A momentous occasion...

[Mark Tucker]

For the first time in my ownership (and probably many years before that), the MG is 100% electrically functional.

Up yours, Lucas.

[ClassicDatsunDebate]

@mark-tucker
….for now…

[Mark Tucker]

@classicdatsundebate Yeah, yeah. Rain on my parade all you want; my windshield wipers work.

[SilentbutnotreallyDeadly]

@mark-tucker
Congratulations. However, I have found that it is unwise to taunt the Prince of Darkness...

[Mark Tucker]

@silentbutnotreallydeadly That's exactly why there is very little Lucas left in it, and what is left is connected to a GM-style wiring harness, and soon to be supplied by a Delco alternator (as soon as I can have someone fab me up a bracket). 67 amps instead of 35, and easily replaceable at any Autozone...

Honestly, most of the problems with the electrics in these cars is down to those dumb little bullet connectors; get a little corrosion in those, and you've got a bad connection, or a bad ground. Most of the actual Lucas components are pretty good; it's just the harness between them that's a problem.

[Chariotoflove]

@mark-tucker
Nice job managing the fastest way to jinx it.

[Highlander]

@mark-tucker radio too?

[Mark Tucker]

@highlander Yep. Speakers are just lying on the back seat, but sound comes out of them.

[Highlander]

@mark-tucker hot damn! My radio has a working back light but I can’t get it to make any sound. It’s AM only tho.

[JeRC1500]

@mark-tucker Is that when you turn on the left turn indicator or the right turn indicator?

I joke, my 911 has a gremlin where the drivers side door micro switch thinks it is open when closed and vice-versa. Making me crazy this week.

[Shop-Teacher]

@mark-tucker Give it a minute

[aremmes]

@mark-tucker How many have you killed to enact such sorcery?

🤪

[bison78]

I have never had issues with Lucas electrics in my MGs, but as a former Lucas employee, perhaps I live a charmed life when it comes to Lucas electrics.

The generator in my MGA works fine and I did swap out the alternator in my kids' MGB, but all brands of alternator fail.

I attribute the reported issues with electrical systems in British cars to a the ministrations of clueless mechanics.

[ClassicDatsunDebate]

@bison78
It’s actually faulty bullet connectors that would corrode and fail.

[bison78]

@classicdatsundebate said in A momentous occasion...:

@bison78
It’s actually faulty bullet connectors that would corrode and fail.

Could be. I have only lived in parts of the USA where corrosion isn't a significant issue: Texas and California.

But, there are definitely issues with maintenance: for example, replacement of the condenser/capacitor on the distributor.

[Tripper]

@highlander said in A momentous occasion...:

@mark-tucker hot damn! My radio has a working back light but I can’t get it to make any sound. It’s AM only tho.

You guys and your fancy radios

[Highlander]

@tripper I usually use a Bluetooth speaker.

[Tripper]

@highlander my intake and exhaust are Italian so also music.

[Highlander]

@tripper with the wind noise my car has its kind of almost cause.

[functionoverfashion]

@tripper said in A momentous occasion...:

@highlander said in A momentous occasion...:

@mark-tucker hot damn! My radio has a working back light but I can’t get it to make any sound. It’s AM only tho.

You guys and your fancy radios

Not in the '61 Ford. Although for its cro-magnon electrical system it's not all working at the moment. Backup lights haven't worked since about May. In fairness, they were added by someone, it didn't have backup lights from the factory.