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Brad, Berkleys are a fibre glass car (kit car) of the 60's and 70's. Originally a three wheeler, 2 at front one at back so could be driven using a motorcycle driving licence. but also a four wheeled followed. Originally Powered by Royal Enfield motorcycle engine , 2 cyl at first then 3 cylinder. Some people started modifying them and fitted mini cooper S engines etc . They were used in competition, having 3 wheels they qualify as motorcycle combinations, though Morgans with 1000cc V twin JAP engines , tend to dominate though. We have a couple in our... MORE
David Thanks for this post. I'll be getting some of that I think - that's the best way to go, primer/stone chip/top coat. I have found a paint factor that can supply the cellulose, so I'll ask them about stone chip - I'm sure they'll have some. What was interesting, and may be of interest to others on the list in the uk, contemplating a cellulose respray, is that whilst the paint factor is happy to sell/supply cellulose paint, they won't deliver it to you. Whilst this is a minor inconvenience it's not a major problem. This is because,... MORE
Steve Many thanks for that link, I did have a look and understand it now. We have something similar over here called Hammerite. Http://www.hammerite.com Which I think is a similar type of product in the sense that it can be painted directly over rust and somehow bonds with the rust - not sure how it works exactly. Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 21495... MORE
Hi Everyone, Still have major problem with no spark at plugs. Have followed all advice I recieved on here but to no avail. I had only parked her to rebuild the brake system and now the darn thing won't start. Here's what I've been reccomended from the list: Check battery cables (replaced positive side to starter solenoid) check grounds (cleaned and tighten all ground straps to engine) Check coil (have tried two new coils) Have new coil, new cap, new condenser and points and rotor, new wires, but still can only follow voltage up to distributor, no spark at... MORE
Jeremy, I checked into the recore option, and the price of having that done is over twice the amount of ordering a new one (as listed in VB). $380 to recore vs $180 to order anew from VB. Peter, Your vote of confidence for the stock radiator is well noted. With that said, and in the interest of economics, I'd be interested in hearing from anyone out there who may have purchased one from VB. Unless someone happens to have an extra that they are willing to depart with (highly unlikely), I'll have to opt for the mail order.... MORE
Based in Leeds UK I am looking for a set of 5.5 rims for Midget 1275cc I have for sale a Maniflow LCB and 1"5/8th matching exhaust system 18mths old only done 1000 miles may need new back box. Excellent system I have just gone up to 1"7/8th due to cam change and competion requirements. Offers. Advice appreciated lots of power understeer suspension lowered 1"1/2 standard rear springs 400lbs fronts 3/4 roll bar tyres 185/60 on 6" rims. Have trided slightly softer fronts nicer to drive but slower times. (Car used on road and for sprints and hill climbs.)... MORE
I now have my 1500 engine disassembled, any suggestions on a good degreaser to clean it before I paint it? Steve Quandt "Steve Quandt" 21471... MORE
Some will say you must use only motor oil as per the factory recommendation. I've been using non-synthetic 80w gear oil for many years in spite of some opinions that I will destroy my gearbox. I started using gear oil on the advise of the folks at Motorhead, who have been racing and repairing Spridgets since way back when...it shifts more smoothly and is quieter with gear oil. "Jeffrey Holmes" 21442... MORE
There are a lot of possibilities. Some of the most common have already been mentioned. Mine had similar symptoms and it turned out to be a loose connection under the dash. You might want to check all the factory connectors to make sure something has not worked or broken loose. Just because they look good doesn't mean they are. Blessings, mbh "Mark Howard" 21421... MORE
Bob, Frank, MJB, Myles, Basicly thats what I did. Put the NEW #@*& timing light away and tune the distributor by ear (rpm) and feel (rev'ing). Think I got the timing back to where it was. Need to redo the Weber as I mucked with it after I got the timing set with the "Timing Light". Decided to follow Bob's advice and have a few cool ones and tinker with it tomorrow. Thanks guys, Biff Jones '59 Bugeye 'Kermit' '61 Sprite 'Ole Gray' in "The Healey Book" '71 Midget 'Freebie' under restoration http://sprites2.homestead.com/ Sprite Spree '03 http://www.justbrits.com/spreefront.html "Biff Jones"... MORE
All, Yesterday I tried to set my timing using a 30 year old timing light that either worked or it didn't. yesterday it didn't want to work (I think I may have found the problem? read on). So today I splurged and bought a new Sears timing light, the one with the knob you can advance to check your max advance setting. I can not get the bugger to work on the number 1 wire! It works fine on the 4 & 2 wires but NADA on the number 1 &3 wires. Changed the number one wire to a... MORE
Hi, Brad...Happy Rabbit! :) Subtract .02 from cold setting for hot setting (metal expands). Fr'instance, the stock cam calls for .012 cold. After expansion, this would equal approx. .010 hot. It is interesting to note the orignal BE owner's handbook specifies .012 hot or cold! So, this is not all that critical for the stock daily driven road car, obviously! It is also interesting to note that with the stock grind, .015 cold is the number for "competition" work. Obviously, very continuously "hot" (expansion) conditions! A little more noisey rather than more quiet is the way to go according... MORE
I think you need something to give protection from stone chips. I am getting the paint shop doing my MGB to apply primer, then a stoneguard that can be painted over, then two pack top coat. Terry "terry.isherwood" 21389... MORE
Happy Easter. Well, I am contemplating up grading the performance of my Stock '59 Bugeye with the running gear from a smashed '73 RWA Midget. I would like the full story from those"in the know" and those who have completed this work. I know the performance enhancement will be great, but it is a big step to change from a Stock, Original 948. There is a lot of sole searching going on !! I. Drive Train A. Engine and Trans. 1. Move as a unit. a. Will engine and trans. mounts bolt up to orig.? b. Are there any... MORE
That is a beautiful restoration.....and I can't wait to see the Jag if those pix are ever posted...At the risk of sounding daft or sadly misinformed the convertible top seems to fit rather poorly over the doors......It would seem to me that the ragtop should fit better than that, with the rest of the car being so beautiful. I am sure that someone will set me straight. Thanks in advance. Dave in NY David A. Stevens Jr. Utilities Engineer II NYS Office Of General Services Sheridan Avenue Steam Plant 79 Sheridan Avenue Albany, NY 12210 "Stevens, David" 21385... MORE
Hi guys I'm edging ever nearer to the stage when I'll be working on the underside of the Midget. The question of whether to apply underseal to the underside is one that very much has me in two minds, and I'm interested in what other people's views are on this. The choice is to, prime and topcoat the underside and leave it at that, or prime, topcoat and underseal the underside. There are pluses and minuses for both. Leaving the underside as a topcoat in my mind looks nicer, and also allows you to see any damage and fix... MORE
Here is what the shop that is repainting mine is going to do to the underside. Paint with two Coats of POR, (Paint Over Rust), then spray on two coats of black truck bed liner as the undercoater. They say this will resist chips etc better that an undercoater. "Steve Quandt" 21370... MORE
Capn I agree it's a beautiful restoration, the panel gaps are perfect. It'll look even better once he puts on the headlamp rims :) Is that an OE petrol cap? Doesnt look like it to me. Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 21354... MORE
Amazing restoration photos, by one of our Dutch friends try this link http://www.xks.nl/kikker.htm The tail lights are from the XJ120 he's going to restore next wait until all pics are loaded and see the last couple. Alan "alan.east-jones" 21331... MORE
"Well, it's not BE silver, is it?" Negatron, Nigel, but while not original color it sure is beautiful, though. Don't know how good it will look with the stock chrome hubcaps? Needs wheels or a wheel "treatment" of some sort to provide "contrast"....sorta "set-off" the silver....I mean the red Cherry Bomb or Thrush just isn't gonna do it!! Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 21352... MORE
Very nice. But spoilt by the unoriginal paint colour in my mind. Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 21334... MORE
He's not going to be doing this, I am. Any special tools needed and could you explain what the "tape" is? Or, is this covered in the Haynes Restoration book that I have? "Virginia" 21333... MORE
Rob... A PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve was used on the '67 engine and on some '68's as well which incorporated other "clean up" systems. This establishes a vacuum or crankcase vapor "flow" system wherein air is taken into the crankcase via a "filtered" oil cap ("graduated orifice") and crankcase vapors are drawn into the combustion chamber via the PCV valve (another "graduated orifice") mounted on the intake manifold which is fed from a tube/hose attached to the "flame arrester" on the timing case cover on the front of the engine. Later modification of the system fed crankcase vapors... MORE
Gorgeous, Alan... What color is that? Looks like a Dove Gray? The Jag is gonna be a handful, eh? :) Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 21338... MORE
Gorgeous, Alan... What color is that....looks like a Dove Gray? The Jag is gonna be a handful, eh? :) Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 21337... MORE
