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Chris, Cylinder pressure should be 125 psi on a fresh engine. Robbiesg "Rob Coxworth" 7625... MORE
The postings about setting valve clearances reminded me of how I felt unsure of myself when I used feeler gages to set them up. A machinist friend made me a measuring instrument that made the job very easy to be accurate. It uses a dial indicator on a solid framework which bolts to the head bolts on the cylinder head. I have set up a folder in the Photos section so anyone interested can see what it looks like. I call it "Valve Measurement Tool". Nelson Wittstock Medina, Ohio "witstock7" 7606... MORE
When first purchased my '62 948, the mechanical fuel pump was unreliable. I opened it up and found a bit of rust in the valves. Whatever seals were in there were fine, so I cleaned it, closed it up, and have put about 10,000 miles on it since. Question for the list, the mechanical pump has a part number on it AC type D A00189. Any sources for spares, possible cross reference with another mechanical pump? As a mechanical engineer, I'm partial to the mechanical pump, and I'm looking to have a spare to carry. Mike schicmg@... 7607... MORE
Tim, Two ways to go. Run a white wire from the switched side of the fuse block along your main harness to the boot and through a small grommeted hole there. you will need to cut your fuel line if it's one piece there (and it likely is). You could also use a fuel pumpp in the engine bay which would simplify the wiring and fuel line modifications. There are several fuel pumps you could use in the engine bay including an SU designed for firewall mounting in the Morris Minor. On my '72 Midget, which had an underboot... MORE
One more thing that is very helpful is an adjustable timing light to use when you do this or just time you motor. Mine is digital but you can get a real cheap one from HF. Mine gives RPM, dwell, and advance or retard readings and you can preset the amount of advance you want to see. I have a mark for TDC on the top of the motor where I can see it. With an adjustable light you get RPM readout and how much advance at that RPM. As an example say I want 32 deg at 4000... MORE
Hello Folks I own a 1971 MG Midget 1275 GAN 5 UB 94654 G I was wondering Is there a fuel filter on my car? I have looked up and down on the car to see were it would be but with no success. Does anyone know if they were outfitted and were it would be located on the car? Thanks to all Jason "Jason Gross" 7579... MORE
Jorge, N=BA GAN 5UD 136030 G would be a correct number for a '73. Engine number sounds correct too. Gerard "gerardchateau" 7555... MORE
Easiest way for me is to put a large long-handled box wrench up on the alternator pulley nut (easy to reach) and with my thumb, keep pressure on the fan belt. I've never had a problem with this method. Of course, it's easier if you also "decide" to clean the plugs at the same time, and have them out before turning :) chuck 7576... MORE
Depends on the size of pipe you use. On my 1380 I run the front timing chain cover breather linked to the front of the rocker cover then a larger bore (approx 3/4") pipe to the catch tank. It works on my engine - though I do keep it fresh with regular rebuilds. If the rings started to blow a bit I guess it might be marginal. Some racers seem to run breathers from every orifice which indicates to me that they should rebuild their engines more frequently... On a standard engine 1 breather should be fine. J "jamesbilsland"... MORE
Bob About that long ago when I raced I used Huffacker heads, pistons and some other stuff. It was a 948 and went very quickly. BTW that was Joe Huffacker senior stuff. Doug 77 Michigan "Doug Pletcher" 7564... MORE
Hi James, LOL, if he flogs the Aston then I can't inherit it !! Had considered this but want to try and achieve a "minimalist" look in the engine bay as opposed to the cats' cradle that it resembles now! Have come to the conclusion that I'll fit an oil breather filter direct to the rocker cover and then machine some plugs for the manifold, if I seal them in with something mild like thread lock I'll hopefully be able to get them out again if I ever need to........ AW "Andrew Worley @ Mi-King" 7520... MORE
Dear list, I just wanted to share with the group that I watched the F productrion SCCA national races on Speedvision this weekend and Joe Huffacker won in a great race with a beautiful Black Spridget that went like stink!!! There were quite a number of Spridgets, Spits, Fiat xi-9s, and I think a Honda in the race. Great fun. If I remember correctly, 35 years ago when I was racing, Huffacker built 1275's were the hottest thing around. Cheers, Bob in San Diego "Robert D. Gardner" 7561... MORE
OK, sorry, List friends, please be a little more patient than usual with me........, Im not dumb!!!! LOL !!!! just some "idiotness" about English language!!!! haha!!! LOL !!!! So........... -The A pillar (hinge side) driver's (US) side plate shows: GU N359287 P -The B pillar (door handle side of the door) has a larger plate with the VIN and month/year. (missing on my LBC)(just 2 clinch separated about 4 inches........) -VIN plate between the dashboard and the windscreen, shows: AR N GAN 5UD 136030 G -Cant find the one on the right hand side where the shock mounts towards... MORE
I am trying to revive my H4 S.U. carbs which have been retired to a box in the garage for the past 30 years. Since the gaskets and washers have gotten rather dried up and cracked, I am hoping to do a complete rebuild but have run into a disassembly problem. The nut holding the fuel bowl came off easily but the hollow bolt that secures the fuel bowl to the body of the carb refuses to be removed. Since there is a "fiber" washer where the bolt joins the body I assume it should be able to be... MORE
Finally !!!!!!!! GU N359287 P Its that number right for a 1973 Midget ?? Ok, now I want to go for motor one, please give me some guide......... Tks in advance!!!! Jorge Dimitrakis 1973 Midget 1275 RWA B.A. Argentine "Jorge Dimitrakis" 7491... MORE
Hi Gerard, thanks for taking the time to reply however the engine is the 1500 ('75 1500), I intend not to 100% block the vent but to fit a small pancake filter so vent may still breath even though not subject to an actual vacuum from the manifold anymore. TTFN, AW "Andrew Worley @ Mi-King" 7484... MORE
Andrew, By blocking of the vents from the engine, you run the risk of pushing oil out your rear crank seal and anywhere else it can escape. A-series engines have a fair amount of bore flex and a worn engine will have a fair amout of blow-by. The vacuum from the manifold helps manage the situation. Buy some new hoses and a PCV valve and save yourself some aggravation. Gerard "gerardchateau" 7483... MORE
Whilst we're on the subject of carbs etc would anyone be able to answer the following; I wish to ditch the take off from the rocker cover that then splits via the T-piece and plugs into the inlet manifold. Number of reasons being that the hoses are in a state and are cracked and crazed, aren't clamped at any point and I'm sure aren't helping therefore to maintain a constant mix/tune. Add to this the fact that I am also trying to "de-clutter" the engine bay. I propose to fit the cover take off with a small pancake filter,... MORE
Please be seated for a reading from the book of Horler. "Yea, for in january of 1964 was the Mk3 created. And the chassis number was HAN8 for the blessed Sprites and GAN3 for the slightly-more-porky Midgets. And there was much shouting and praising of the uprated engine and improved hood. The first HAN8 car bore the number of the beast thus; 38829. (being, in total, HAN8-38829). And so Abingdon begat spridgets until it came to pass that in late January of 1966, car number HAN8-58500 was created. Followed by 58501. And so forth unto the end of the... MORE
OK, as you all know my english language is poor one, so be patient........ The actual Vin contest makes me anxious about the real numbers of my Midget........so I started watching arround..... The car is a US spect one, buyed in California during 1999, but as you probably dont know Argentine customs use to change numbers of motor and chassis!!!! dont know really why.........(also corruption there??...ummm YES!!!! ) So I started looking where listers mentioned......and I found that the plate screwed to the frame rail below the carbs, is not there.....just two holes separated aprox: two inches.......... Cant find... MORE
It is possible that the Spitfire has a longer inlet manifold than the UK-spec 1500 Midget, as there is so much room under the bonnet of a Spit! The Midget manifold may have been made shorter to fit in the confined engine bay!! I recently bought a Head gasket set for a 1500 and the exhaust manifold to downpipe gasket had two holes in it whereas the exhaust only has a single downpipe. I assume that it was probably meant for a Spitfire...and following this assumption, it is also possible that the inlet manifold is different too. Dave "daveo138"... MORE
Well.. It depends. In the good old days they put tetra-ethy-lead in fuel to increase its octane rating. The lead also had the bonus effect that it coated the valve seats and cushioned them from the hammering the valve gives them as it opens and shuts. Consequently most car manufacturers used softer materials for the valve seats- cast iron in the case of our A-series engines. Nowdays most fuel is unleaded. Modern cars have hard valve seats which are able to take the hammering, however your 1960's technology valve seats probably cant. What happens is Valve Seat Recession- or... MORE
Paul Your car is obviously the exception that proves the rule...!! ;o)) J 1973 RWA 1380 Midget (with oil leaks from engine, gearbox and axle!!) "jamesbilsland" 7442... MORE
Rob Sorry, I'm not sure what the performance difference will be on a straight swap. When I did this on a friends car I modified the cylinder head at the same time. It was a US spec 1500 Midget that my pal bought in Texas when he lived there for a year. For sentimental reasons he brought it back to the UK. It was totally gutless with all that emissions gear, low compression head and the bloody zenith! I skimmed about .050 off the head and ported it as well as fitting the SU's (I would have preferred HS4s... MORE
The valve seats on a standard 1275 Midget head are cast iron (i.e. they are cut directly into the head). If your head has steel seats then it has had inserts fitted at some point. Any head with inserts will be suitable for use with unleaded fuel without additive. Heads without inserts run on straight unleaded will eventually suffer valve seat recession. J "jamesbilsland" 7436... MORE
