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MG MGA Original MGA tools, all information wanted BBS discussion at MG-Cars.net
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MG MGA - Original MGA tools, all information wanted
| Not long ago I started a web section for original issue MGA tools, but it hasn't gotten very far yet. See here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/tools/tools2.htm The current thread on King Dick and Shelly jacks has set me off again. Anyone and everyone having pictures and information for any original issue MGA tools, please send it my way, as I would like to post all of it on line, and in concours detail if possible. I would rather not repeat information about shop service tools already shown in Section Q of the shop manual, unless you have pictures of real ones. Thanks to all, Barney Gaylord 1958 MGA with an attitude http://MGAguru.com |
| Barney Gaylord |
| Barney, what do you mean by shop service tools...are you refering to dealer tools as used for mga's that were factory supplied. I may be able to get some photos of some of them,I will have to see. Maybe you already have the photos. |
| wc wolcott |
| Hi Barney I would imagine you already have this phot0 http://www.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgoc&a=&mode=gallery_single&id=1105988501_11759 regards Gordon |
| g c pugh |
| WCW, -- As mentioned, shop dealer service tools would be those (generally expensive) speciialty tools shown in Section Q of the shop manual, as used for shop service on the MGA cars, but not part of the traveling tool kits. I may make a line item list of the known tools first, then expand it with details as I can find photos of the real tools. GCP, -- Yes, thanks for teh photo reference. This appears to be a Twin Cam took kit with the steel wheel, knock off hammer, no hub cap tool or cylinder head wrenches. I had pinched that one from the MGOC web site a while back, even made a web page, but didn't have it uploaded. See here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/tools/tf101.htm I was wondering if anyone would complain about my use of the picture. I would graciously ask John Harle if I knew how to contact him. It wasn't an issue until now when I just uploaded it to my server. I have pictures (by gracious permission of British Tool Company) of the tool rolls for the Disc wheel car, Wire wheel car, and Twin Cam car. There are only minor differences in these kits. The Wire Wheel kit is similar to Disk wheel kit but has a knockoff hammer and no hub cap tool. Twin Cam kit also deletes the two ctlinder head wrenches. I believe the kit for pushrod engine cars with the Competition Suspension option (commonly refered to as the "Deluxe" model) would be same as the Wire Wheel kit. I intend to list the individual components of each kit. Then I would like to expand it to include intimate details of each single tool, including variations of the palm gun oiler, screw jacks, and any other minor variations in detail throughout MGA production. If my ambition holds up long enough this may ultimately evolve to be a concours description for the traveling tools. I am not a concours enthusiast myself, but the MGA "hobby" seems to be moving more in this direction, so I will be happy to post the details as available. |
| Barney Gaylord |
| Hi Barney You can use the picture from the mga tool kit with MY permission. I made the picture in 1997 at the silverstone event with an analog camera (at that time the digital's where very expencive) and did an scan. I put the picture on my site http://users.pandora.be/mga_world/special_mga.htm I think it's an shame that some people put a lot of time and work to put an site online, and that other people take an part of his work without to mention the source.An time ago i saw an site where they had copied my complete layout ??? If you want i can send you the original scan of the picture, and maybe you can get an reference to my site or name. serge |
| serge |
| Hey, thanks Serge. That clears up a niggly little issue. Now maybe I'll use the full size image that looks better, and I'll know who to give credit. The image on your web site is a very nice size for web use, no larger one required. I might eventually ask you for some close up pictures of individual tools, but not ready for that just yet. It will take me a few days at least to organize that web section and figure out how many new web pages it needs for a good start. |
| Barney Gaylord |
| Hi Barney, I have just noticed a couple of MGA tools on ebay which might be what you are looking for - ebay uk number 280092112174 - cheers Cam |
| Cam Cunningham |
| Right on, Cam. Good spotting. See new ewb page here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/tools/18g304.htm Ebay is one of my favorite hunting grounds for spotting such things, and I don't mind pinching the pictures, as long as they are not proprietory items. Keep 'em coming. |
| Barney Gaylord |
| Barney - did you see the other tool for sale by same seller as the front hub puller ? - ebay uk item 280092112148 - cheers Cam |
| Cam Cunningham |
| Good spotting. New page here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/tools/18g152.htm Couple per day and we'd have them all in a month. |
| Barney Gaylord |
| Barney, I have a pristine, original Dunlop brake bleeding tin--with the fish weight an rubber tube inside--certainly factory and specific to the Twin Cam. I'll shoot you a photo soon. (a common type concours part but most, if not all others are Lockheed.) Paul |
| Paul Hanley |
| The hub puller is missing all the rods. I have one of these tools I can take photos of although just like the one on eBay, I'm missing the handle. |
| Steve Simmons |
| Barney Gordon and I were exchanging emails on the subject of the correct tool spec over the weekend as I am trying to put together a kit for my 1600 Mk1 - so I am looking forward to the results. For Service Tools publication AKD770 may be of some assistance and a copy can be found at www.metropolitan-library.com/AKD770.html. Peter |
| P B Chappell |
| Has anybody got a copy of AKD770 the BMC Service Tool Catalogue? Peter has given a link to a website, but not all the pages are on the site. Also the files are image files and not as clear as a modern PDF scan would be. Mick |
| Mick Anderson |
| Hi I have the tools as listed in the original workshop manual if that is of any use gordon |
| g c pugh |
| I have an 80 LE so usually look at the MGB threads, but I've always had a soft spot for MGAs since my first brit car was an MGA back in 1968 through about 1973. It gave me a lot of great memeories and several trophies in SCCA E Class competition. In the bottom of my tool box, I still have the King Dick open and closed end wrenchs (complete per the picture), the long, socket style with the handle (complete per the picture), the "feeler" gauge, the spanner (a little bent from using a "cheater") and the jack (less the extension handle). Since I will probably never own another MGA due to the prices of even the junkers, perhaps I should help some of the MGA crowd and offer to "horse trade" for some MGB parts or whatever. There's no sense in something that original cluttering the bottom of my tool box and reamining unused when others may need it to complete the authenticity of their MGA. I keep a complete travel set of modern tools in my MGB, so the MGA set is unused. |
| Rick Penland |
| Now that I'm finished wiping the drool off my keyboard, I would be interested in your asking price. :) |
| Steve Simmons |
| Hi Barney, I have emailed a photo of the mga twin cam service tool 18G551. These are the camshaft timing keys. I bought these in 1964 from V. L. Churchill & Co. in Daventry UK. Churchill were the suppliers to BMC of most of the original workshop service tools. Mick |
| Mick Anderson |
| OK Rick, What do you need for your MGB, I'm in the bidding with Steve!(no shame!) Neil |
| Neil McGurk |
| Barney, I think it is possible that I have an origional King Dick jack handle or part of one. I do not have the jack and this metal piece has been lying in my tool roll but never used because I never knew what it was. The best I can describe it is... about 2 feet long...black round metal rod of about 3/8 diameter...with a small bend at one end,almost shaped like an S. It may be nothing or it may be part of a jack handle. Anybody got any ideas? |
| Gordon Harrison |
| Steve and Neil, I'm by no means doing this for profit nor intending to break any rules of the site. I have no idea what the value of the tools is and intend to use it for parts for my MGB. I hadn't even thought of the tools having any value until I read this thread and thought they would be of far more use to an MGA owner than just sitting among my enormous tool collection. My MGB is complete and in tip-top condition, but I'm always adding something or another. It seems it spends too much time on jack stands or with the hood up in my shop. I think I'm a tinkerer more than a driver. I just ordered and received a roll bar on E-bay, for example. My "wish" list is mostly performance parts, but I have a lot of those already. As far as MGB spare parts go, I have a complete spare engine from an earlier B. Perhaps cash is the easiest method, but if you have something really interesting, let me know. Since both of you have e-mail addresses and are members, I'll gather the tools up, take a digital photo and forward it to you, with your permission, of course. |
| Rick Penland |
| Rick: I too, have no shame. I'd really appreciate seeing the items you have since I'm still missing a few "correct" tools in my kit. If you're willing please send pix at your convenience and I'll contact you off-the-board. Thanks! Gary Barney: I've got a (very interesting) shop tool that may be of use to your site. I'll send photos for your review. |
| Gary Hattwick |
| Rick: I just came across this thread and am very interested in your tool kit also. However, in fairness to yourself and all of us who lust after an original pristine MGA toolkit, you really should list it on eBay. Absurd though it may be for something that originally probably cost $15 and is virtually useless for real repairs, complete MGA toolkits are routinely auctioning for $200 - $300 dollars, depending on condition and completeness. You certainly should be able to horse-trade for another MGB engine or transmission, but nothing takes the place of cash. Please post what you eventually decide to do. Steve |
| Steve Brandt |
| My tool kit is, hopefully, authentic. I don't have either of the screwdrivers, the pliers or the bag it came in. As far as condition, there is no rust since all has been floating around in the bottom of a greasy toolbox for many years. The 9/16 open end may have been "spread" a bit in my youthful endeavors to fix cars without proper tools. The spanner (as noted above) has also been bent. I only have the short round bar for the "sockets", not the long one and that heavy, thick bar is somewhere (hope I can find it). One of the "sockets" (spark plug most likely) doesn't say "King Dick" on it anywhere, but is of similar thickness and metal type. All other tools are clearly marked "King Dick". Lastly, the jack (no extension handle) may or may not be authentic. All I can attest to is that it was in a '58 MGA when I purchased it about 10 years later. Across the top of the rotating gear, it has "S-33". I'm amazed that tools are worth that. However, the people here are the greatest and I would rather give them a stab at it rather than venture an e-bay bid and let it fall into the hands of someone that doesn't appreciate the brit cars like all of us do. Thus, it might be most fair to put it in your classifieds under "best offer", let it stay there about a week and attach some pics. Does that sound fair to you fellows? |
| Rick Penland |
| Rick I agree with Steve, In the interest of transparency and fair play, stick the tools in the classified section as you suggest. From your desciption what you have could easily fetch the kind of cash Steve mentions. I look forward to making an offer (in the right fora). Neil |
| Neil McGurk |
| Hi all anyone know if the pliers supplied with a 1959 1500 would have been shelley or king dick many thanks gordon |
| g c pugh |
| anyone ? |
| g c pugh |
| At least as far as the US is concerned, the jack is a King Dick bow tie style. I have the original with handles that originally came with my 1959. The schematic of Moss 386-900 in their web catalogue is the correct reproduction style for this car. Steve |
| Steve Brandt |
| g c pugh, -- I have been making some progress on posting details of original tool kits. I have details of an original kit from a 31Dec59 production MGA containing KING DICK pliers. See here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/tools/tf102.htm http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/tools/tf113.htm |
| Barney Gaylord |
| Hi Barney many thanks for that , the pliers I have are King Dick but with Abingdon on them regards Gordon |
| g c pugh |
| I had a picture of King Dick pliers with "Abinbgdon" etched on the side of the handle. It was a bad fuzzy picture, and I deleted it some time ago. I wold appreciate a good picture. I don't know yet if this was common or rare. |
| Barney Gaylord |
| Hi Barney I will try and dig out my "box brownie" and get and get a photo for you gordon |
| g c pugh |
| things are getting bad I'm stammering while typing now |
| g c pugh |
| Barmey, I have a question that you might help me with. I have the open ended or socket sytle spanners from an original MGA and am confused. The larget one when measured against a US open ended wrench measures 15/16 on one end and 7/8 on the other, but is stamped 1/2 and 7/16. However it says 1/2 "W" instead of "A/F" like some of the others that appear correctly meaasured. What does the "W" suffix and the "A/F" suffix on the measurement represent? I thought someone at King Dick had one too many Guinesses that day, but there may be method to their madness? |
| Rick Penland |
| Rick, "Google" Whitworth spanner sizes! and go get some learning! LOL Neil |
| Neil Mcgurk |
| Rick, I would like a picture of your tools. Thanks. Larry |
| Larry Brown |
| Hi all can anyone confirm that Thor were the makers of the original copper hammers for the MGA many thanks Gordon |
| g c pugh |
| Rick, -- Whitworth wrenches have size markings based on the screw thread size rather than on the head size. Furthermore, the head size for the "newer" fine thread screws is smaller than for Whitworth screws. As such, some pre-war Whitworth wrenches may be stamped with the "W" size only. Post-war Whitworth wrenches may be double stamped with both "W" and "BSF" (or "BS") for British Standard Fine. See larger tube wrench here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/tools/tf112.htm |
| Barney Gaylord |
This thread was discussed between 08/03/2007 and 22/03/2007
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