MAIN

Restoration

 1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5  |  6  |  7  |  8  |  9  |  10  |  11  |  12  |  13  |  14  |  15  |  16  |  17  |  18  |  19  |  20  |  21  |  22  |  23  |  24  |  25  |  26  |  27  |  28  |  29  |  30  |  31  |  32  |  33  |  34  |  35  |  36  |  37  |  38  |  39  |  40  |  41  |  42  |  43  |  44  |  45  |  46  |  47  |  48  |  49  |  50  |  51  |  52  |  53  |  54  |  55  |  56  |  57  |  58  |  59  |  60  |  61  |  62  |  63  |  64  |  65  |  66  |  67  |  68  |  69  |  70  |  71 

Previous Page | Next Page

If you go to the 'co.uk' rather that .com address you don't need a yahoo ID to login: http://www.egroups.co.uk/group/midgetsprite Your email and old password will work. I don't know how this effects members who joined after the Yahoo takeover - try it out I suppose . . This is all a mystery to me as well as you . . it appears that the co.uk version has not been Yahoo'd! Chris 'The Mod' "Chris Nevard" 2771... MORE


Hi all, I'm going to be working on my Midget this weekend (and looking forward to it), new brake discs and Halogen lamps, mainly to pass an MOT. However, my car has no radio aerial and I'd like to know where the standard fitting position is. Also, does anyone know what the standard fit radio is on a 1980. I think mine is a Hitachi with pushbuttons for the band selection and knobs for tuning and volume. Cheers Jim. jim.wyper@... 2748... MORE


Thanks James. I only have 2 inches of tube left that goes into the block and the inside of the block feels smooth so it must be in the sump. I'll try to see if I've got any comeback with the company that "rebuilt" the engine for me before I start taking it to bits. It concerns me though what else they've done a short cut on with the rebuild if they didn't bother with such an obvious and easy component. Mark. "Mark Hipwell" 2745... MORE


ok - so I've just finished my 500 mile running in and I'm just changing the oil when disaster strikes (i think) ... the plastic dip stick tube has come away from the block and it looks like it has snapped off inside the engine. Does anyone know how long the dip stick tube is supposed to be on a 1098? I imagine the other half of the tube has dropped into the sump somewhere but I'm not that keen on breaking all the oil seals on my newly reconditioned engine. What really bugs me is that the tube... MORE


Ooops - I failed to read Paul's final sentence properly... 22 degrees total advance (v a connected or disconnected) is mega safe territory and suggests (as Graham says) a modified dizzy (so I guess you're running the Aldon already?). Run the engine in, replace the head gasket and get it rolling road tuned as previously suggested. regards James "James Bilsland" 2679... MORE


All, thanks for all the suggestions ... only just replaced all the gearbox stuff - previous owner had put the clutch in back to front so it was one of the first things I did. The timing chain is part of the rebuild so that should be ok. Gearbox mounts look sound. Oil cooler sounds tempting but that would delay getting the car back on the road and I'm itching to drive the thing. Fitted a new clutch slave cylinder only a couple of months ago so that should be ok. Radiator and hoses & thermostat are all new.... MORE


Outcast. A 37 year old Glenmorangie - i'll have a glass please !!! The only comment I would make on your tips is that if you have just rebuilt an engine today using new manufactured parts and modern machining methods then it should be to far tighter tolerances and should give a better than new perfomance. Your suggestions on running in still sound good to me. An echo from the past? Graham Robson grday@... on 18-07-2001 22:32:24 Please respond to midgetsprite@yahoogroups.com To: midgetsprite@yahoogroups.com cc: Subject: [midgetsprite] Running In Hi Group, In the dark old days when I was a... MORE


Paul The manual settings for ignition timing only work on unmodified engines. You have to set the total advance on an modified engine. Adjustable timing lights are available at most Halfords stores - get one (today!). Set the timing at 26 degrees total advance (If you are running vaccuum advance disconnect it and plug the hole in the manifold/carb). 11.1 CR will work using super unleaded fuel or LRP - you just have to retard the ignition (and the ignition 'curve' hence the advice you have received to get an Aldon dizzy). I am aware of the 'multiple head... MORE


Peter I ran 1.5 roller on my hot 1380. Ditched in favour of standard setup to just take the edge of the 286 cam which was a bit frantic for road use. However red mist moments mean i am thinking of putting them back on....runs fine with either set up in road trim. Flat out racing 6000k + etc would be roller country for sure. Hope this helps (sure it doesn't!) Mike M North London mike643mnp@... 2673... MORE


Peter It rather depends on what cam you are running. Piper cams generally like 1.3 ratio roller rockers. Kent cams generally get on well with 1.5 ratio roller rockers. If you have a standard cam you can benefit fron 1.5 ratio rockers. Roller rockers give no more power than similar ratio non-roller rockers. What they do is prevent you wearing out your valve guides with race/high lift cams too quickly(they prevent too much 'side load' on the valves). Don't bother with Rimflo valves - they are expensive and only really worth it on a standard head/valve size motor sport... MORE


Hi Group, In the dark old days when I was a lad (black & white story coming up) to run a rebuilt BMC A series engine in you used a SAE 30 oil and drove GENTLY for the first 500 miles or so. 1st oil change after 250 miles, replace filter and oil (SAE 30 oil again and new filter 'cause that is where the metal bits collected). After this you could rev the engine a little provided it was at running temp, you were not running at high revs for extended periods and you were NOT PUTTING IT... MORE


Peter, I have 1.5 to 1 rockers and Rimflo valves in my 1098. I can not give an honest impression as to their effectiveness. I ran the car for 1 month after a rebuild in Utah, 4500 ft up. The cam was not degreed in correctly. Winter set in and I never got back to it until now. Now 14 years later my son and I are fixing the rust and will get the engine running soon. It will be his first car. Start em off right! BTW I'm a transplant from the mother country. Martyn meastwood1@... "Martyn Eastwood"... MORE


Cast your minds back a bit ... remember I first asked about a rattle in the engine ... which turned into a question about what to exchange the engine with ...? Well anyway, rather than going down the modified route (sorry James et al!) I decided to go for having my original 1098 engine rebuilt. Anyway, now the summer is well and truly over, the engine is now back with me (well, at the garage anyway). Before it goes back in the car I'll be replacing the engine mounting blocks and also converting the oil filter head to take... MORE


I don't see why you couldn't use the current shackles (even if modified) as long as you get the proper diameter and length bolts to satisfy the MOT. The original shackles were designed with the pins attached so that the "bolts" (pins) would not work their way loose under driving conditions. My 79 has the originals on it, and (fortunately) they are in good shape, but properly sized shoulder bolts (thats so you dont overtighten them and lose the pivoting capability) and a shackle plate on either side with a locking nut should work very well. "Stevens, David" 2630... MORE


Bent needle on the instrument. Cap.n Moores' Bentley had to come home on the back of the train after the 27500 rebuild on his 1929 engine showed a dropping pressure on the first post-rebuild run (down to Avignon). Got it home, stripped the bottom end and finally decided to test the gauge on the dashboard. Needle had reached the stop and caught on the stop 'pin' and bent the shaft. Every time it started it would reach the end of travel and bend the pin further until at running pressure it only showed 10psi. "rob thomas" 2617... MORE


Hi Guys, Someone was asking about Geoffrey Healey's book - More Healeys etc. and wondering if there were copies about. A friend has just bought an out of print book from the States using Automated Book Exchange at www.abebooks.com which holds info for bookshops all over the world - there seem to be copies in the US & Oz at present.... Shame I've just spent my 'Frog Money' for the moment on a 10CC 2" mains 1098 engine for my rebuild. Give it a go, as I was amazed what I could find in the way of out of... MORE


Chris Regarding events in the north, I received an invitation from Les and Diane inviting me, and presumably other members in the North West to a regular monthly meeting on 2nd Wednesday of each month at 8pm, at the Ridgeway Arms, Blackrod near Chorley (on the A6 just off junction6 of the M61). They are also going to be at the Houghton Tower Classic Car Show on 22nd July (situated between Preston and Blackburn, junction 3 of the M65). I checked with Diane and she is happy for me to put the information on the list and invite any... MORE


Haynes: Rotate anticlockwise. Translation: Clamp with molegrips then beat repeatedly with hammer. anticlockwise. Haynes: This is a snug fit. Translation: Clamp with molegrips then beat repeatedly with hammer. Haynes: This is a tight fit. Translation: Clamp with molegrips then beat repeatedly with a hammer. Haynes: As described in Chapter 7... Translation: That'll teach you not to read through before you start. Now you are looking at scary photos of the inside of a gearbox. Haynes: Pry... Translation: Hammer a screwdriver into... Haynes: Undo... Translation: Go buy a tin of WD40 (giant economy size). Haynes: Retain tiny spring... Translation: PINGGGG... MORE


Some dates for your diaries if you live in the UK or are visiting: #Sat/Sun 20th & 21st July The Great Western Rally - the clubs major Summer event! This year's theme is 40 YEARS OF THE MIDGET. MIDGET. MIDGET. BBQ, road run, gymkhana etc. Let us make this a year to remember! Further details from Trevor Scantlebury 0117 9701245 (fax) 0117 956 1022 scats@... or simply just fill in the forms in MASCOT or on the club Website # Sat & Sun 21st /22nd July MGOC Southern National Day - Leatherhead. *Hope to have a stand* Surrey Area,... MORE


Paul, To my knowledge it is perfectly normal for the pressure to be high until oil warms up as when it is cold it is more viscous and hence offers more resistance to being pumped round the galleries. As it warms up it becomes more fluid and easier to pump and the pressure indicated drops at idle, then as you rev you are trying to flow a greater quantity through the same galleries and hence pressure goes up again. As to whether your pressures are excessively high I'm afraid I don't have experience of your particular engine but others... MORE


Paul Your oil pressure seems a bit high on start up but fairly normal once warm - it could just be a result of the newly rebuilt engine. I suggest you don't rev the tits off the engine until nicely warmed up (but then you wouldn't do that anyway would you...?). You will probably find that the OP on start up returns to something slightly more normal once you have done a few miles and the engine has 'run in' a bit. Have you solved your ignition problems? James "James Bilsland" 2564... MORE


Hello fellow members, My name is Ian Kuah. I am a motoring writer and contributor to magazines like Autocar and Auto Express. I am a also big fan of the Frogeye Sprite, and over the years, I have tested several incarnations of the Geoffrey Healey-approved Frogeye Car Company Sprite replica built by Keith Brading on the Isle of Wight. Here are my impressions. Anyone who wants to know more or is looking for one can contact me by e-mail at: acj12@... FROGEYE SUPERSPRITE There comes a time when even the small specialist car makers who are granted limited production... MORE


Paul Don't use it until you have sorted out the timing otherwise you will destroy a brand new and very expensive engine... Check the tdc position by taking a spark plug out of no 1 cylinder and rocking the engine over until the piston is at the top. You can feel this by carefully feeling through the plug hole with a screwdriver. You can then see which mark is correct (if any) On a modified engine (I assume you have raised the compression ratio - what is it?) you need to time the engine running with a adjustable timing... MORE


This cracked me up... click on the link below or go to that url to see two (2) glass sunroofs specifically tailored to 62-80 MG Midgets. 'Sleek, contemporary styling for that factory-installed look.' http://www.jcwhitney.com/product.jhtml?CATID=119849&BQ=jcw2&_requestid=68299 Shane Anderson 2465... MORE


All; I previously posted the following on the Bugeye list and got some great suggestions - particularly to add the fuel pump high on my list. Ithought I would ask you all to see if you have any other suggestions: I put my 1959 Bugeye in the garage in December 1988 in order to manage a new wife, a new house and shortly thereafter a new child. Although a bit of mechanical stuff was done subsequent to that date, it has pretty much sat in the garage. The carbs are HS 1 1/4" that were "rebuilt" professionally two years... MORE