Handbrake Lever

[rimzimmer]

I was just wondering if the handbrake lever in a B can be modifided to a "fly off" lever. I'm not sure if they changed during the production so mine is a 68. Cheers Andy

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Interesting question, Andy. I'm sure a "reverse" ratchet-pawl could be fabricated. I'll be interested in the responses.

By the way, from your location, it appears you're down under. I hope you and yours weren't near Typhoon (Cyclone?) Larry.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif Mickey

 

[rimzimmer]

Nah luckly Oz is a big place and i am about 4000 km away

 

[tony barnhill]

Wouldn't that be completely backwards from the way it works now?

 

[jlaird]

You know folks use to talk about doing this, but I don't remember how. Seems they took it apart and put it back different was all. I know they made nothing new.

 

[PAUL161]

Andy, What would be the purpose of doing that? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif PJ

 

[kennypinkerton]

Only purpose I could see is for use in stunt driving. It would definately be useless as a parking brake that way.

 

[DrEntropy]

It actually reverses the "button" function: raise the handle and push the button down to "lock" it, to release it just yank it and let go. Some trials competitions make it desirable to yank the handbrake and NOT have it stay ON. IIRC, reversing the pawl does it... not all mechanism's are that easy, dunno which is which.

 

[jlaird]

Aye, used in Autocross that way.

 

[AlanT]

There is a reference to this in the competition manual. It states that you need part #'s (C) AHH 7222 rod and AHH7223 pawl to convert. I don't think you can flip these and get the results you desire.

Alan T

 

[Steve_S]

The answer is yes. I have a fly-off in my '67 BGT. The parts Alan mentions are difficult to find but will do the conversion. You can also modify it yourself if you are clever.

MGAs all used fly-off handles but I doubt any parts are interchangable with the MGB unit.

I love it and plan to convert my '65 to fly-off as well. It turns the brake into a true hand brake, not just a parking brake. It is also very, very handy if you need to start on a steep incline and the idiot behind you is right on your bumper. And it is a good theft deterrent, too. A thief will never figure out how to release the brake!

 

[Skywalker]

Andy, What would be the purpose of doing that? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif PJ

The purpose is; try starting to move with the car facing uphill. With a fly-off handbrake you can "hold the car still" (rather than role backwards) while letting the clutch out until the clutch engages. That way you do NOT have to press the accelerator so hard and waist gasoline. Also, it is great to help get around curves, but that is another story.