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Don There are probably others out there who are more expert than I, but if the fulcrum pin (which should be threaded) is worn, or more importantly the female threads which it screws into are worn, then you really need to use a re-conditioned wishbone (lower link?), or perhaps better, a new one. I don't know what the supply of these components is like stateside. My experience has been that if the swivelpin/kingpin is well greased it will last for a very long time. The problem is that the Fulcrum pin is greased from one end as supplied from... MORE


And incidentally, Sam... I just heard from Paul Asgeirsson of Morriservice who also does Datsun 5 speed conversions. While I knew he handled the cables he also, evidently, has the capability to match the speedo to the gearing, whether stock or modfied with respect to accurate speedo readings, a fact I was not previously aware of. Paul Asgeirsson Morriservice Portland, OR 503-978-3998 Cap'n. Bob (Ret'd) '60 Frog PilotRob@... 19828... MORE


One Hundred Million Miles? Man, they don't build like this any more, for sure!! Like the flares and the shiny metallic paint, though!! Can't really see the wheels that well. Reminds me of my souped PO'd '74 Midget. Cap'n. Bob (Ret'd) '60 Frog PilotRob@... 19806... MORE


Dave Jacobs..."Damask/Burgundy" I think you are correct, Dave. Damask I believe, was the color of my '67 Sprite, I was looking up colors off one of Gerard's links off his site to find the correct name for "purple" at it might have applied to Don May's recently acquired purple '74 Spridget, when I came upon the color "Burgundy"......looked the same as the color on my '67 as far as I could tell. Cap'n. Bob (Ret'd) '60 Frog PilotRob@... 19795... MORE


"A wooden dash done right...." Very true, Rob Webb....you gotta watch the "grounds", though! Leaf Green, guy, as shown on Gerard's and Ed's sight. Every other color on the car contrasts well with Leaf Green and it's a very easy color to work with. Doesn't really show ordinary grime and dust so easily and cleans up nicely. Oil Temp: You're the second lister to say basically the same thing. Another wrote that his oil temp gauge has matched his coolant temp gauge since God knows when.... according to him they never really differ to any great extent at all.... MORE


Don May's '74 Purple people eater: "Aconite"...that's it!! Couldn't read it off the color chart...it sits to the right of Burgundy for that year's colors. Cap'n. Bob (Ret'd) '60 Frog PilotRob@... 19783... MORE


Check out this site for photos of the various color cars and the years the color was used. I would say what is called Damask is what we would call Burgundy in the US. Don . "Don May" 19791... MORE


Thanks Jim, I did have the concern it might be hiding rust but when I removed it to check it was not, however it had caused a few very small spots from trapping the moisture and where its mounting screw holes had been drilled. The car as I bought it is yellow however the original factory color I see under the hood and trunk interior indicates it was the purple called "Aconite" The PO seemed to like aftermarket trim . . . hence the vinyl/cloth seat upholstery/door panels, black wheel edge trim (also happy to find it was not... MORE


My new 74 has an aftermarket stainless steel trim plate where the original black strip with the Midget logo was. My question is . . . was the original black trim a plastic/metal plate or just black paint? Sure looking forward to the next British car show here in the bay area as it would be nice to actually see a 72-74 rwa for real other than the one I have with its aftermarket trim. I am not that fond of the original black trim strip . . . nor the stainless steel one. Don "Don May" 19771... MORE


Sounds like you're going to need everything in the major rebuild kit, and maybe some more, like wheel bearings and possibly some work on the steering rack. Slack at the steering wheel could be just a matter of the clamp bolt where the steering shaft connects to the rack being loose. I've seen just that on two previous Spridgets. "Jeffrey Holmes " 19748... MORE


Ok...the time has come! I installed a normal sized (matches) boost gauge in my wood panel for the Judson Supercharge which for various good reasons is no longer an application under serious consideration. So, it's time to remove the boost gauge and fill the hole in the panel with something useful, like and oil temperature gauge, fr'instance. I was going to install one of those cool vacuum gauges like Frank Clarici has in his Mk1 but, alas, can't find one around. (Perhaps I should cross the GW bridge one night and weasel....nah....he's got that attack cat!) Nisonger has the... MORE


Greetings, I'm trying to get a Midget back on the road. I haven't tore apart the front suspension yet, but the passenger's side has about 5 degrees of camber (or zero if you pull on the top of the tire) and there is some play in the steering wheel. Should I tear the suspension apart and replace only the visibly worn items, or should I go ahead and order a "major suspension rebuild" kit from Mo$$, and replace steering components as needed. The car is not overly rusty, but it is a 1970 with 93,000 miles. Thanks for any... MORE


Listers, Somewher I heard a rumor that one of the "original" factory lightweight MGC GTSs would be at The 12 Hours of Sebring this year. Has anybody else heard this? If so, is it really true. I hope it is true as this may be the one and only time I get to see and photograph one of these legends in person. Tad R. Orlando, FL 69 MGC GT 74 RWA Midget "richard rivenbark" 19725... MORE


Stanley, As I understand it, the original Datsun engine was modelled closedly on the A-series, hence the datsun gearbox fits to the A-series engine without too much modification. In theory, you could fit one to a 1500 but you would need to modify or reconstruct the bellhousing to match the 1500 backplate. The triumpf gearbox is the same as the MG one, but with a Laycock overdrive fitted, so will bolt direct to the MG 1500 engine. The Ford gearbox has a seperate cast alloy bellhousing which can be unbolted and replaced with a "special" to match whichever engine... MORE


Mr. Holmes. First, I find your comment comparing me to your dog very offensive. Second , I stand by what I said. The ORIGINAL (my capitals) 1920's method w as to Copper plate, then Nickel plate, then Chrome plate. Third, I state that the "Final finish is dependant of the preparation". I consider better press tooling and probably the use of more malleable or duc tile steel is part of the preparation for massed produced parts. For one off restoration of corroded parts then I still insist that the fina l finish is dependant on the preparation Fourth, I... MORE


Stanley, Think seriously about using the Spitfire/ GT6 overdrive gearbox. It will transform the car. Downside is it will require cutting out the cross frame and other modifications but it is nice to drive with a switchable overdrive ratio in a 1500. There are at least 2 detailed explanations "out there" on the web .... mine and someone else's ..... Larry?..... Guy "Guy Weller" 19710... MORE


I think the only 5 speed for the 1500 is a Ford Sierra box. I don't believe they are available in the US and even then they require mods to the tunnel cross member and tunnel width. Brent "Brent Wolf" 19709... MORE


Jeepers, Alan, Where should I start? 6 to 8 thou thick? No. The very highest quality specs, ASTM Service Condition 5, for severe corrosive environments exposure (that means , for example exterior ship parts), requires .0012" total thickness. The British Standard is identical. Chrome plating is porous? In a pig's eye. Buff the nickel after plating? Not since the days of high button shoes. The production of mirror bright nickel in the as-plated condition has been standard practice since the 40s. Polish the chrome after plating? Never. My Gawd man, how many polishers do you think FoMoCo would have... MORE


Good morning Bob, Chrome plating is porous, yes it lets water through to the metal below. If the base metal was not properly prepared then the rust will come through. Also If the chrome plate is very thin then the surface rust on the steel shows up very soon. If its thicker then the surface rust can spread under the chrome and you don't notice it so much so soon. Depends on where they got the bits from. I remember talking to a guy about when I was doing up the MGB GT the original bumpers weighed a hell... MORE


Interesting, Alan! The new replacement BE chrome rear bumperettes I get just rust on the top within two years, though the car stays covered and unused in ice, snow or salt and each bumperette has 3 billion coats of wax upon it. This time they are coming off and I am not getting new ones again....I've had it. Maybe Austin-Healey Spares carry's a better product??? Are you there, Ed?? Where are you, Ed? Bob to Ed, "over".... Cap'n. Bob (Ret'd) '60 Frog PilotRob@... 19677... MORE


Nigel... Let me tell you something, I wish to hell it was possible to run a Judson on today's unleaded premiums. I worked my tail off for 2 years to get this to work as did a buddy of mine who lives in Holland. Have been a member of the Judson List for more than a few years now. Based upon the promise of Delrin vanes from the USA Judson rebuilder, I even had my new Rivergate engine "tailored" for this blower. That's how much I was into this application. I figured with self- lubricating vanes, 2 stroke synthetic... MORE


Hi, Nigel... This Judson is the American counterpart to the British Shorrocks back in the days when 100+RON leaded gasolines were readily available at the corner pump at reasonable prices. Neither of these "low pressure" supercharger applications were designed for anything but "temporary" boost operation. They are "torque" rather than "HP" applications...."stoplight drags" rather than "track", "temporary" operation rather than "constant" operation. Both were designed as bolt on intallations involving no more than a change to colder spark plugs, the idea being to temporarily superimpose a 6 psi boost curve upon the stock ignition advance curve for a temporary... MORE


No sweat. By the time you also rebuild the trans, diff, suspension, electrics and brakes, that engine rebuild will be only a small part of the cost :-) "Jeffrey Holmes " 19635... MORE


Are you going to restore it stock (concourse), or personal enjoyment? Are you doing a "frame off" (every nut & bolt removed, cleaned or replaced) restoration, or running/simi-running car and you are going through it a little at a time? If you are going concourse, you should find out if it is the original engine. (BMHT can give you the serial numbers) If you are, and it is original, you might want to have it rebuilt. If not, the 1275 does make a very nice upgrade for a Bugeye. Disc brakes, 5 speed, 3.90 rear end, are also nice.... MORE


About 2-3 months ago, there was a hardtop on ebay and he had it on a "cart" similar to the ones you see/use at home improvement stores. Low flat cart with 4 rollers and a couple of bars that came up to support the top. The top stood with the front edge down with a bar on the inside and outside of the top. Entering/Exiting car. My car is a Bugeye with a hardtop, I'm 6'2", 230 lbs and I use a modified version of the previous posts for getting in and out. Right leg in first, sit, Duck... MORE