MG Car Repair: electrical problem, oil pressure gauge, 30 amp fuse

Question
I am a novice to the 1980 MGB that I just purchased. When driving it the other day, the gauges went off, except for the oil pressure gauge. I found a fuse blown, but there are Lucas brand fuses in the car which I have never dealt with. Do you have to replace the fuses with Lucas brand or what is a viable substitute for these?? They are 35 AMP with 17 AMP continuous. I haven't been able to find any 35 AMP fuses, the highest I have found is 30 AMP - are these sufficient for replacements. I am new to the MGB world and have a lot to learn. I have a Haynes manual with it that I am starting to study, but it leaves a lot of background stuff out. Is there any books you recommend reading to get up to snuff on this model - 1980 MGB convertible - British.

thank you,

Jim Hawk

Answer
Hi Jim,

A 30 amp domestic fuse will work. You can even use a lower amp rating in most positions in the fuse box. The smaller wires in an 80 MGB are 14 ga. and a 30 amp fuse will blow before damaging a harness. You need to clean the small side clamps that hold the fuse as they have just as much trouble with corroded connections on the fuses as they do with the fuses themselves. (Lucas, Prince of Darkness)

The Haynes manual is ok and the other one is a Bentley manual. Some Bentley manuals do have a little more then Haynes. Any time you run into something that you can't find in the manual or you need a clarification on, you can contact us on this program.

Howard