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OK, Just wanted to make sure that you weren't chasing a non-existant problem (except for adjustment). They do sometimes get stuck in the "in" or off position. You original email stated that your lights were on all the time though. If you don't come up with a spare, you may be able to carefully open the switch and correct the problem. New ones are available too. Anything to do with brakes is not something to cut corners on. Gerard "gerardchateau" 12647... MORE


Thanks Gerard. No, my brakelights do not work. The switch is such that the little "plunger" which the pedal makes it go either "in" or "out" seems to be stuck in the in position. So when the brake pedal operates against the switch there is nothing to go in or out. I'm sorry, this is even sounding confusing to me. Mike kna331@... 12644... MORE


Mike, I'm confused... didn't you say your brake lights were on all the time? That means your switch works! Pushing the button IN breaks the circuit, NOT pulling it out. If you brakes lights work, your switch isn't shot. As I said this is a normally closed switch, meaning that in it's resting state the contacts are closed. It's "normal" position in the car (as David describes it) is with the pedal arm resting against it, HOLDING it open. This is not the same as the switch's "normal" state. You should check it with an ohmeter before you throw... MORE


Doing ok here Mike. ended up driving to Syracuse Monday night at midnight. The Fiance's Mother fell and broke her hip up in Watertown, their hospital didn't want to touch it, so hey medivaced her to University Med Ctr in Syracuse. Left home at midnight drove the 2 1/2 hours to the hospital, stayed there until yesterday evening (NO SLEEP) she was doing ok, so then I drove the 2 1/2 hours home again, so I am a bit punchy today. The wsitch is normally open and any pressure on the brake pedal closes the switch sending 12 volts... MORE


Hi David, Thanks for helping, again. How are things with you? I will be looking at the switch again. I just assumed it was your typical type brake lite switch, you know with the little plunger type thing that goes in and out when you depress the pedal. Gerard told me that it does not work that way, so I have to see. Let me know what you come up with. Thanks again....... Mike K. kna331@... 12624... MORE


Mike, Soaking won't help you. It's a normally closed switch! Pedal at rest keeps it open so you need to adjust the contact point of the pedal to the switch. Gerard "gerardchateau" 12593... MORE


Hi all, Have a '79 1500 with no brake lights. Removed switch and it seems to be stuck in the on (closed) position. I have tried with no luck to get the plunger type switch to come out. Does anyone out there have a spare switch in working order they have no need for? I am soaking this one in penetrating oil overnight and will see what happens in the morning. Thanks Mike K. kna331@... 12590... MORE


Show of hands, how many of you have a car that leaks oil?? So do I, in fact, my American and Jap cars have taken it up to compete with the Brit cars for attention. Due to the company coming tomorrow, I wanted my drive to look less "Simpson" like and got some bad ass pavement cleaner. Would you believe that Dollar Genital has this stuff. It is $5 a gallon and it is called Mean Green. Pour it on, use an old broom to brush it in, hose it off, easy. It removed the stains I made this... MORE


A '74 should have a floating pedal style as I recall. You can add a floating pedal to the rod end or just do without. I may have a top frame... have to look. Where are you located? Gerard "gerardchateau" 12464... MORE


Need convertible frame for my car. Went to strip off old top and frame has broken on hinged spots. Also has anyone replaced their gas pedal using something other than the original floor mounted gas pedal? thanks..Bruce "redrider417" 12456... MORE


Just want to say 'thanks' for the replies. I'm waiting for some parts to arrive, but this weekend I'll be checking out the brakes on the car. Anyone have experience painting the car with spray cans or brush? Bruce - Pa. "redrider417" 12416... MORE


Fond memories .... I used to get a nice drip on my right ankle (rhd car) when driving in the rain and never got rid of it. It filled my shoe and footwell but what the heck! - I just used a rubber mat and folded that over my ankle when it rained. However, what prompted the re-shelling of the Sprite 1275 was after the bonnet flew open whilst driving along and wrapped round the canvas. It also bent the scuttle/decker (call it what you want) panel under the front screen. The next time it rained I was sat... MORE


Welcome aboard!! :) First thing you want to do is get a maintenance manual for your car and read through it just to get familiar. www.aptfast.com www.MiniMania.com www.VictoriaBritish.com 1. Brakes - These are not "power" items and quite frankly, require a great deal of pedal effort (as compared to current vehicles) however, when you DO really put your foot in it, it should definitely STOP quickly. If it does not, then new pads for the front and linings for the rear may definitely be in order. The brake lines are rubber and wear out. Steel lines are available for... MORE


Bruce, You probably had all your questions answered by now, but as I didn't follow this thread, I'll igve you my answers, just in case. 1. brakes should be better that you describe. A hard pedal with poor braking usually means swollen flexible lines. Replace all three hoes for starters. You might also have poor pads or worn rotors. Try Axxis brand organic pads/shoes. Kevlar brake pads are also supposed to be very good, but I understand they are expensive. Get the right grade for street use. 2 and 3 or normal. 4. Investigate for leaking shocks and worn... MORE


Steve, I am afraid the damage is permanent. Brake fluid is an agressive paint remover/destroyer...... David A. Stevens Jr. Utilities Engineer II NYS Office Of General Services Sheridan Avenue Steam Plant 79 Sheridan Avenue Albany, NY 12210 "Stevens, David" 12392... MORE


Please check out this picture of a very nasty stain on top of my right-side fender: http://www.geocities.com/my1978mgmidget/fluid_stain.jpg I suspect that it was caused by spilled brake fluid, or maybe a degreaser or other solvent? Antifreeze? Anyone seen this kind of mess before? As you can see it has eaten through the paint at a few spots. I have contemplated scrubbing it with compound but am not sure I would remove it before the paint! Any thoughts here? Steve 78 Midget Steven Michelsen 12391... MORE


Jorge, Thanks for the info. Did you do anything to your brakes...stainless steel hoses, different brake pads...? Any plans on what do for for handling? different shocks...? What's your opinion on lowering the car? Bruce "redrider417" 12345... MORE


Yep, sounds about right to me... With the exception of the brakes- My setup is standard and I can get the tyres to make some noise ,but they won't lock-up on a dry surface "Dijkhof34" 12305... MORE


Bruce, Answers to the nest of my knowledge as follows many will correct me if I'm wrong! Biggest thing to remember that it is completely pointless comparing an LBC to a modern car. Different century, different technology and 28 years of hard use under its' belt! 1) Brakes in comparison to modern standards will feel week. If you really really really stamp on them you should be able to get the wheels to lock though. Aside from checking that you discs (rotors in the USA?) and pads are ok then from what you describe they sound in good nick.... MORE


With exeption to the brakes, (I can do panic stops over dry surfaces!!) its a full description of my 73, so seems all is right!!!! to LBC standards. The only point I want to fix in mine is number 4, its not welcome when "driving happily" thru a twisted narrow road and this happens......... Jorge BA-Argentina "Jorge Dimitrakis" 12326... MORE


As I said in an earlier post, just bought a '74 Midget last week. Since I have nothing to compare it to, hope I can get some answers from this list. (1) How good should the brakes be? I can stop the car, but it takes effort and time. The pedal isn't spongy, and it doesn't rise up after pumping a few times, but the brakes just aren't that great. Normal? (2) 1st gear -seems to be noisy. Doesn't pop out, no crunching, just noisy. Normal? Do all gears have synchromesh? (3) When accelerating there's a bit of a... MORE


Not sure where you are but here in the UK I have used the filter head and pipe with its banjo bolt from a scrap 1100 Metro ( UK breakers yards are full of them ). the complete set up costs about 5 pounds and fits on with no modifications (assuming you don't want the blocked oil filter light). The pipe is the oil return and yes it would matter a lot if it was blocked. Best of luck Dave "David Dixon" 12277... MORE


Jeremy Lots of ghost stories about slave problems. I was trying to figure out how the slave could be leaking. Overthrow is one idea! However the final problem was traced to a split pipe which was running down the inside of the pipe to the slave and collecting on the bottom of the slave LOOKING like it WAS the slave !! It wasn't so I had a new pipe made up, cleaned everything and bleed the system which was a nightmare. As you say the nipple is so tight up against the chassis so I had the starter out,... MORE


Brandon, The email portion of the service will not accept attachments. I am trying to work up a diagram for the proper routing of the hoses and the valve. Do you have any drawing software on your puter? David A. Stevens Jr. Utilities Engineer II NYS Office Of General Services Sheridan Avenue Steam Plant 79 Sheridan Avenue Albany, NY 12210 "Stevens, David" 11977... MORE


I don't think I made myself clear. :) I do that often. My heater blower box is connected directly with the radiator, etc.. It's not routed throught the small valve the the left of the box at all. As a result, the heater is switched "on" at all times... I can close the small heater doors in the cabin, but at 55mph.. I still feel the heat. I'm not sure how to connect the hoses back through the valve and then back to the heater blower box. I'll send you photos tomorrow via e-mail. I wonder if I can... MORE