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Jeremy, A couple of source suggestions for your bushes. Both have on-line ordering and catalog request. Victoria British www.victoriabritish.com or The Winners Circle 1387 Sloane Ave. Lakewood, OH 44107 216-222-4666 Of the two, Winners Circle is more likely to be of help. They are primarily racers and can get hold of a lot of stuff that isn't found elsewhere including used. Hope this provides some clues. Rob Coxworth Batavia, IL 1975 Midget (that frustrates the hell out of me) robbiesg@... 22670... MORE
They do settle but are still a bit hoppy. I have some orginal springs that I'm going to make a pair out of one of these days. It's interesting that the racers use softened not stiffened springs. "Jeremy Cogman" 22665... MORE
Hia Ken, I agree with what Capn Bob had to say, just a couple of points that have not been raised. 1. You mention high ratio rockers (1.5 to 1) are you talking about roller rockers or standard type rockers with the higher ratio??? see below as to why i ask. As C Bob said not that much of a performance gain, but one of the main reasons to fit roller rockers is to cut down the side loadings on the valve when using high lift camshafts. The other point is what you consider to be a road cam... MORE
Bill... I do not know what combination was offered by the factory but, you can't go wrong with one of the darker factory colors offered....I personally think it would look beautiful with Mallard Green or one of the darker British Racing Greens offered by the factory over time. When the interior of my PO'd '74 was autumn leaf, I chose a MAACO metallic "medium" blue. It contrasted beautifully with the interior which I eventually converted to black. Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 22596... MORE
Very reasonable...Jim Lodder. Alternatively, I can check out in, then rent an airplane that could do this. Let's see, we'd need something that could carry a Spridget, yet had good forward speed? I'll work on this but, rough calculations suggest this roll bar installation "by air" would amount to a little more than 10,000US. Not unreasonable for a once in a life time installation!! He's got Mastercard? :) Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 22548... MORE
How about the Californian gets flown to London to meet Jeremy who drives him about Great Britain for a week before we meet up with Jim who carries the tool box as we all fly back to San Francisco where of course I will have to show them around for a week or so before we take the roll bar to Texas to install it. Naturally Jeremy and Jim will have to see the sights of Austin. I will rent a car, drive them to see New Orleans where they catch a plane back to London. I will visit... MORE
Does anyone have any idea where I might find a roll bar for a '63 Sprite? I'm not going racing or anything like that, I'm just trying to recreate the look of a car that I had in college. I'd like to be able to put the top up if I have to.(though I haven't yet) Everything I've seen is for later models. Also, Colin, if you're out there, did I mention that the master cylinder had already been re- sleeved and the rebuild kit worked fine? Thanks for the info. Thanks, Jack Texas "austinbud2002" 22541... MORE
HI Jack, I have one that I removed from my 63 MK1 which to the best of knowledge would be the same as for the 63 Sprite. Check group photos in folder "Don May" to see my 63 before I took the roll bar off. Is that what you remember yours looking like? Have no idea where you would find a new one. Perhaps someone else on the list will. The top does fit over it. Should you not find one locally contact me off list an perhaps we can work something out. Not sure how a person goes... MORE
Eeg... Gasoline over here is rated at the pump with a pump octane number (PON) instead of research octane number (RON). Basically, adding 3 numbers to PON will give you a "rough" RON #, according to my mechanic. If any one knows more about this or has other information which can shed further light upon the subject, please chime in! :) So, our "regular" over here is 87PON Our "mid" is 89PON Our "hi" is either 91,92, or 93PON depending on brand. Generally I guess it's 92. I use Cities Service - their "hi-test" is 93PON or approx. 96RON... MORE
David, surprised that you havn't come across this stuff - its been around for years. Locktight make a range of these engineering adhesives. The common one is a blue fluid used extensively to stop nuts vibrating loose, but they also make several grades of adhesive for associated applications. One such is designed for fitting bearings and typical purpose would be to prevent an outer race turning in its housing (eg for wheel hubs) This is what I used for the 1500 thrust washers. I don't know if it made a difference but it was easier than pinning and I... MORE
Hi, Bill.... Ok....we don't know what sort of a rebuild job was done on the engine. Judging by the "tone" of the contents of your mail, probably not a very concientious one with respect to assembly anyway, it seems. That "scroll" rear engine area needs pretty close tolerancing as well as siliconing of the half moon gaskets back there or it will leak to one extent or another I am told, even on a new engine producing minimal blow-by. Speaking of which....what sort of shape is the engine in (mechanically speaking) in this respect? Compression, leakdown, etc.? "Blue" exhaust?... MORE
Limerock Park... The Secret Valley of Racing on now! :) Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 22130... MORE
Yes, Bob!!! You can make more backfiring noise by further leaning out the mixture beyond what it "should be", but I wouldn't recommend it!! :):) Many years ago, we used to "blast out" a muffler to get more of this, as well. "Backing-off" exhaust sounds were considered mandatory if you wanted to be considered "cool". Of course, the muffler wears out in this respect over time and use but....we didn't wanna wait! The car had to sound "cool"....today......NOW!! Find a long hill and shut off the ignition while allowing the car to go down the hill while remaining in... MORE
Yes, Bob!!! You can make more backfiring noise by further leaning out the mixture beyond what it "should be", but I wouldn't recommend it!! :):) Many years ago, we used to "blast out" a muffler to get more of this, as well. "Backing-off" exhaust sounds were considered mandatory if you wanted to be considered "cool". Of course, the muffler wears out in this respect over time and use but....we didn't wanna wait! The car had to sound "cool"....today......NOW!! Find a long hill and shut off the ignition while allowing the car to go down the hill while remaining in... MORE
G'day guys Isn't a bit of healthy debate a great thing? The usual reason for sloppy wheels, even after new ball bearing races have been fitted, is wear in the hub where the outer part of both bearings seat. Even a few thousandths of an inch of wear (due to previous bearings being loose, or the outer ring slipping) will mean that the balls aren't correctly seating on the radial face of the outer race - they are being held apart by the cast iron inner spacer. As little as .005" can make the difference between a loose wheel... MORE
G'day all The matter of Timken (or any other brand) of tapered roller bearing, vs the original ball bearing races, seems to have raised it's head again. For some strange reason, tapered roller bearings seem to have been blessed with the "superior" tag. Well, in some ways, they are. But in some ways they are not. Now it took a bearing technician about 10 minutes and a few drawings to explain the "effective axle load bearing width" or some such thing, and why tapered rollers can be inferior to angular contact ball bearings. So I will not try to... MORE
Dear Dave, I just installed a set of Timken rollers in my '75 using '79 hubs from a donor car. Had no difficulty whatsoever and they roll very well. Like you I was advised not to use the distance piece. The distance piece can be used with this setup but is requires some special tools/techniques and is generally only used by racers. If you don't want to give up on better bearings I can foward the Timken numbers. Rob C '75 Midget, McGee robbiesg@... 22026... MORE
There is a company in Kentucky called Rivergate ( http://www.rivergate5speed.com ) that sells a Datsun B210 5-speed transmission conversion kit for midgets. I bought one from these guys and they *really* know what they are doing. I highly recommend you contact these guys and ask them about an engine conversion. If anyone can help you, they can. I have the 5-speed in my 73 Midget and it is WONDERFUL! These vuys race Midgets for a living so they know them inside-out. Good luck! -Tom "tmruwart" 22015... MORE
G'day Tom etc I support David's comments. Water vapour will still enter the braking system, it just will not dissolve in the Dot 5 fluid, so it pools at the lowest point. I used Dot 5 in my restored race car 7 years ago, simply because I didn't want to see all the paint blistering off all the newly painted parts when we first tried to bleed the system. And of course I was told that it would not absorb water. I gotta admit that I forgot the yearly routine of bleeding the entire system (thanks, Cap'n Bob) until... MORE
Evan, Sorry to hear about your pulley incedent. Glad you weren't out in the middle of nowhere. I don't know of anyone who makes a one piece pulley but maybe you could find one from a company that sells MG racing parts? I can probably round up a spare oem pulley if you want to go back that route. Let me know. It was good having you bring your car Saturday. It's certainly refreshing to see what can be done to a Midget when one wants to "enhance" the sporting nature of these little cars! JR - the orange... MORE
Really, Hammondale.... While I was "fried" mentally years ago, (you may have noticed along with others) I should have physically been long gone 40 years ago, at least! When I grew up you could drink in NY at 18 while here in CT it was 21.... Stamford is within 1/2 hour of the border just west. I ran with the college prep crowd. We drove Frogeyes, MGA's, TR's, AH's a Porsche or two and one gorgeous white XKE owned by a buddy, John Sirmons, who eventually went on to race Formula. Anyway, we always took the back roads. Unbelievable...I... MORE
Pierce Manifolds, Gilroy, CA (www.piercemanifolds.com) is the manufacturer for Moss and all the others who sell these. They'll sell direct to you and even give you some telephone help setting it up. Okay on a race car, but why you'd want one on the street, I don't know. Fiddly to tune, noisy as Hell, weak bottom end, and makes no more HP than a single 1 3/4 SU or a pair of 1 1/2 SUs. "Jeffrey Holmes" 21866... MORE
Try your speed shops anyone involved in racing should carry it. We raced go Karts for years and that's all we never used was Dot 4 I have only had to order it once, and that was just from an auto supply store. Check to see if someone building race Karts or cars in your area and they can probably tell you where to buy it. "Don" 21833... MORE
Bentley look like they are the cars to beat this year, shame it's now an Audi brand though the chassis are British. We would normally go but cash is a bit tight this year it's a trip to Le Mans or a deposit on a new heating system. A good source for all the latest info and chat is www.clubarnage.com. If you can ever come over to Europe at that time the race is well worth attending. The atmosphere is fantastic. There are ususally tens of thousands of brits there many of whom drive down in either classics or... MORE
After being unable to play in this forum for some time I have rejoined and am again ready to trade info or whatever on my British obsession. FYI-My particular pain is a 1975 Midget 1500. When purchased nearly 4 years ago only the body showed signs of hope. Hell, it even smelled bad. Today the car has a new interior, engine, tranny, driveshaft, radiator, electronic ignition, rebuilt/replaced hydraulics, front tube shock conversion, electric fan, GM pickup truck alternator and much more. Saturday, I am ditching my wire wheels and replacing them with 5.5 inch wide racing mags (H Production... MORE
