MGA/Magnette Parts Commonality

Since my last article, I had a few jobs lined up for my own car that Ithought would provide good material for this issue. But, for various reasons, I never actually got around to those jobs, so a main topic forth is issue did not materialize. In my panic for a topic as the deadline approached, inspiration came from a recent inquiry from Phil Del Compo of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Phil, a Magnette owner, is periodically faced with the problem of ordering parts from suppliers who specialize in theMGA, and whose catalogs do not recognize that many MGA parts are also applicable to the Magnette. NTG Services in England offer a combinedcatalog for the MGA and Magnette, but the limited number of Magnettes inthe USA probably does not make such an effort worth the while of the suppliers here. By simple comparison, Magnette owners who also have an MGAcan quite easily figure out which MGA parts are suitable for the Magnette.But Magnette owners, like Phil, who are not familiar with the MGA have amore difficult problem.

Phil brought this problem to light by inquiring if I knew if the MGA grillebadge and speedometer cable was suitable for the Magnette. I knew the grille badges were identical, but to be sure I checked my MGA and Magnette parts manuals to verify that their grille badges carried the same part number (AHH 900). For the speedometer cable, the part numbers were different, but the parts manuals very conveniently provided the cable length. The longest cable listed for the Magnette was 56 inches and the shortest for the MGA was 63 inches, and I knew from experience that the endfittings would be the same. Consequently, I could inform Phil that any MGAcable should fit the Magnette, but that he would just have to "lose" a few inches in the routing.

That solved Phil's immediate problem, but some time later he called to say that he had ordered an MGA clutch slave cylinder and it would not fit theMagnette; was there any way of determining which other MGA parts were not suitable for the Magnette? Well, I know of no definitive and complete source, so I decided to take a crack at it myself, based on my knowledge ofboth the MGA and Magnette. Back in MGA! Volume 22, Number 3 (Jan./Feb.1997), in my article on the Z-type Magnette, I discussed some of the differences in general terms. This time I hope to be a bit more specific, although I am writing this "on the fly, " so I apologize in advance for any errors or omissions.

As I wrote in my previous article, the ZA Magnette made its debut in 1954, at the same time as the TF. Most of the MGA running gear (engine, transmission, rear axle, and brakes) came from the ZA, and the MGA 1500 was introduced for the 1956 model year concurrently with the ZB Magnette. Consequently, the ZA and ZB Magnettes have many parts in common with theMGA 1500, and a few in common with the TF. So, in this country, the MGAparts specialists are the best initial source of parts for the Magnette, with a few others, such as Clarke Spares, supplying some parts that areunique to the Magnette. As a starting point for this endeavor, and with apologies to the other suppliers, I decided use the Moss MGA catalog, and go through it page by page. I will not provide interminable listings of catalog part numbers, but will point out the areas of similarity and differences among the parts addressed on each page of the catalog. To livenup what is otherwise quite a dull article, and to provide some interest to non-Magnette owners, I have provided some illustrations from both shopmanuals. These illustrations show the similarities in the braking system parts and differences in the front suspensions parts. For the MGA owner, the following may provide incentive to seek out that Magnette in the local junk yard as a source of parts for the MGA!

Engine

The ZA and ZB Magnettes use the same engine as the MGA 1500. All of the MGA1500 engine parts, including gaskets, are suitable for the Magnette, except for the oil pan, oil pick-up assembly and motor mounts. Early ZA engines did not have a timing chain tensioner, but a tensioner and cover for a later model or an MGA 1500 would be a worth- while modification. The Magnette uses the same oil filter element as the MGA, and the MGA 1500 filter housing is a suitable replacement for that of the Magnette. However, the very early ZA has a by-pass oil filter with no external oil pipe connection, and some engine block modification would be required to use the MGA canister.

All of the MGA 1500 head parts, and the head itself, apply to the Magnette.Some very early ZAs may have smaller valves, but these heads can be machined to accept the MGA 1500 valves. The ZA uses 1-1/4 carburetors and adifferent intake manifold to match, but the ZB 1-1/2 carburetors and intake manifold are the same as the MGA 1500. The Magnette exhaust manifold andexhaust system is totally different to that of the MGA. The MGA water pumpis suitable for the Magnette, and the 6-blade fan of the MGA might be anadvantage. The Magnette radiator is totally different to that of the MGA, but the filler cap and thermostat are the same. The MGA lower hoses aresuitable for the Magnette, but the top hoses are different.

ZB carburetor gaskets and parts, except the needle, are the same as the MGA. The ZA linkages are the same, but a TD gasket set is probably moresuitable for the ZA. Standard needles are "GM" for the ZA and "EQ" for the ZB, both of which are different from those of the MGA. Magnette gas pedal and linkages are not the same as on the MGA. The Magnette has an octagonal knob on the choke cable, and not the round knob of the MGA. The TF choke cable might be a suitable replacement. The MGA fuel pump is suitable for the Magnette, as well as the flexible fuel lines at the carburetors. The MGA carburetor heat shield could be used on the Magnette with some modification to clear around the exhaust manifold.

Clutch & Transmission

The Magnette and MGA 1500 transmissions are identical except for the bell housing (main casing), the front plate and clutch fork, and the shift lever assemblies. All internal parts, and the rear housing with the drive shaft sliding joint are the same. The same two rear seal and bushing types areused in both the Magnette and the MGA 1500. The MGA clutch plate, disc and throw-out bearing are all suitable for the Magnette. The Magnette clutch slave cylinder has a different configuration and location to that of theMGA, but I believe the internal components are the same. The Magnette transmission mount is totally different to that of the MGA.

Suspension

The front suspension and steering for the Magnette are totally different to that of the MGA, and probably the only MGA parts that are suitable for theMagnette are the steering rack boots and the tie rod ends. Any match ofother parts would be coincidental. The rear axles look physically the same, but the Magnette has a slightly wider track than the MGA, so the half axles are slightly longer. The MGA 1500 rear-end ratio is 4.3:1 while the Magnette ratios are 4.875:1 for the ZA and 4.55:1 for the ZB. Apart from the ratios, the differential units are identical and can be interchanged to achieve a more desirable ratio. The Magnette rear springs and bushings are not interchangeable with the MGA. The Magnette drive shaft is longer than that of the MGA, but the universal joints are the same. The steel disc wheels for the Magnette are identical to those of the MGA 1500, but the hubcaps with their medallions are the same as the TD/TF.

                                                   Double click image for full size view

Brakes

The Magnette front and rear drum brakes are identical to those of the MGA1500. This includes all wheel cylinders, shoes, springs, drums and backplates, as well as hubs, seals and bearings. The hand brake cables aredifferent. The Magnette master cylinder is slightly longer than that of the MGA, but the MGA rebuild kit for both the brake and clutch side is suitable for the Magnette. The MGA flexible hoses, brass unions and brake light switch are all suitable for the Magnette.

                                                   Double click image for full size view

Body

Other than a few trim items and ancillaries, the Magnette and MGA bodies have no parts in common. About the only parts that come to mind are the hood latch, and the radiator and trunk emblems. The front and rear parking lights are different, but the MGA head lamp lens units, buckets and seals are suitable for the Magnette. Apart from the lens color, the Varitone Magnette front parking light assembly is similar to the TF rear light, and the Magnette rear light is similar to the MGA 1500 front parking light.

Electrical

Many of the other MGA 1500 electrical parts are suitable for the Magnette, including distributor, coil, starter motor, wiper motor, generator, regulator, fuse block, horns, dimmer switch, turn signal relay and flasherunit, as well as many of the switches on the dash board. The MGA switch knobs are round, but the octagonal knobs of TF should be suitable for the Magnette. None of the MGA instruments (gauges) are suitable for theMagnette, but the speedometer cable is.

That concludes my assessment of the most likely common parts between theMGA 1500 and the Magnette. I am sure that I have missed a few because ithas all been done from memory, but I think I am correct on those I have mentioned