

The end of the nipples and tubing swell up, making it difficult to reintroduce them back into the wheel cylinder causing cross threading. This can be made easier with the use of a standard pair of 8” pliers. Most quality pliers have below the nose a semi-spherical toothed gap. If this section is gripped on to the swollen end of the nipple and the nipple is turned with a spanner, it will shave off a small amount of material to enable the nipple to insert easily into the wheel cylinder. Then by twisting the pliers around the end of the ridged Bundy pipe will also be effective in inserting the pipes into the cylinders starting the thread a lot easier.

Tech Tip from: Mike Authers Fuel hose upgrade

My tech tip is to check and change any braided fuel hoses for plain rubber. I’ve had many instances of perished hoses hidden by the metal braiding leaking fuel. As the fuel is under pressure from the pump and the vicinity of the hot exhaust manifold it’s a recipe for disaster.

I change all fuel hoses as a matter of course on my sales Midgets and have stopped using the braided hoses due to so many leaking.

Here is a photo of a customer’s car that lost a full tank of fuel as he drove the car while it pumped six gallons out into the engine bay!

Tech Tip from: Bob Zannetti Brake Clip suggestion

At the risk of sounding too much like Practical Boat Owner, I came up with a practical and inexpensive brake line clip for our cars. Investigating the subject ‘on-line’ I found a paucity of clips that, when found, were generally pretty costly. Obviously it is possible to just tie wrap the pipe to, say, the axle, but metal-onmetal possibly rubbing together was the cause of some concern. My solution is super low cost, solves that problem and looks, well, reasonable. The first picture shows the components, a tie wrap and 10-15mm of small fuel line. The second shows the components assembled and in use.

Note: The above solutions should only be carried out by a home mechanic who has the necessary tools and experience to be able to do the work safely. If you are unsure of your ability then you should entrust the work to an MG specialist