Anybody look at MGB brake calipers as an option?
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- Model: 1500/1600
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Anybody look at MGB brake calipers as an option?
First time poster here. Love the information here. I recently got a 1968 that needs the brakes redone (calipers badly pitted and would need sleeved) Been reading about the popular Volvo swap but not decided. I walked by by sons MGB project the other day and picked up one of his calipers. It is a pretty close match. I mocked one up tonight and with some minor mods to the caliper bracket I think it will bolt on. Here is my take:
The good:
The same 2 1/8” piston size as original.
Readily available at about 70 for a NEW unit.
Looks like 14” wheels will clear
Hose should be easy to adapt
Rotor should not need to be turned to a smaller diameter like the Volvo swap requires.
The bad:
The rotor on the Datsun is thicker than the MGB when new. My rotors are about .400 and they clear just fine. New Datsun rotors may be too thick.
Before I dive into this I thought I would see if anyone has looked at this as an option or sees any reason it may not work? I can get some pictures later if there is interest.
Thanks
Darren
The good:
The same 2 1/8” piston size as original.
Readily available at about 70 for a NEW unit.
Looks like 14” wheels will clear
Hose should be easy to adapt
Rotor should not need to be turned to a smaller diameter like the Volvo swap requires.
The bad:
The rotor on the Datsun is thicker than the MGB when new. My rotors are about .400 and they clear just fine. New Datsun rotors may be too thick.
Before I dive into this I thought I would see if anyone has looked at this as an option or sees any reason it may not work? I can get some pictures later if there is interest.
Thanks
Darren
- ppeters914
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Re: Anybody look at MGB brake calipers as an option?
Hope you noticed in your reading that your rotors need to be replaced. From the TechWiki:
New: 0.433
Minimum: 0.409
Cheers,
Pete
-------------------------------------
'67 1600 - frame off started in 2014. Now I know why roadster projects take so long. What a stupid idea.
'66 1600 - parts car
'66 WPL411 ***SOLD***
A couple of Porsches, a RAV4 Hybrid, and a motorcycle
-------------------------------------
'67 1600 - frame off started in 2014. Now I know why roadster projects take so long. What a stupid idea.
'66 1600 - parts car
'66 WPL411 ***SOLD***
A couple of Porsches, a RAV4 Hybrid, and a motorcycle
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Re: Anybody look at MGB brake calipers as an option?
As I recall the mg rotors are a smaller diameter, so you might need to turn the OD to get the pads fully placed on the rotor, and the mounting for the calipers is a smaller dimension and/or bolts, but just going from distant memory, so you could certainly check.
We looked at these decades ago and ended up using 240z front calipers instead.(also requires a new bracket or modification).
We looked at these decades ago and ended up using 240z front calipers instead.(also requires a new bracket or modification).
LT/JT
https://www.datsunrestorationproducts.com/
Only the very BEST parts for your Datsun- 10000's of items in stock
New, Used and Reproduction!
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Only the very BEST parts for your Datsun- 10000's of items in stock
New, Used and Reproduction!
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Re: Anybody look at MGB brake calipers as an option?
I have seen conflicting numbers on minimum rotor thickness. I read somewhere it was .375?
- ppeters914
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Re: Anybody look at MGB brake calipers as an option?
Hmmm....good point. I just checked a used set of stock rotors, but couldn't find anything stamped on them. A new set of DBA rotors has MIN TH 9.4MM stamped on the edge, which equals 0.370
I'm surprised nothing is mentioned in Sheeler's book.
Oh, well....I went to Wilwood calipers and vented rotors.
Pete
-------------------------------------
'67 1600 - frame off started in 2014. Now I know why roadster projects take so long. What a stupid idea.
'66 1600 - parts car
'66 WPL411 ***SOLD***
A couple of Porsches, a RAV4 Hybrid, and a motorcycle
-------------------------------------
'67 1600 - frame off started in 2014. Now I know why roadster projects take so long. What a stupid idea.
'66 1600 - parts car
'66 WPL411 ***SOLD***
A couple of Porsches, a RAV4 Hybrid, and a motorcycle
-
- Forum Newb
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Wed Jun 07, 2023 1:09 pm
- Location: Oregon
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: High Windshield-68-70
Re: Anybody look at MGB brake calipers as an option?
After some better mock up the Mgb calipers would require either different brackets or at least trimming of the rotor OD. It would be better to machine a new mounting bracket as I’m not comfortable with modifying the existing brackets. The new holes would be very close to the edge of the existing brackets to work properly. Probably just going the Volvo route.
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Re: Anybody look at MGB brake calipers as an option?
That sounds familiar.
LT/JT
https://www.datsunrestorationproducts.com/
Only the very BEST parts for your Datsun- 10000's of items in stock
New, Used and Reproduction!
https://www.datsunrestorationproducts.com/
Only the very BEST parts for your Datsun- 10000's of items in stock
New, Used and Reproduction!
- datsun1500
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Re: Anybody look at MGB brake calipers as an option?
Wouldn’t sleeving be easier and cheaper than Volvo swap? There’s a few places that do itHydro1 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 7:44 pm After some better mock up the Mgb calipers would require either different brackets or at least trimming of the rotor OD. It would be better to machine a new mounting bracket as I’m not comfortable with modifying the existing brackets. The new holes would be very close to the edge of the existing brackets to work properly. Probably just going the Volvo route.
I remember when no one wanted the 1500s......
- spl310
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Re: Anybody look at MGB brake calipers as an option?
Why not buy the aftermarket set that Moss sells: https://mossmotors.com/8777-3-front-bra ... TAl1Tbl2-c
"Wow, a Roadster!" Stuart Little
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1967.5 2000
1967.5 2000
1964 1500
1964 1500
1967.5 1600
1968 chassis
2006 Acura MDX
2013 Volkswagen Jetta TDI wagon
1995 F350 Powerstroke!
More...
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- Forum Newb
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Re: Anybody look at MGB brake calipers as an option?
Well dang it!! If I had seen the moss kit I would have went that route! That makes it affordable... I may send back some of the parts I ordered for the volvo swap. I had figured 600-800 to get mine sleeved/rebuilt and new lines. The volvo was going to be less than 500.....But the Moss kit changes all of that.
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Re: Anybody look at MGB brake calipers as an option?
We just did another set of calipers with the moss cylinders. The fit was decent. The “Cobalt” brand use different pads than standard roadster, but they also fit the roadster caliper ok. Other brands of Jag cylinders use the oem roadster style pads so it is something to be aware of.
Regardless, here are stainless brake lines that fit (the Nissan lines don’t match the jag cylinders and jag lines don't clear the calipers):
https://www.datsunrestorationproducts.c ... ine-set-ss (all 4 lines)
We definitely prefer this kit over the Volvo stuff.
Regardless, here are stainless brake lines that fit (the Nissan lines don’t match the jag cylinders and jag lines don't clear the calipers):
https://www.datsunrestorationproducts.c ... ine-set-ss (all 4 lines)
We definitely prefer this kit over the Volvo stuff.
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LT/JT
https://www.datsunrestorationproducts.com/
Only the very BEST parts for your Datsun- 10000's of items in stock
New, Used and Reproduction!
https://www.datsunrestorationproducts.com/
Only the very BEST parts for your Datsun- 10000's of items in stock
New, Used and Reproduction!