Updating the Front Brakes on the MGA 1500
From Grass Roots Motorsports
December 2000
[Editor's note: I have been asked several times just what is involved in converting the MGA 1500 to disc brakes. If you are lucky enough to find the brakes from a 1600, as I was, this is a pretty simple conversion. I had heard several different solutions to the problem, but this one is pretty simple answer to the question.]
Carl Heideman, British car restorer, MGA expert and GRM contributor offers the following advice regarding your proposed project:
"The MGB front disc brake swap is an excellent choice," he explains. "You'll need the kingpins, calipers, pads, rotors, hoses and dust shields from the MGB. Since the MGA shocks have a wider yoke than the MGB shocks you will need to make spacers to fit the MGB kingpins."
"Do not use MGB shocksăthe four mounting holes are not a perfect square as they appear-some people will egg out the holes on the MGB shocks to make them fit the MGA. This is dangerous! You'll also probably need to cut about 1/2 an inch off the threaded ends of each tie rod to make your alignment (toe) correct."
Mr. Heideman does not believe in normal driving changing the rear brakes is necessary.
Fond Farewell
We at Flatwater would like to wish Ken and Caroline Kennedy farewell and best wishes on their move to sunny California. No one can blame them for heading toward family, great weather and beautiful Healey roads. They, and their outstanding green 3000 will missed.
LIFE WITH A V8
John W. Ulrich
As many of you know, my 1969 MGB-GT is now up and running . To review the basics; I have a Rover 4.0, Borg Warner T-5, and Ford 8" rear drive train. The A/C and heat seems to work fine, and the interior is beautiful, and almost complete with a full length rear deck in place of the fold down jump seat. All the rest of the big pieces seem to work well , but I still don't have the steering right yet. Bump steer and power on /power off stability is enough to make you aim the thing carefully before you do anything rash. The 205/60/15 Dunlops fit with room to spare, and traction is great. I have to really jump on it to break loose in first, and have never even chirped the tires in second. Part of that is probably due to the 3.0 rear end, but I think the weight distribution may be 50/50, or even a smidgen heavy on the rear.
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