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Hello Folks Did 1971 Midgets 1275 come with a light dimmer? I can see my gages but they seam to be dim. Of course she's 32 years old. If you have any ideas it would appreciate it alot. Thanks Jason "Jason Gross" 9395... MORE
I've done this a dozen times with no problems, especially if the engine weight is already of them. A couple tricks are to use a coarse thread bolt and either a deep socket or a short spanner to wind or unwind the nut. I also a sleeve spacer or a stack of washers to offset any not needed extra length I have with the threads. This probably also reduces friction making the on and off process faster. I can get a pan on or off in about 10-15 minutes taking my time. Gerard "gerardchateau" 9387... MORE
On the other hand, if they're that far gone, your pistons are probaly no godd either. I'd check the ring lands before you have new pins made. New pistons will come with new pins. "gerardchateau" 9381... MORE
I think the pins are harder than the con rods, so it may well be that the small ends in the rods are worn more than the pins. More likely some home mechanic had trouble pressing the pins in (they're tight, and would take a really big hammer) and opened up the conrod small ends for you. I'd suspect this because the kid at the local NAPA shop wanted to hone the small ends on my rods to make the pins go in easier, and he had a 10 ton press. I'd measure both before doing anything. If you... MORE
The pistons in the 1275 engine are retained by interference fit gudgeon pins. Two of the gudgeon pins in my engine are loose which could allow the pins to rub against the cylinder bores. I can't see these pins advertised for sale anywhere so, short of haveing pins specially made or buying complete piston assemblies, does anyone have any experience of finding a way of retaining the pins? I was considering drilling and pinning through the small end of the con rods, which has the advantage of keeping the gudgeon stationary at the expense of weakening the small end... MORE
Can anyone help locate 1969 (G) MG Midget SKID 263G? Last whereabouts Southport ca. 1990. Main features: Modified engine; RWA (should be square at that age!); de-bumpered. One (of many!) pictures at: http://www.lestac.co.uk/mg/skd263g.jpg Thanks, Simon "Simon Worby" 9348... MORE
by the way, item is listed on ebay f you know anyone who needs an engine or tranny...thanks to all of you! ~Rob "babyblumg" 9321... MORE
Mike, Thanx for the reply, I didn't know you Yanks raced midgets, I thought you just polished and talked about them. :o) :o) I thought that I had replied to you, but can't find a copy in my sent item file. At the moment I've got two 1275 engines on the bench in my garage. Both reputedly to be good. But want to try them out before fitting one of them into the car. I've not seen or heard either of them running , an they've both been standing , out a the car for several years. The engine... MORE
Peter: My name is Jeffrey Holmes. I live in Spartanburg, SC. I've earned my living as a chemical engineer/metallurgist, specializing in plating and heat treating, for almost forty years. I am afraid I have to at least partially take issue with your comments about rust and caliper failure. While some calipers use pistons coated with soft materials like cadmium plating or phosphate coating, Spridget calipers have hard chrome plated pistons, and I have seen many leaking and stuck calipers in which the chrome plating on the piston was in fine condition. I have twice rebuilt the calipers in my... MORE
I've driven the new BMW mini cooper . Will probably have a new Cooper S for next weekends use. The cooper was plenty fast enough me , had to keep checking the speedo and reducing my speed. The car feels so footsure and the engine noise at the right pitch that you don't want to drive at a sensible (legal) pace. I hated the door pockets though. Regards Alan "alan.east-jones" 9250... MORE
The welding was the failure: the springs were an "advisory". I just put tha t in after the earlier postings on this subject. Another advisory point which came up was that one front brake seems to bind when cold. When the car's done a mile or so, the pulling seems to disappear . Its something you "get used to" as part of the drive from home, same as keeping the revs below 2,500 (and more recently, not using first gear too much).When warm, I can brake hard from speed without any problem: I don't even have to "pump" the... MORE
Pity its built by BMW (albeit in the UK) using a Chrysler engine and can barely seat 3 adults... Learnt to drive on a Mini 850, (and passed my test on 1st April 1980!) and my sister still has hers. Miss them, even though they had not changed too much since they were introduced in '59. Charlie '72 RWA (First ever car, 2 rebuilds and 3=BD engines so far) "Heard, Charlie D (UK - London)" 9238... MORE
Too much sag, they're having you on aren't they. I'm not an expert but I'd like to see the rule under which they failed that. OK it's a problem that needs dealing with but I can't believe it's an MoT failure unless the car is very very saggy. Try another MoT station, a couple of years back my reliable MoT place got a new man and he failed mine on front bearings and rack. Took it elsewhere and they passed it without even giving any 'advises' on those items (which I knew were fine). Jeremy '63 Sprite "Jeremy Cogman"... MORE
No idea - just passing on what my tame mechanic told me. Afraid I haven't spoken to him for a few days, so I'll pass on anything interesting: I had a look after I got the replies and could not find what I thought I was describing (if that makes sense!). Car's off the road again after it failed its MOT (UK roadworthiness test) o n rear springs (too much sag to driver's side - ring any bells) and a bit of welding. Should have it on the road by next weekend - another sunny weekend missed - AAARGH!... MORE
Yeah call me crazy. The Midget should be running in about a month. The Mini PU awaits a lot of floor panel welding but should see progress once the Midget gets its Kent cam, Kenlowe, Alden Yellow, Datsun 5speed, and a set of progressive valve springs I got in the UK ten years ago. Still looking for an LCB for LHD and 1.5s Third in line is the faithful Austin 1300/America that served me so faithfully all those years when it was all I had. Right rear seat cut out so I could carry my standup string bass, what... MORE
I AM selling my 1098 & 4spd trans. I will sell them cheaper, to the highest offer as a bundle, or as individual units. The engine is in good shape, runs, but having oil pressure problems. Was going to overhaul it, but REALLY WANT a 1275 w/ 5 spd datsun. SSOOOO, email all offers to RMLRobL@... and I will close bids down on April 20, unless I get what I need before then. Thanks to everyone for your inputs. ~Rob :( I found out my car is not a 66' :) Its a 64//Midget MKII woohoo! researched by VIN... MORE
You can put a 'B' engine in if you really want to BUT a good 1275 is far better. The handling and space needed for the 'B' gear box is enormous. The weight of the thing causes brakes and handling problems. Aside It was with a rebuilt (by me) B engine (in a GT) that I first travelled at 100mph on the road - frightened myself silly though. 2 miles a minute in the new mini cooper is an absoloute doddle though. Regards Alan "alan.east-jones" 9190... MORE
A bit late I admit, but WD-40 is about the best starting fluid you can use. Much less volatile and provides a bit of lubrication. However, I would not suggest doing your deep breathing excersizes over either product. David A. Stevens Jr. Utilities Engineer II NYS Office Of General Services Sheridan Avenue Steam Plant 79 Sheridan Avenue Albany, NY 12210 "Stevens, David" 9193... MORE
does anyone know where they sell a pre-packaged kit? Gaskets, pistons, rods, etc...? If not, guess Ill have to get the parts individually... ~Rob 66"//Midget "babyblumg" 9184... MORE
AGREE !!!!!! With my poor english reading, one of the first things I noticed when I was new one to the list, a few months ago, is the "blue" midgetsprite-unsubscribe@... . Sometimes I feel sorry for being "short language one" , but every time I read a "please remove me from list" at messages board, I am happy to be short language one, rather than short brain one..................IMHO. LOL !!!!!!! 1955 Jorge Dimitrakis 1973 Midget 1275 RWA "Jorge Dimitrakis" 9188... MORE
Could have got that engine for 400! Oh well! Well, here it is in a nutshell. I have contacted local clubs(if you call 300+ miles away local) here in Louisiana, to try and find a reputable builder to mechanist who KNOWS this engine..WELL! No luck. So I either ship it to Rivergate, or the guy Brad knows; or try this http://www.brittek.com/majorenginekit.html and do it myself w/ a friend. I have re-ringed a buick 3.8 iter, but this is different! This is where I am at: Today I am stripping the car..completely.I am selling of the entire interior minus the... MORE
Brad, at least you'd have some additional power (if you could keep the front suspension off the pavement). The amount of work would probably be about the same, but the B engine would have very little gain in the $$$ to performance ratio...'-) Gerard "gerardchateau" 9173... MORE
Rob, Not practically. The transmission is about 5 inched longer and biger around. The engine is considerably longer, taller and heavier. With the amount of extra weight and cutting you'd need to do, I can't think of a worse option to consider for a Sprite. Gerard "gerardchateau" 9170... MORE
Brett When I rebuilt my 1500 I went to .20 over flat top pistons, milled the head .080, TSI 275-4 cam, Weber DGV and Monza header and exhaust. Works real good. Doug 77 Michigan Doug Pletcher 9186... MORE
Gerard or Rob, do either of you know if a 1798 from a MGB will or would fit in a midget. A guy has one he rebuilt for his car, but ordered another high performance engine instead(tax return..lol) Id love to put it in, if it is feasable...Thanx! ~Rob 66' Midget "babyblumg" 9168... MORE
