I've been dealing with this on my TD rebuild. My father is doing the
internals, since he has clockmaking experience and the early TD
instruments were built more like clocks than anything else. He can
fabricate just about anything he would need to fix gears, etc.
I spoke to Mo-Ma in New Mexico (Margaret, the proprietor) and she was not
the nicest person I've ever spoken to on the phone. When I asked if she
sold parts, she quickly said no way. When I told her all I needed was
some dial faces and needles, she lightened up and said she would sell
those, but all she had were decals for the faces.
I haven't tried Nisonger in NY, yet, but I think the story will be the
same. Someone on the list said that since there are no new parts being
made, restorers won't sell them 'cause they need them for their own work.
This seems to make sense from the conversations I have had with a number
of people.
However, I have heard nothing but praise for Vintage Restorations in
England (who also will not sell components). Perhaps if you have them
rebuild your speedo, it will be the last time. Check out their web site
under advertisers on the MG Enthusiasts web page.
Other than that, you are best off finding your parts the same place the
restorers do-- in used units.
BTW, my trip odometer hasn't worked for ten years, either.
David Littlefield
Houston, TX
On Mon, 18 Aug 1997 17:48:09 EDT barneymg@juno.com (Barney Gaylord)
writes:
>
>Does anyone know of a source for speedometer parts? My main odometer
>crapped out again. Haven't opened it up yet, but I suspect it's
>missing a few teeth on the ratchet gear, again. It's not that
>difficult a fix if I can find the parts, and I'd like to fix it
>myself.
>
>My speedometer has beed "tinkered with" three times now by one or the
>other of those professional rebuild places. Each time I get a big
>bill, and the unit never lasts more than 40K miles before it goes
>south again. And I'd prefer not to continue incurring those bills
>every couple of years forever. It's also somewhat inconvenient to
>part with the unit for the time it takes for shipping, fixing and
>returning.
>
>While we're at it, does anyone have an extra MGA speedometer they
>would like to part with? It doesn't have to be a working unit, just
>more or less complete.
>
>Barney Gaylord
>1958 MGA 1500
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