The MGA With An Attitude
Parking Brake Mounting Bolts - BT-103B
The question is, why are there an odd number of bolts of different lengths for installing the hand brake lever and tunnel reinforcing brackets?
This image from the Workshop Manual shows the tunnel reinforcing brackets at the hand brake mounting location. The Service Parts List calls for five short bolts (1/2 inch) and three longer ones (5/8 inch). The longer bolts go on the right side to accommodate thickness of the hand brake mounting flange. Seven of the bolts are assembled with heads on outside of the tunnel for minimal bump under the carpet. The last bolt, top front on the right side, is a shorter bolt installed with head inside the tunnel, because it cannot be inserted from outside with the hand brake ratchet segment in the way. It appears that the space available could accommodate a bolt 1/8 inch longer, but it might be a bit more of a fiddle to install the lockwasher and hex nut.
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