Talk:MG MGA

Twin cam engine problem
The current article states Ironically, the source of the problem was only discovered after production had ended and many restored Twincam cars are running more reliably today than they ever did during production. I assume the problem meant here is piston failure, and the source fuel starvation at certain engine speeds.

See http://www.mgcars.org.uk/MGA/mgatwine.html which states in part: ''Experience with racing the Twin Cams over the years has led to the possible cause of the piston problems. After all it was not the timing or plugs, but simply fuel starvation at certain rpm, giving a very hot, weak mixture. The cause was fuel frothing that leaned out the mixture, and then burnt out the pistons, the fault the engine became notorious for.''

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1658545_1657867_1657786,00.html seems to confirm this story.

There were several other common problems with this engine, but I think the others were all eventually blamed on inadequate driving and/or maintenance. Regular tuning was critical, as was timing chain adjustment, and the tacho red and orange lines were both for real. This was a highly developed racing engine, and if you treated it like a normal road car, it soon broke. And of course if you treated it like a dodgem car it broke even sooner. A significant number of buyers evidently lacked the skills required, or perhaps lacked even the will.

But as the article currently reads, it's rather tantalising. I think we should add a short description of the problems (all of them), their causes, and the solution for this one. Are these websites considered reliable enough sources? Andrewa (talk) 15:36, 16 December 2008 (UTC)

Twin-Cam Production
The article states that 101,081 MGA were built between 1955 and 1962. It also states that only 2,111 Twin-Cams were built between 1958 and 1960. So, it's quite obviously that the TC sold poorly. What more source is needed? --Chief tin cloud (talk) 07:29, 12 June 2011 (UTC)

101,081

1960 MGA 1600 Brakes
The early production from May 1959 had front drum brakes, which were used up parts from the 1500 production. I have a original car #474 which has the original drum brake setup on all 4 wheels. It is accurate to state that by 1960 the cars had front disc brakes, as the early production 1600's were transitional models/ a mishmash. The question is though...at which car # was the 1600, a full spec 1600?75.222.113.67 (talk) 06:05, 1 September 2011 (UTC)