MGB: Brakes

Everyone is saying that having disc brakes are much better. I am going to have mine done as well. What should I tell my MG mechanic what he needs to do and where can he get the parts. Are they difficult to find? And what would be the esimated cost if he did it. Thanks everyone! Barry

There are a couple of ways to go. I chose to go with MGA disc brake hubs(sourced from a kind soul through a request in the trader section), an adapter bracket from Jason Green, and MGB calipers (Brittek). Mine are not installed yet so I don't know how it will work but it should be bolt-on and go. If you search the archives of this forum you will find discussion as well as references to other sites.

Brakes supplier for Magnette's

http://www.mgabrakes.com/

I would certainly take that route rather than the MGB kingpin swap method. (I have done both)
If you use the Jason Green brackets it is a simple bolt-up assembly. Everything fits without and messing around and the brakes work very well. It shouldn't take a professional mechanic more than 3 hours, and that includes repacking your bearings.
The only difficult parts to come up with are the MGA1600 front hubs and they occasionally show up either on the Trader Forum or on E-bay. If you are converting to wire wheels at the same time they are available new.

Cheers,
Rich

Thanks Rich! Jason sent me an email saying we could call him anytime. It's great to know that his brake system works well. Thanks again Rich

I have got the Greens bits, and very nice they are too, but in the land of Aus
it is very hard to locate the MGA bits. Any help greatly appreciated.
I am at the stage of thinking seriously doing the MGB kingpin thing as on the Pommie web site. Oh well time for a beer. Andrew M

I wonder is there some disc out there that will fit the original hubs?.....

Stu, I know there is another way to do this. I have a fellow Magnette guy upstate who has changed his fronts to disk brakes by modifying the existing hubs somehow. He is using Wilwood calipers. His mods to the car include a V6 and auto transmission. I need to go up there and get a bunch of parts he is saving for me. When I do I'll take some pics.

If you have a machinist friend who owes you money almost anything is possible!

If there was a car with same wheel stud pattern, and inner bearing diameter, the hubs should be adaptable??? Peugeot 504???

Actually I have a kit all assembled using the MGA brakes, hub and discs,and calipers for an A. It took me several weeks of playing on the computer to locate everything. Parts come from California, to N.J. to Canadafar Northwest but that's part of the fun. Like a big scavanger hunt.
Best luck ever was finding the Green type brackets someone made many years ago for the MGA calipers, already in position on a parts/salvage Magnette. Once I had those in my possession, the rest was easy. Got the MGA calipers rebuilt and now ready to go. Just got to get through with the car showing / racing season for the time to spend under the car. In use too much right now.
However...My old MGA was a 1958 model, with drums, and I don't remember any problems ever with those brakes in over 130,000 miles of driving, rallying and racing it.

Wombat