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All, After the last visit to the mechanic, he told me the front shocks in my 77 Midget need replacing. In looking at Moss and Vic Brit catalogs, I see conversion kits for the rear, but nothing beyond different springs for the front. Recent discussions pointed me to Frontline. But the website does not contain pricing on the front end kit. Anyone know the current price? Brake lights are out. Bulbs appear fine. Brake lights are usually optional in Massachusetts, but need to get the beast inspected soon, and the Powers That Be want the lights functional. How easy... MORE
Not sure about the front shock conversion, but the brake light switcheroo, ain't no big thing. Because of the location on the leading edge of the foot-pedal box under the hood, sometimes requires small fingers. Pretty simple fix otherwise. I replaced mine in about 30 minutes or so. "Stevens, David" 2697... MORE
All, thanks for all the suggestions ... only just replaced all the gearbox stuff - previous owner had put the clutch in back to front so it was one of the first things I did. The timing chain is part of the rebuild so that should be ok. Gearbox mounts look sound. Oil cooler sounds tempting but that would delay getting the car back on the road and I'm itching to drive the thing. Fitted a new clutch slave cylinder only a couple of months ago so that should be ok. Radiator and hoses & thermostat are all new.... MORE
Mark Did the first few years of Midget ownership with 1098 engines - not a problem... Have a go at the following: - 1. New clutch and release bearing 2. As you suggest 1275 oil filter housing & new engine mounts (also new gearbox mounts maybe?) 3. Replace the (single chain) camshaft timing set up with a 1275 duplex set up 4. Check/flush the radiator 5. Replace the thermostat 6. Check/replace the radiator hoses 7. Check/replace/fit an oil cooler and hoses 8. New spark plugs/leads/dizzy cap/rotor arm etc etc... You can go with running in oil - I never... MORE
Paul, To my knowledge it is perfectly normal for the pressure to be high until oil warms up as when it is cold it is more viscous and hence offers more resistance to being pumped round the galleries. As it warms up it becomes more fluid and easier to pump and the pressure indicated drops at idle, then as you rev you are trying to flow a greater quantity through the same galleries and hence pressure goes up again. As to whether your pressures are excessively high I'm afraid I don't have experience of your particular engine but others... MORE
Thanks mike for your input. My cable has gone at the speedo head end were it is nearly a direct line in, so no stress should be there. the other end from the box is straight thro' the tunnel so again is straight. Many thanks to dave of Cambridge for organising todays run much enjoyed me and grandma.( Wife was unable to attend). Off to france germany and holland next week in the midget, so we are deciding what we can fit into one suitcase, shoes not included. will give you an update on return or via the net... MORE
Chas My guess would be fuel pump (i.e. not enough fuel getting to the carbs) You might like to renew the fuel hoses at the same time as the pump replacement. Regards James "James Bilsland" 2438... MORE
Hi, Guys Just thought I would sound-off to the List, since my family isn't into car stuff, and does'nt understand envy, lust, & being happy for another guy - all at the same time. I think you guys will understand. A friend, Fritz (who has a very nice 59 Bugeye as a daily driver) came by the house late yesterday to show me his new "project." Jumped into his Bugeye & drove over to his place (end of LBC content). In his garage is an absolutely gorgeous '58 Mercedes Benz 190 SL convertible! One of his sons had found... MORE
I have a 1960BUGEYE for sale. I have advertised it befor but had no pictures. It is an older restoration with engine, transmission, hydraulics, electrical, cooling, paint, interior, suspension top side cuttains, tires. This was done 8 years ago and has about 8.5 k since resto. The pictures are on www.geocities.com/eulipion/bugeye.html. The car is located in Pennsylvania. Asking $6000. You can e mail me here or at work. Work is mlacoco@... mlacoco@... 2385... MORE
I am putting back together an GAN 1 948cc Midget. I am having to replace the old intake manifold due to a large crack in it. The number on the old one was AEA 634. I found a NOS intake manifold, part number 12g299 with 242 stamped above. The new intake puts the carb's closer to the head. My question is: Will this hurt performance at all. I have a stock exhuast manifold to replace the homemade headers, so clearance is not a problem. I am trying to stay as close to orignal as the budget will allow, i.e.... MORE
g'day from down under, 1st -thank you to all who helped with the "sticky brake syndrome".All the parts on the entire brake system had been replaced Except the rubber hose from the back of the shell to the back axle..............guess what was stuffed?!! A bottle of cockmans white rum to Biff ....how the Pom's get a pipe to contract under internal pressure we shall leave to them and their god!! 2nd yes Blighty is a great place to visit hire a "classic sports" from one of the many suppliers of same and pray for decent weather!! But, really, driving... MORE
Graham, You will need to take the slide to a photo shop and have it used to make a print, then you can scan the print to a .jpeg or other sort of digital image. If you have numerous slides you might consider taking the lot to the photo shop and have them digitized onto a floppy disk. Be advised that slides, when reprinted, sometimes show a bit more of the red spectrum in the results. It depends on the film type and emulsion. Dave in New York. (amateur photographer) "Stevens, David" 2329... MORE
Thanks James and all other repliers, This change of engine is getting a bit expensive...........so I 'll just put in a standard bearing and replace it next year!! By the way now I have taken the engine out of the car and pushed it out of the garage, there is a sort of knocking noise coming from the gearbox, which is still in the car, is this OK?, or have I done something silly by moving the car? Or is it just that the release bearing arm has moved forward under pressure from the Hydraulic fluid? This is a... MORE
Success! Made up pressurised system with airline set at 30psi & bung in m/cyl. Blew in fluid.Jacked up front of car to get air in slave cyl.to bleed vent. Finally pushed slave cyl. piston back a couple of times to help air to vent. Steve. 72 midget "Steve Cowling" 2174... MORE
Recently I saw a great tip / trick to do this: - Connect a hose from the bleeding nipple of a brake caliper to the bleeding nipple of the clutch slave cilinder - Open both bleeding nipples - Press the brake pedal to pump brake fluid into the clutch slave cilinder - Do this as often as is desired - Close the bleeding nipples - Remove the hose Because of the fact that the fluid is going up through the clutch-fluid line into the reservoir, it will be easier to get the air pockets/bubbles out! Be careful not to... MORE
Help please. I have bled about half a litre of fluid thru it and still no joy. seems like an air pocket somewhere. is there a trick to it? Steve. 72 midget. "Steve Cowling" 2132... MORE
Hi Ian & Cathy, Mike et al .... When I go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/midgetsprite there is a yellow column on the left of my screen with a list and 3rd from the bottom is 'Polls'. You can access the POLL through there. Alternatively, let me know and I'll vote for you. (Mike, is it the London in UK, Canada, America, Tanzania or S. Africa?) Chris - NO - DON'T STOP, trying to follow you would be too hard! Keep it going, it's great. The midgetsprite group is one of the best around (OK I've got a sad life!)but this is... MORE
James I'll try and get along to say hello and nosey over your car. It will be good to see and listen to something so tuned. I'll look out for you round the pits, I assume your car will have your name on it, but any other pointers ? I'd still be interested to know where you got your brake set up from and of course how much ! regards peter peter bentley 2056... MORE
I use transmission fluid in mine works like charm Jason Brewer Maine USA "Jason Gross" 2054... MORE
I am testing on Friday and racing on Saturday. Maybe see you there? I have recently fitted modified brakes - vented discs and 4 pot alloy calipers - very effective but maybe a little 'over the top' for a road car. I would make sure that your standard brakes are in tip top shape and fit uprated brake pads (i.e. Mintex 1144 or similar) Regards James Bilsland "James Bilsland" 2048... MORE
are you racing sat or sun ?? The camshaft from memory was a mg metro turbo or equivalent. I don't remember the piston details other than they are powermax I seem to recall. I have also changed the distributor to an Aldon Yellow I think. What do you do about the brakes on your race car ? can you modify then or are you held to book by the regs peter peter bentley 2039... MORE
I've run an A+ engined Midget with the 1500 Midget gearbox for 6 years. Uses an HIF 44 (HIF6) on an alloy MG Metro manifold. The MG Metro head has larger inlet valves (Cooper S size) and is compatible if you drill and tap a bypass hose stub for the water pump end. Photos available along with any other info. Picking up my new MGCGT today. Triple 45 DHLAs!!!! Had 3x48 webers on it but he bust one getting the spindle out to change the acc pump. Cost him just under 800 quid for the bits to do this.... MORE
Peter Frontline & Peter May both do good kits, 8"+ Discs/ Bigger pads etc. Try the standard 1275 kit with a perfect setup and Mintex 1144 pads first, for most road work the standard setup will lock the wheels! Its only repeated high speed stops that fades them, its called racing! Mike M. North London mike643mnp@... 1974... MORE
Can anyone recommend the best autojumbles in the London area for Spridget parts? I'm intending to go to Bromley on June 24th, is it any good? I guess I'm getting a bit hooked on looking through piles of bits to find bargins. Still, only last week I went to the MG club meeting at Gaydon and found 2 screws for the handbrake, and I got a Haynes manual for =A31 at Battlesbridge!...only cost me about =A330 in petrol... =A320 in entrance fees for me, my wife and father . . . etc etc. Will there be an autojumble at... MORE
I have a probably often asked question, but here goes... I am on my second go-around with my Mark 1 Midget, GAN1, 948 engine. Well, when I built the motor the first time, I just did some "freshening up." I did not pull the crank, or rods. Just basically gaskets, but I did pull the backplate off the block. I was a dummy, and didn't use any gasket seal, and now it pukes oil from the back end. Now the rear plate on the rear main, that I have seen several folks talk about was there. I did not... MORE
