Additional fuse options

[Not_Anumber]

What is the current thinking about additional fuses ? Being a late RB mine is blessed with a 4 way fusebox rather than the 2 way of the earlier cars. Following advice I added some in-line fuseholders, with similar glass fuses, for circuits that otherwise aren't protected. Though this probably follows the right ethos, when i see it now I cant help wondering if it might be neater to replace all this with a larger fusebox.

Is there an approved replacement 8 way fusebox in the same style or do people who are bothered by this just convert to a modern fusebox with blade fuses ?

[Bumpa]

On the 1971 car I rebuilt and sold I went the way of the modern blade fuse box. It fitted in nicely, although I had to bridge some of the terminals to replicate how the original was set up. I hate glass fuses and the old fuse box which seems to give bother with poor connections as they get older. You will also note a row of relays to protect old switch gear.

[Mrbenn]

Hey Bumpa,
The relays in my car are rather messy. What did you use to keep them all neat and in a row there?

[Ian F]

On the 1971 car I rebuilt and sold I went the way of the modern blade fuse box. It fitted in nicely, although I had to bridge some of the terminals to replicate how the original was set up. I hate glass fuses and the old fuse box which seems to give bother with poor connections as they get older. You will also note a row of relays to protect old switch gear.
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Hi Mike, a question for you please:

I was looking at my BGT this morning and specifically at the metal heater pipe which runs along the top of the rocker cover.
By complete coincidence I noticed that in your photo today, your heater pipe is set up in exactly the same way as mine. It seems logical to fit that way due to the downturn at the front end meeting the hose at a suitable angle.
But, the puzzle is, what is the kink in the pipe meant to fit around? It seems logical that it is meant to clear the oil filler, but that would mean fitting the pipe the other way around? And if it is turned around, the pipe would not be such a good fit on the heater hoses at each end?
Have we both got this pipe fitted correctly or the wrong way round?

RSVP

Ian F

[Mrbenn]

Could be that the rocker cover goes the other way round?

[Bumpa]

For Ben, I used this relay box but left the lid off as it was a very tight fit and seemed unnecessary. They also sell a 7 relay box should you need it. https://www.vehiclewiringproducts.co.uk ... -relay-box

Ian, like you I have no idea why there is a kink in that pipe. I am certain that both the rocker box and the pipe are the correct way round. If you use google to look at other MGB underbonnet images, those that have that type of pipe are just like mine and yours.

[Ian F]

Thanks Mike. I consulted a few books including the Original MGB tome, and concluded that we have the correct fitting as you say. Trying all the alternative arrangements of pipe and rocker cover it is clear that no other fitting would work, so the "kink" must remain a mystery.

Ian F

[Charles Farran]

I read somewhere that the kink in the heater pipe is to allow for the different arrangement for the routing cabling / controls of the automatic cars & possibly also used elsewhere in the BMC group, no doubt a cost saving measure / already available off the shelf.
Cheers,Charles

[Oldaker]

I believe the kink in the pipe is to provide clearance for the kickdown cable when automatic transmission is fitted

[Ian F]

Thanks for these answers. Does anyone here have a photograph of the under bonnet area of an automatic MGB?
I have looked at the references I have with no luck.

Ian F