MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
Hello all-
I have found a new Moss wiring harness set for sale cheap but it is for a 72 MGB and my car is a 73. Will it work, or will it just be a waste of time to try and install it? I would think it would be mostly the same, but I wanted to ask the experts before I buy it.
Thanks-
John
John check out advance auto wiring's site. I don't have the link but someone will come along with it. It makes reading a diagram very easy and you can compare yours against the one your looking at to see if they're the same. There were some subtle differences from year to year.
Here you go,,,
http://www.advanceautowire.com/mgb.pdf
Mike
Thanks for the link. I'm a little confused because it looks like there are multiple diagrams for 72 and 73 modles with a Bentley reference number down in the right corner. Howw do I know which one to use?
I looked at the Moss site and it looks like the 73 main harness is 356-600 and the one for sale for a 72 is 356-590 and are both the exact same price. The rear harness on the Moss site has the same part number for both 72 and 73.
Hello John:
The harnesses should be close...there were running changes to such things as the plugs for turn signal, wiper switches, ignition switch, perhaps alternator plug.
Without an exact serial # of your 73/early mid/late it is pretty hard to give conclusive advice. The 73 model year saw quite a few running changes to switches, and the type of quick connect plugs used.
If you have the remains of the harness from your 73 to perhaps graft in certain plugs you would likely be OK.
John.
Pretty much what Anthony said, but here are the specifics.
The 1973 car had illuminated switches and heater controls, the 72 did not.
The 73 car also moved to a white plastic Molex type connector on the turnsignal and wiper switches. The 72 would have a grey rubber connector with bullet type terminals.
The 73 was also the first year to have an anti run on system, so the ignition switch is different and there will be under bonnet wiring that won't match up.
All in all, I have a personal preference for the 1973 model year, as the illuminated switches and heater controls are a benefit. It will be quite a bit of work to change out the plugs or switches at the column, so my recomendation would be to get the correct harness for your 73.
my two bits
Kelvin.
Having just changed out a wiring harness and to follow up on what Kelvin says, get the right year. That way all the connectors are correct and easy to identify and install.
Plastic plugs came in 8/73 328101. A little later than I remembered, so the turn signal and wiper switches would be the same.
I'm thinking only the illuminated switches 1973 and anti run on ignition switch (also 1973) are going to be the differences.
K
of course the 72 grey rubber connectors are far more reliable than the chintzy plastic ones which replaced them.B)- The pins on the white plastic ones bend, corrode and back out of their sheaths.