Tech Talk

TECH TALK - Page 1

Page 1 - MGB & MGC BATTERIES

Addendum: For those members that have read my article on converting the MGB & C to a single 12 Volt battery here is an important update. Century now have available a European style type DIN44L 12 Volt battery with 370 CCA [cold cranking amps] which will fit into the right hand battery box [fuel pump side] if both the mounting lugs are cut down i.e.at each end, refer to the article in 'Tech Talk', for installation. This battery has 100 more cranking amps than the old type twin 6 Volt batteries and will be perfect for all MG's 4,6 and 8 cylinders.

For more than 35 years I have stuck to 2 Six Volt batteries without thinking about it until our “C” would not start for our club run on the 13th of August. So once again the BMW was called into service.

Next day I rang Century-Yuasa only to find that they had no Type 03 (MGB & Early VW) batteries available. So it was time to think about a 12 Volt battery to replace the traditional MGB six volt units.

First I made a ring around to discover that a couple of “C’s” were using a 12 Volt battery without any problems, including a 4.6 L V8 on 9.7:1 compression. Step 1; carefully measure both battery boxes, which turned out to be identical, to discover that the maximum length is 202mm, width between mounting rubbers 175mm and height up to 225+mm.

Step 2: Look up the B & C “Workshop Manuals”. The B has a lock in current of 340 amps and running current, at Starter speed of 1000 rpm, of 250 to 270 amps (cold cranking amps, expressed as CCA by battery manufacturers).

The C has a lock in current of 465 amps and running current at Starter speed of 1000 rpm of 260 amps.

MGB & MGC BATTERIES (cont.)

Addendum: For those members that have read my article on converting the MGB & C to a single 12 Volt battery here is an important update. Century now have available a European style type DIN44L 12 Volt battery with 370 CCA [cold cranking amps] which will fit into the right hand battery box [fuel pump side] if both the mounting lugs are cut down i.e.at each end, refer to the article in 'Tech Talk', for installation. This battery has 100 more cranking amps than the old type twin 6 Volt batteries and will be perfect for all MG's 4,6 and 8 cylinders.

For more than 35 years I have stuck to 2 Six Volt batteries without thinking about it until our “C” would not start for our club run on the 13th of August. So once again the BMW was called into service. Next day I rang Century-Yuasa only to find that they had no Type 03 (MGB & Early VW) batteries available. So it was time to think about a 12 Volt battery to replace the traditional MGB six volt units.

First I made a ring around to discover that a couple of “C’s” were using a 12 Volt battery without any problems, including a 4.6 L V8 on 9.7:1 compression. Step 1; carefully measure both battery boxes, which turned out to be identical, to discover that the maximum length is 202mm, width between mounting rubbers 175mm and height up to 225+mm.

Step 2: Look up the B & C “Workshop Manuals”. The B has a lock in current of 340 amps and running current, at Starter speed of 1000 rpm, of 250 to 270 amps (cold cranking amps, expressed as CCA by battery manufacturers). The C has a lock in current of 465 amps and running current at Starter speed of 1000 rpm of 260 amps.

Feel free to contact me about this change if you need any help - Bruce Ibbotson.
8 MAY 05.