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Stop lamp switch

Posted by Whitworth Ranch

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Stop lamp switch #1
Whitworth Ranch Mark H. California, South, USA 1958 Ford Thames Estate Van 1958 MG Magnette ZB Varitone 1964 Jaguar E-Type 1966 Jaguar Mark 2	Posted: March 04, 2012 05:26PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 469

I have tried unsuccessfully to research the cross-reference for the ZB hydraulic brake switch. Does anyone know of MGA or TF works? I have my doubts on MGA only because the brake hoses have different threads. Any help is appreciated. I have no brake lights. Power to the switch, but not from.
Thanks,
Mark

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Re: Stop lamp switch #2
Whitworth Ranch Mark H. California, South, USA 1958 Ford Thames Estate Van 1958 MG Magnette ZB Varitone 1964 Jaguar E-Type 1966 Jaguar Mark 2	Posted: March 04, 2012 05:28PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 469

And, while we're at it. I am fairly certain the brake drums from MGA cross over, but a confirmation would be great.
Thanks, again!
Mark

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Re: Stop lamp switch #3
SteveZBMagnette Steven Hanegan Lake Forest Park, WA, USA 1958 MG Magnette "Zeebee" 1962 MG MGA MkII "Arthur" 1969 MG MGB GT "The Black Russian"	Posted: March 04, 2012 10:58PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 114

Mark, I will check on the switch, but I do know that the 1500 MGA drums fit all four corners of the Magnette, as do the shoes and cylinders.

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Re: Stop lamp switch #4
Whitworth Ranch Mark H. California, South, USA 1958 Ford Thames Estate Van 1958 MG Magnette ZB Varitone 1964 Jaguar E-Type 1966 Jaguar Mark 2	Posted: March 04, 2012 11:22PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 469

Steve,
Thanks for that. The rear drums are too big on my car. Adjustment is all the way out but the shoes are only worn maybe 50 percent. Appreciate the confirmation.

I did find that the TF and MGA brake-switch part numbers from Moss are the same. It wouldn't be out of the question for the ZB to be different, but it seems likely that the part is the same. It would be a $9 bet, as that's how much it costs.
Mark

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Re: Stop lamp switch #5
Gofanu Fletcher Millmore Titusville PA, USA	Posted: March 05, 2012 01:17AM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 618

Depends how many times a year or month you replace it. The new switches are a known extreme crap item. There is an expensive one from Ron Francis, said to be much better, possibly even good. Lots on the UK MGA board.
I'd be inclined to fit a me4chanical one working off the pedal.

FRM

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Re: Stop lamp switch #6
Whitworth Ranch Mark H. California, South, USA 1958 Ford Thames Estate Van 1958 MG Magnette ZB Varitone 1964 Jaguar E-Type 1966 Jaguar Mark 2	Posted: March 05, 2012 05:38PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 469

Thanks, Fletcher.

I ordered the $9 switch with the rear brake drums and shoes, so I could keep the car on the road (it's my wife's daily driver when she's not on a motorbike). I'll look up Ron Francis. Now that I know what it is, it's basically the same switch as on Mark 2s and E-types. I have used switches from Standard that have held up OK.

But I agree with having the switch on the pedal. It lights the lights sooner, which should be safer and more reliable.
Mark

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Re: Stop lamp switch #7
55-mgm Darryl Purvis Brisbane, Australia	Posted: March 05, 2012 05:49PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 3

Totaly agree with FRM as I made a bracket and fitted a mechanical switch when hydraulic unit failed to disengage my cruise control.
Darryl.

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Re: Stop lamp switch #8
Gofanu Fletcher Millmore Titusville PA, USA	Posted: March 05, 2012 06:22PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 618

Yep. Somebody said it took 80psi to light the lights on a switch he measured. That's enough to put the brakes on. I frequently tap the brakes to warn following people of some hazard, like a turn I'm likely to take far faster than they, even though I do not want brakes at the time.
Or sometimes to get the attention pof somebody closing too fast - wakes 'em up!

FRM

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Re: Stop lamp switch #9
B-racer Jeff Schlemmer Minnesota, USA 1958 MG magnette 1971 MG MGB "POS" 1973 MG Midget MkII 2006 Dodge Charger "Daytona" 2008 Ford Super Duty	Posted: March 06, 2012 07:53AM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 12,533

I used the Ron Francis switch for 2 1/2 years before it failed. Now I'm using one from Jegs.com that was a lot cheaper, but looks just as good. When that one fails I'll go to a mechanical switch from the MGB.

jeff@advanceddistributors.com

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Re: Stop lamp switch #10
Whitworth Ranch Mark H. California, South, USA 1958 Ford Thames Estate Van 1958 MG Magnette ZB Varitone 1964 Jaguar E-Type 1966 Jaguar Mark 2	Posted: March 06, 2012 11:40AM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 469

The Jegs body looks identical to the Ron Harris, and is less than half the price. I think I will start working on the pin-switch alternative, though. Been meaning to do it on the Mark 2 since that one is on its second brake switch in a year. Thanks for the help.

Finally getting drums on the rear.

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Re: Stop lamp switch #11
Whitworth Ranch Mark H. California, South, USA 1958 Ford Thames Estate Van 1958 MG Magnette ZB Varitone 1964 Jaguar E-Type 1966 Jaguar Mark 2	Posted: March 07, 2012 12:33PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 469

I replaced the brake switch this morning. The one in place was genuine Lucas with brass screw terminals. Sorry to see it go...

The switch from Moss was Intermotor. Pretty sure that's what croaked on the Mark 2 (blade terminals) after less than a year. The Jegs tip is good, as the photo shows the switch body to be identical and it is half the price of Ron Harris. But the longer term and probably safer solution is a pin switch at the pedal. My friend Ray suggested LED brake lights, too, based on rapidity of response. They don't have to warm up like filaments.

The Moss order was shipped rapidly and accurately. I'd not ordered from them for some time aside from a manifold gasket recently. The "Classic Gold" thing, is that their house brand? I must admit to taking pause at the Indian oil filters. I have not inspected the Chinese drums or brake shoes closely. I think parts reproduction is a tough business and I applaud the availability and efficiency offered by an operation like Moss, but I sure wish more competitive suppliers were available closer to home.

If the MG weren't a daily driver, I'd probably reline the shoes and sleeve the drums. Maybe I still will as spares for the future.

Anyway, glad to have brakes lights again. We can shop for groceries safely now!
Thanks for all the help.

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Re: Stop lamp switch #12
ddubois Dave DuBois Bremerton, WA, USA	Posted: May 05, 2012 05:23PM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 4,368

Make and install a brake light relay/arc suppression circuit to install with which ever switch you use and the switch will last forever. See the article, Brake Light Relay in the Other Tech Articles section of my web site at: http://homepages.donobi.net/sufuelpumps/
Cheers,

Dave DuBois
1953 MGTD
1966 MGB
http://homepages.donobi.net/sufuelpumps/

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