MAIN
Restoration
Previous Page | Next Page
Mike These converted Corolla rockers sound interesting. Which model (year) of Corolla are they from and how are they modified? Is this a popular mod 'down-under'? Dave dave_oneill138@... 5188... MORE
I did get my Midget on the road after three months of work. There is a problem that I wish to put before everyone. Today I checked the engine one last time and this is what I have: When I first crank it up, I get around 40 psi on the oil gauge. Once it warms up, it drops down to 5psi at idle and if I rev it up a bit, it goes to around 25 psi. I have changed the oil and filter and checked the oil pressure valve on the side of the engine, but no... MORE
I have a '59 bugeye and need help. As I suspected the trim shop that was installing my new dash broke off the temp. gauge tube at the radiator fitting. This the combination gauge that also gives oil pressure. It use to work ! Can the a break in the tube be repaired ?? Is there an outlet for a new old stock combination oil/temp gauge ?? Moss says no. do not see it in Victoria British LTD. Anyone recall Amber Ott's e-mail, the British junk yard in Columbia, SC. ? Thanks Bill French Hilton Head frenchww@... 5160... MORE
Mike Agreed - the only valid comparison would be with another car on the same RR on the same day, however throwing out bhp figures gets the conversation going.... Engine spec as follows: - 1380cc A+ 1300 Ital block, 73.5mm Omega forged pistons, EN16T Midget crank, balanced Cooper 'S' rods, ARP rod bolts, modified Midget flywheel lightened and machined to accept 7.5" AP racing clutch, crank & flywheel dynamically balanced, Kent 310 'scatter pattern' camshaft, Kent vernier duplex timing gears, steel centre main strap, Vandervell (Clevite) 'VP' main and big end bearings, baffled sump, modified race cylinder head, 11:1... MORE
Spridgeteers, I finally got my chassie primed after treating the surface rust with Oxisolve. I used self etching primer and some urethane based primer. My question is, should I have sprayed the udercoating onto the bare metal and then prime, or is it OK to spray the undercoat on the primer and then the basecoat/clearcoat over that? Any tips would be great, TimS '63 Sprite MkII Detroit, Mi "Summers, Tim" 5155... MORE
Willy Sounds like you have a Weber carb. Look on top of the carb by the fuel inlet it should say Weber. Weber is one of the best carbs in the world. Have not run one of these events in years so I don=92t know if it will run stock. Don=92t open the bonnet. Suggestions for 1st time, be smooth go f ast have fun. I would suggest you enter the event but watch the others and study how they do it before you run. Do it it=92s fun. Doug 77. "Doug Pletcher" 5153... MORE
I have bought from them no problems yet to start engine quality of work on inspection is ok and every thing looks to be as expected I have bought inlet manifold and exhaust and distributor from them so if not up to spec will be their problem and they know it - same purposeas self - I have gone for new half shafts from Peter May they look much moresubstantial and I have heard good reports - due to complete rebuild this month and run in over winter ready for next season. Peter Mays work is first class know... MORE
Try a craft or restoration specialist shop, the sort that sells picture framing materials etc. I got some there years ago for another purpose, it was a flimsy gauge, but they had all thicknesses. Margaret South Lincolnshire (UK) mmbrock88@... 5140... MORE
Hi guys, Recently found this group and love the mix of technical info, humour and complete rubbish! Used to own a '63 1098 and a '58 tuned 948 Sprite about 10 years ago. The later Sprite had an ashley hardtop and looked like nothing else on the road. Have just bought a RWA 1275cc and want to go hillclimbing on the odd weekend. Couple of questions - thinking of an Oselli engine. Anyone had any experiences? Any good alternatives? Looking for about 110bhp and will need it to be fairly driveable and reliable. Will the standard halfshafts handle that... MORE
Stuart I read somewhere on the web that you can use a Fiesta alternator which has a 65 amp output as opposed to the standard 45 ( I think) Graham Robson "Graham Robson" 5102... MORE
Hey, Ed in SD- I responded to a post you sent last week concerning oil pressures on a recently rebuilt 1500 motor in regard to being "concerned" (rather than "panicked") over the oil pressures being experienced by the lister who's post on this matter you had responded to (hope I am not confusing you, here!). I have since learned 1500 engines run slightly lower pressures than Series A motors. I apologize; you were correct. The oil pressures posted by the 1500 lister afore- mentioned are apparently no cause for concern, at all, as I thought they might be, in... MORE
I have a 79 1500 Midget "Special", but no beer cooler??? Was that standard equipment? Sounds like it should have been, enough of the beer cooler and you forget about the oil cooler anyway. John Poynton 79 Midget, Yellow Fever teachjp@... 5060... MORE
I just line the boot with a large plastic bag, put in the beer and the ice. The boot already had standard drain holes to let out the water.......don't know how cool the oil is, but I sure am....LOL "Stevens, David" 5062... MORE
Cap'n. Bob '61 :{) Oil coolers are not standard on 1500. With the ugly rubber bumper it makes it difficult to find a good location to mount it. Crummy air flow you know. Doug 77 "Doug Pletcher" 5053... MORE
You ass-u-me wrong Bob, at least as far as I know, oil coolers are not standard on 1500's - although by all acoounts they should be... ...just my 2 old english pennies worth. ST (Still with Sprite '71) "Stuart Toller" 5043... MORE
Stuart- Thanks for your message on oil coolers not being stock on 15oo's. How about that! Well, we are learning all things about 1500's these past few days, including their differences from Series A in terms of running oil pressures. I agree with you absolutely; oil coolers should be stock on 1500's. I am told by others their crankshafts/bearings could use a little help and that this is the weak point in 15oo's. Cap'n. Bob '61 :{) PilotRob@... 5045... MORE
Hi Ed in SD- Not "panic" time, Ed; "concern" time! I would agree with you if engine wasn't so "new", but I don't "know" the 1500 either, being a Series A type of guy. In a recently rebuilt Series A, assuming proper "street" clearances, I'd expect 70 cold and nothing under at least 60 hot at 3,000 revs. and these would be minimums at that, for a "new" rebuilt. Heck, my well used 1098 delivers this in 80+ degree ambient temps. and it's got nearly 50K on it (using 20-50). I assume (ass-u-me) the 1500 comes stock with an... MORE
Hi, Mike: You are the first and only person I know who has one of these! I hear now, the Company is out of business(?) or is it simply up for sale(?). Would you mind telling me something of this "modern Frogeye" such as engine and driveline spec.? What sort of gearbox and rear axle ratio has it? And, of course, your subjective opinion and feeling as to what it is like to drive as compared to, let's say, a regular Frogeye with possibly a stock 1275 or something like that, provided, of course, you've had that sort of... MORE
Cap'n. Bob '61 :{) I have about 300 miles on the new engine now. It is quite a bit quicker than before. I have not fine-tuned the timing yet will to that after a few more miles. Next time I go to the pump I will look if it=92s RON or PON I think it=92s RON. I have situation I don=92t like the oil pressure is not what I expected. At start up it=92s over 60 but as the engine heats up to 180/1 90 the oil pressure is still 60 but when the oil heats up it drops... MORE
Hello everyone I have a 1971 MG Midget that I have restored. We went to a MG car show and my wife really like the looks of the 1980 MGB LE. I have since found one and we are going to take a look at it this weekend. Anything anyone can suggest to look for? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Jason 1971 Midget 1275cc "Jason Gross" 5005... MORE
Is the starter motor drawing excessive current because it is trying to turn a seized engine?? Not a nice scenario! See if you can turn the engine by hand using the front pulley or push the car in 4th gear, maybe remove the sparkplugs to make the job easier by removing the compression, put some oil in to reduce friction once it does move. If it won't move put some more oil down the bores and leave over night, then try again. The noise in the back is the electric fuel pump presuming you have a 1275 'A' series... MORE
I didn't get many takers on my question about converting my 79 Midget from a Weber back to stock. I see the Weber (DFEV) for sale for around $250-300 (not including the manifold which I also have). Any suggestions on someone in the Sacramento area who might be interested in swapping my Weber/manifold for the labor to restore the original setup? Bill cgpiper@... 4975... MORE
I put a starter from an 88 Isuzu Impulse on my bugeye vintage racer. It worked great till the starter failed. I plan to get another one. This was a starter from a turbo car and the replacement cost is about $125. Is the Trooper starter cheaper? Anyone? "Tom and Sharon Shirley" 4970... MORE
Peter This is a common problem with fitting roller rockers. You will either have to use a machined down spacer/washer underneath the standard head nut to give the required clearance ar an aerospace type K nut with a 3/8"UNF thread but reduced external diameter. Many people run the ARP head stud kit for this reason (although sometimes you still have to reduce the o/d of the rocker post nuts). Don't change the rocker spacing (assuming that the roller tips are square over the tips of the valves....) James "James Bilsland" 4953... MORE
Hello everyone I have a 1971 MG Midget 1275 I have been seeing on some car's that are my year or right around my year that the Horn push pad has a red color around the MG logo. Mine does not have this. Has the paint just worn away? And if so how do I go about repainting this? (What color red) Thanks Jason 1971 Midget "Jason Gross" 4976... MORE
