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Chris, I ran 175s on my 65 Sprite and during the rebuild I noticed some rubbing on the inner wheel well. A Panhard rod would probably solve this, but it might be due to weak rear springs and very old rubber bushing! I never replaced them, might even be original looked pretty bad when I removed them a while back. Polyurethane will go back in. Martyn meastwood1@... "Martyn Eastwood" 6102... MORE
Aye Cap'n Bob. Good luck with your shocks. I'm looking for advice on tires. I'm currently running Firestone 560 sized 155R13. Does anyone know if 175/70/13 will fit a 1/4 elliptic spring squarebody on stock wheels? Mike schicmg@... 6092... MORE
Its very easy to fit tube shocks to the rear and it really makes a difference. If you are on a tight budget then you can easily fabricate your own upper mounting plates and fit a pair of standard front shock absorbers from a mini. ben.brown@... 6073... MORE
Hi there " schicmig@... "- Am interested in your rear suspension set-up as you described the ride as very good. I run a stock suspension set-up on my '61 Frog daily driver except for tube shocks all around (GasAdjust KR2), 3/4 front bar and panhard rod, utilizing 5.5" Westerns on 175/70 T/A's. The ride is a little harsh in the back and I've been thinking of different adjustable shocks to "soften" the rear ride. Are Carrera's two-way (bounce and rebound) and single adustable. What setting are you running on your Carrera's and what setting would you recommend for normal... MORE
I searched for poly rear bushings and came up empty. So I fashioned nylon bushings for my '62 1/4 spring car, which improved handling, particularly reducing bump steer by locating the axle. However, the improvement was short lived. The stock radius arms were not up to the extra duty as they both sheared during a parking lot autocross. Fun while it lasted! I installed Winners Circle adjustable links with rod ends and was already running WC Carrera adjustable shocks. Stock bump steer has returned, but will be corrected with a minimania panhard bar. Overall ride is very good and... MORE
Hi I have a '61 Sprite I'm just getting started with. Just got in to this group as well. Though I'm not a beginner at cars, I am at Sprites. So this group will come in handy, I'm sure. BTW Do have a number or web address for NOSIMPORTS? I am going to need some rebuilt shocks. Thanks Perry perryr@... 6068... MORE
I feel compelled to point out that the rocker panels are structural- if they are repaired there is only one way to do it- weld in new steel. The fact that so many spridgets drive about with bondo in the sills is testament to how over-engineered they are. Expanding foam filler doesnt 'keep the water out' it actually traps water inside. Some early Minis had foam injected into the sills (rockers) at the factory- they quickly rusted out, and the practice was rapidly abandoned. Bondo may be an acceptable solution when the car is old and worthless, and the... MORE
Hey Rick I just did mine last month, It is pretty simple 1. you unbolt the old stock shocks 2. you bolt on the supplied mounting plate to the old position of the old shocks (They only send 2 new bolts in the kit so I went out and pick up 4 new bolts and wahsers just incase) 3. this is were I got stuck a little, you then have to swap from pass to driver side the plate that the u-bolts go through that hold the leaf springs to the axle. and when you put them on make... MORE
Jim Rogers: Can't help you on lowering the back end of your Frog, however, the "proper" attitude for the stock bugeye is slightly "tail high", anyway. The rear springing on a stock Frog is pretty stiff to begin with, really. Unless you want a truly "teeth rattling" ride (and a pounding which cannot do the structure of the "daily driver" much good, assuming "normal" public roads), I'd recommend new, stock rubber bushings and trailing arms. Really, it's already a very "stiff" set-up back there, bone stock, which resulted in pretty good oversteer with the stock car (which can be... MORE
Well so far, so good. I am still trying to get the right balance of crankcase vacuum to manifold pressure to stop the oil leak. At this time, it drips about 4 good drops when parked and I think I am getting it to be less. As a last resort I will pull the engine and re-seal the rear seal. A question I would like to ask is if anyone has modified their cars to use tube shocks. I see there are kits for this modification, but I want some good first hand advice before spending that kind of... MORE
I've pulled off the rear end & suspension from my '63 Sprite parts car for use on my Bugeye rebuild. Currently cleaning & disassembling all the parts, but have a couple of questions for the Lists before I start reassembling. 1) Should the bushings in the 1/4 springs & the radius arms be replaced with polyurethane? If so, who sales them? - I haven't seen them in the VB or M*ss catalogues. 2) The front end will be 1" lower, so I would like to lower the rear by about 1/2" to 1". If I remember previous discussions correctly... MORE
I think you will find that BTA548 is the part number of the diff housing. The M&G International parts book lists the diff housing assembly (complete with caps) as BTA549. The other part numbers you mention are for the complete assemblies with crownwheels & pinions, etc. There is a small flat on top of the diff housing (about 11 o'clock) which has stamped on it the number of teeth on the crownwheel and pinion - i.e. 9/38 for 4.22, 10/39 for 3.9. You will need to scrape off the accumulated crud and view it with a torch/flashlight and a... MORE
I need a new battery for my bugeye (1098 engine), and given some of the things that the last owner did to my car, I'm reluctant to just go out and buy the same thing. I just want to get a standard battery from Kragen or Sears. I've had good luck with Exide batteries, but don't know if they make one the right size for a Sprite. Anyone have suggestions about size and brand. Thanks rlirwin@... 6020... MORE
Hi, I am new to the list. I have a 78 midget which is solid despite the ugly paint, so I am in the process iof getting it ready to paint. I am getting ready to remove the door locks on my midget, but I am having a bit of trouble wioth the door locks. The manual gives little clear info, can anyone help. Vince Gulley "Cox-internet" 6009... MORE
All the base pad is is a rubber pad that sit's between the plate and the paint on the door. You will have to order a plate for the mirror to sit on. the 165 - 630 Good Luck Jason "Jason Gross" 5976... MORE
I'm looking for an MG Club in the south area of Florida. Palm Beach, Ft Lauderdale, or Miami would be great. Also, is there anyone that lives in the south Florida area in this group. I'm looking for help with my Midget's restoration. Thanks, Rich Rich '77 Midget http://home.att.net/~sagredo/mg.htm Michael's Page http://home.att.net/~sagredo "Richard Sagredo" 5966... MORE
I know this made the list a couple of years ago...but it's worth revisiting . As we all know, the proper tool for the proper job is the best choice. =A0Please refer to the chart below for each tools proper use. HAMMER: Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is used as a kind of divining rod to locate expensive parts not far from the object we are trying to hit. MECHANIC'S KNIFE: Used to open and slice through the contents of cardboard cartons delivered to your front door; works particularly well on boxes containing seats... MORE
Chris Neggars: Far as I know, Spridgets went to a 3.7 here, in USA, in 1977; prior they were 3.9. Don't know of any 3.5 stock Spridgets though this ratio is offered by Victoria British, etc. I am currently using a 3.7 from a "late" USA Spridget in my stock 1098 engined Frog, hooked up to a 210 5 speed. Turns 65 @ 3K on 175/70's. Cap'n. Bob '61 :{) PilotRob@... 5935... MORE
Hi, Dave- Yep, that is what I meant! I have decided to use the Latin "i" as plural for the English "es"; as in "stewardi" instead of "stewardesses" (see how cumbersome "stewardesses" sounds and "feels" as compared to "stewardi"?) It's a good thing I am such a brain, David! Getting back to boxi, fellow listers have been talking about "smoothcase" and "ribcase" Series A transmissions as being suitable for 1500 Spridgets. Not knowing much, if anything about 1500's, I was under the impression that these cars were powered by Spitfire engines hooked up to Spitfire gearboxes, as supplied stock.... MORE
Tim Summers- New, rebuilt A frames at a reasonable price? I'm interested!! Incidentally, I agree with Allen on the "extra" grease fitting for more thorough lubrication of area in question; had this done on my Frog when converting to discs upon original purchase based upon many years of previous experience with Spridgets. Cap'n. Bob '61 :{) PilotRob@... 5923... MORE
I drove my Midget for over 45 miles today and enjoyed every bit of it. Well at least until my oil pressure gauge dropped to ZERO while zipping along at 50 mph. The problem was not too bad as the line from the block to the gauge split an it was squirting oil everywhere. After pinching off the line, I was able to get the auto parts store and purchase a kit and fix it. The oil pressure does pretty good as it idles at 55 psi cold and 35 psi hot with it being at 45 psi at... MORE
I am currently restoring a Mk2a Sprite with 1098 engine, the car came with two gearboxes, 1 smooth case 1 rib case, which box is better (stronger, better ratios etc) as that is the box I will rebuild any info would be appreciated. Thanks Tim Trenwith Melbourne Australia EOM NOTICE - This message and any attached files may contain information that is confidential and/or subject of legal privilege intended only for use by the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, be advised that you... MORE
Tim, I don't usually say much on this channel but I am interested in your restoration. I have a 1975 1500 Midget I am working on. I've got it to the point that it's drivable but there is a lot more to be done. I found out from the first drive that my tranny has seen better days. I picked up a '79 for parts and got a good tranny out of it that I plan to install this winter. Ultimately, I want to install a 5 speed for traveling with my better half. The 5 speed swaps I've... MORE
The usual culprit is a worn out clutch release bearing- the carbon is probably worn down enough that the brass carrier is pressing on the clutch release surface. You can inspect the release bearing through the clutch release lever hole- you'll need a flashlight. The carbon block should protrude from the carrier at least a couple of millimetres. The other possibility is worn out crankshaft thrust bearings- with the engine running, watch the front crankshaft pulley as your beautiful assistant pushes the clutch pedal- if you see the pulley move forwards, then its engine rebuild time. My money's on... MORE
Frank among others should be able to relate to this.,, The Modern Toolbox Hammer - In ancient times a hammer was used to inflict pain on ones enemies. Modern hammers are used to inflict pain on oneself. Screwdriver - The drink ordered at the local bar after you call in a professional repairman to undo the $500 in damage you did while trying to change out a light socket with your handy screwdriver. Phillips Screwdriver - The bar drink that you order when the damage estimate is over $1,000. Contains twice the vodka. Pliers - A device used to... MORE
