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While driving my midget[1500]noticed some water spray on windsheild. Then noticed temp gauge climbing. Had to keep going about 2 miles befor pulling off to check.after letting her set a few minutes removed cap still had water. Replaced cap, continued home. Replaced thermostat tppped off with coolant, test out. After about 2or3 miles temp gauge goes up comes down goes 3/4ths up etc. but ends up staying all the way up.Stop cut engine off,hear it pecolating.But dosnt actually boil over. What gives?? Could it be the cap?? "stanley hill" 15204... MORE
I have a 1975 Midget 1500 it is red and very nice. My wife and I went on an evening stroll to enjoy the whether .We decided to take the Interstate home (at 65 MPH ) The first time I have had my new car that fast. I noticed the engine temp went up to around 220. When we exited the highway my car was making an awful knocking noise. I have since taken off the valve cover and that looks and sounds fine. The knocking noise is coming from the back half of the engine. Just spending LOTS... MORE
Fitting the rear brake circlip - people make it sound difficult but it is really simple, you just have to BELIEVE that it will go on first time .... and it does. The clip ( called an E-clip) has 3 contact points with the brake cylinder. Position it with the open side towards the bleed nipple. It looks as if it won't cear the axle casing next to the back plate, but it will, there is a bit of a groove there that the outer edge of the clip fits into. Don't grind away any of the clip as... MORE
Can a circlip tool do the job? I don't know if the brake cylinder is diffe rent than the main cylinder. I removed and replaced the circlips with an o rdinary tool that looks like this: http://www.biltema.no/products/product.asp?iSecId=3D843&iItemId=3D18486 regards Thorvald (Norway) "Thorvald (Norway)" 15175... MORE
no, that type won't work. The circlip is more like a sprung 'C' washer, without the holes for normal circlip pliers. One method I've tried is using a close fitting tube or socket to press the clip into place. Something which may help is to clean off any rust/paint on both sides of the backplate where the cylinder fits, so you have a fighting chance of pushing the clip on far enough to reach it's groove. Regards David "David Jacobs" 15178... MORE
Ok The clue is in the subject line - how the heck does one fit the circlip that hold the wheel cylinder in? Any suggestions thankfully received! Regards Chris "howes" 15174... MORE
Any one recommend a company that can re-build macter cylinders in the UK? Roughly how much does it cost (either in the US or in the UK)? Regards Chris "howes" 15171... MORE
My 67 Sprite has a frozen transmission which needs a rebuild anyway and was considering getting the conversion kit from Rivergate and hopefully find a used tranny locally to rebuild. I'm willing to rebuild it myself since I would have to rebuild one anyway to get my Sprite rolling. What engine RPM can I expect on 5th at around 70 MPH? Any conversion users around that can share their experience? Thanks in advance. "Yuchol Kim" 15187... MORE
First, when did they start putting the 1500cc engine into Midgets? Second, in todays world, all the "sports cars" are advertised with their 0-60 times. For those who have modified their cars for performance, what would you guess your cars would do? I know that's not really what they are about, but still, how quick can you get one of these little buggers to go? "coachbad" 15151... MORE
To the first part anyway... the '75 rubber bumper was the first year for the Triumph 1500 engine in the Midget. Triumph ser# prefix was FM and FP was used in the MG's. Paul Tegler ptegler@... www.teglerizer.com "ptegler@cablespeed" 15152... MORE
David, A little easier to do in a 1975+ because the front crossmember redesign leaves more room for the engine at the crankshaft pulley. Gerard the Datsun B-210 engine and tranny will go in with a little "gerardchateau" 15137... MORE
So despite some advices on taking the transmission, I decided to jack up the car to take a look to see if it was possible without taking the engine out. First of all, this is my first ever experience with these small cars. Man, it took some imagination jacking up the car both front and back. If I got the front lifted, the back got too low to get the jack underneath. So I had to go back and forth. Anyway, the transmission well looks too tight to drop it down without taking the engine out. My Sprite/Midget book... MORE
Check the archives, there are a number of options. Also check the archives on the bbs at mgcars.org.uk. Options are Toyota twink, Mazda Rotary. Chevy V6 and Rover K among others. That said either of the original engines a-series of Triumph 1500 (what you had) should be reliable if well maintained jeremy.cogman@... 15123... MORE
Has any installed a catalytic converter on a 1973 Midget with the 1275 engine? DSutteiii@... 15127... MORE
I have a 1975 Midget 1500. I have just finished restoring the body and love the way it looks Last week I was on the highway and I think I blew the engine. What I wandered about is there another engine like a brand new one from another style of car that would fit into a midget so I would have a reliable car? And if there is it hard to do? Thanks from Ohio Dave David & Kay Maroscher 15122... MORE
Peter, I assume you were holding the 'shift' key down while pressing '5' and also that the last character is actually a 'G' not a 9 (not the first time this has been transposed when copying from chassis plates or other documents) This being so, I reckon your car would have been built around May/June 1972 (The last 1972 model was GAN5-123644 built in June '72); though that would suggest it was hanging around more than a year before being registered which is a bit odd. There may be other clues to it's age, for example, are the quarter... MORE
nahhh, I've done it by myself several times; when putting it back, you just need to prop the hinges open at a suitable angle, screw studs (not setscrews) into a couple of the hinge-to-bonnet threaded holes to act as locators, drop the bonnet in place on the hinges, prop the front with a length of broom handle, then put the securing screws in, simple! To paraphrase Mr Haynes, removal is a reversal of refitting. David "David Jacobs" 15113... MORE
If you achieve it you'' be the first in history (as far as we know!). Engine/trans in out in a day with one man and an engine hoist is very achievable. That said it's much easier with the bonnet off and that is a two man job! jeremy.cogman@... 15110... MORE
Is this true? Do I have to take the engine out with it? Please let me know, I was going to attempt at it tomorrow. I was hoping to be able to jack it up and drop it underneath... "Yuchol Kim" 15109... MORE
In 1994 I went on a camping trip round Scotland in my 1500 Midget. Wanted to be able to carry everything in the lockable boot so decided to leav out the spare and take one of those aerosol tyre inflaters. Somehow the spare has never yet got back into the boot, either on that car or the current 1275 Sprite. Clocked up over 85,000 miles since then in the two cars with no problems. No doubt, now I have said that, my time will now come! Guy "Guy Weller" 15098... MORE
I have though about using the space saver spare from an early 4 stud mx5 / miata. Yes I know it's a 100mm pcd but if one were to relive the holes slightly and bearing in mind the light / gentle use it would get. It's just occured to me that the Mazda's stud / bolt holes may be bigger, anyone know? Thoughts, comments. "Jeremy Cogman" 15089... MORE
David, Correct, well done. I thought it was a Ginnetta at first, your Email reminded me that yes it had a Ford engine in there. The lines at the front in particular are very Midget mk 2 - 3 . At first glance (or as we say in the drawing office "If you close one eye and squint" one could be forgiven for thinking its a midget. The rear wing shape and small bonnet at 2nd glance give the game away. The Turner site is very good , Wouldn't it be nice if the Spridget group could do something... MORE
Its not a bad book, and gives a good grounding on everything, but for bodywork I found the best book was 'Practical Classics & Car Restorer on Midget/sprite Restoration. ISBN 0948 207 485 published by Brooklands Books, distibuted in USA by Motorbooks International, Osceola, Wisconsin 54020 USA Tel: 715294 3345. (Telephone No. may well be out of date by now ) This book is very good on bodywork and also deals with removal of engine and rebuild etc. So far as tuning goes some of the listers stateside will know a lot more that I do Been catching up... MORE
Bought my first ever LBC, 67 Sprite, and want to get a good book on restoration. I was thinking of MG Midget & Austin-Healey Sprite: Guide to Purchase & D.I.Y. Restoration Lindsay Porter. Is this a good book or is there something else that's better? Also for those who own this book, does it tell you how to tune the engine, carb, transmission, etc? I noticed this is not a cheap book... "Yuchol Kim" 15004... MORE
A guy who runs a Sprite in the local autocrosses uses an enclosed U-Haul trailer. Not sure of the size. Since the transmission is stuck in third I would disconnect the drive shaft and push it into the trailer. Might take a bit of effort. Have you considered flat towing it? Assuming the brakes work. Martyn meastwood1@... Thanks everyone. Some reason, I'm having difficulty finding one though. Either they are too narrow, or too short (have walls around) or too big to tow with a Silverado 1/2 ton. Even got into an arguement with a rental guy over it.... MORE
