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British Leyland were aware of the over heating problems and changed the very last (79 onward) of the 1500 midgets by incorporating two large vents in the valence under the bumper to let more air through the radiator. I added these to my 78 and stuck an oil cooler behind them. No problems since. Roy D. david.stevens@... on 07/07/2001 16:20:18 Please respond to midgetsprite@yahoogroups.com @INTERNET@wtgw To: midgetsprite@yahoogroups.com @INTERNET@wtgw cc: Paper Mail: Subject: RE: [midgetsprite] INteresting Problems. *** WARNING *** This mail has originated outside your organization, either from an external partner or the Global Internet. Keep this in mind... MORE
Jeff I have a spare inlet manifold, but for twin 1.25 su. Not being to up on what you have, perhaps you could let me know if it helps you. If suitable, you can use it however a good chum of mine who is helping me restore my car may be able to effect a repair as he can weld to aircraft spec !! I would want my old manifold back so you are welcome to borrow it long term, if this helps get in touch, if not, good luck otherwise peter peter bentley 2411... MORE
Didn't take any pics today as I was just final sanding the midget for the paint. Once I paint it, with a little luck tomorrow, I will put all the parts back on it so it will look like a car again and begin rebuilding the engine. Here I will be putting a modified rear oil seal and will let everyone know how well it installs and works. It is guaranteed not to leak oil! We shall see. Rick Las Vegas, Nevada acostahr@... "Acosta" 2405... MORE
Hi, Guys Just thought I would sound-off to the List, since my family isn't into car stuff, and does'nt understand envy, lust, & being happy for another guy - all at the same time. I think you guys will understand. A friend, Fritz (who has a very nice 59 Bugeye as a daily driver) came by the house late yesterday to show me his new "project." Jumped into his Bugeye & drove over to his place (end of LBC content). In his garage is an absolutely gorgeous '58 Mercedes Benz 190 SL convertible! One of his sons had found... MORE
I have a 1960BUGEYE for sale. I have advertised it befor but had no pictures. It is an older restoration with engine, transmission, hydraulics, electrical, cooling, paint, interior, suspension top side cuttains, tires. This was done 8 years ago and has about 8.5 k since resto. The pictures are on www.geocities.com/eulipion/bugeye.html. The car is located in Pennsylvania. Asking $6000. You can e mail me here or at work. Work is mlacoco@... mlacoco@... 2385... MORE
Dave, The 1500's are notorious for runnig HOT to begin with, due to the radiator design and size. I would tend to go with the theory that the 'stat was running partially closed, caused the engine to overheat, temperature went up to open it the rest of the way when you removed it...YADA YADA YADA. as for the push rod wandering, I haven't a clue. My last 1500, was a hothead. ended up doing the "pump replacement, play with several different stats" routine. Then, just when I got it running right......WHAM....got broadsided by a 72 Cadillac, Presto Chango, no... MORE
I am putting back together an GAN 1 948cc Midget. I am having to replace the old intake manifold due to a large crack in it. The number on the old one was AEA 634. I found a NOS intake manifold, part number 12g299 with 242 stamped above. The new intake puts the carb's closer to the head. My question is: Will this hurt performance at all. I have a stock exhuast manifold to replace the homemade headers, so clearance is not a problem. I am trying to stay as close to orignal as the budget will allow, i.e.... MORE
I guess that those of us involved in the UK modified Midget racing scene are the ones who find the book of most interest. I should declare an interest as it is my step-fathers car featured on the cover... (yellow modified Midget). John Baggott has effectively written an account of his own racing experience along with a homage to Steve Everitt who was sadly killed in a road car accident in Greece in 1987. Steve was an amazing guy and dominated UK Midget racing for nearly 10 years. We all knew he could have made it 'to the top'... MORE
Ditto. I managed to break one after a kerbing. Overengineered in terms of weight but extremely solid. See one fitted and you'll worry about all the times you entrusted yourself to that crappy top arm design. Haven't owned a spridget in the last 10 years that didn't eventually get one fitted. Saves you the cost of a kingpin rebuild since I AM CONVINCED IT REDUCES WEAR IN THE BOTTOM LINK sufficiently to pay for itself after about 50000 miles of UK driving. No financial interest (Tim "Frontline" Fenna is the competition!) "rob thomas" 2369... MORE
I am doing a rolling rebuild of a fast road 72 midget. My next stage is improved handling,& I have already fitted poly bushes &stiffer rollbar. Does anyone have any advice on Frontline's teleshock conversion versus uprated lever arm dampers & positive camber trunnions? Frontline is expensive but does seem to give positive toplink location & adjustable damping. Any advice would be most welcome. Steve 72 midget "Steve Cowling" 2327... MORE
Thanks James and all other repliers, This change of engine is getting a bit expensive...........so I 'll just put in a standard bearing and replace it next year!! By the way now I have taken the engine out of the car and pushed it out of the garage, there is a sort of knocking noise coming from the gearbox, which is still in the car, is this OK?, or have I done something silly by moving the car? Or is it just that the release bearing arm has moved forward under pressure from the Hydraulic fluid? This is a... MORE
I am scooting right along now but ran into one major problem with the right front fender. It appears that the Midget was wrecked before and the entire front end of it was rebuilt with good old BONDO. I will try to remove it and reshape the front using the left one as a pattern. The little Midget is now sitting under the canopy very happy with the coat of primer on it. When the heat allows (over 120 degrees in the shade right now), I plan to squirt the silver paint on it. Al least with this heat... MORE
Does anyone know the dates and the contact name for the Colorado Conclave in Denver, CO this September? I have my rebuilt engine I bought on ebay (I will tell that story in another post) back in my 78 Midget and am looking for a long road trip. Thanks Dick Watson '68 & '78 Midgets "dwmidget" 2316... MORE
I have had trouble with the roller bearing release bearing kit in the past because the roller bearing tends to 'fall over' and the movement on the clutch arm isn't enough to compensate. This I fixed on my race car by using a nylatron insert inside the bearing carrier that is just bigger than the gearbox 1st motion shaft and which sits over the shaft to stop the bearing falling over. I can't say how successful this would be on a road car as I imagine that it would wear out fairly swiftly given day to day use... A... MORE
1977 Midget, a heck of a lot of new parts. Aftermarket wiring (streetrod) A GM Conversion on the alternater. new roof, tan, Matilic green paint, new carpet, etc, etc.... My butt is to big to fit, and legs also. A Texas car, solid shell, very small rust, taken care of. No holes. Runs, but need tlc. No smoke! Wooden Dash. $2500.00 or trade?? 512/671-6542 John. Thanks..... jknapp@... 2279... MORE
12G940 is the part number for the ordinary 1275cc head casting. There were versions of this casting produced for the Cooper 'S' but the classic Mk1 'S' had the AEG 163 casting. The differences on the 'S' and 1300GT heads (and MG Metro 1300) is just down to factory machining (bigger valves etc...) Regards James "James Bilsland" 2262... MORE
Well, we should have a poll to decide what is considered "information", then have a poll for what is considered "organized", then have a poll for what it is that we really had a poll for to begin with, then upon reaching a decision, have a poll on the most likely answer........ Sounds like government action at it's best eh? Hopefully no postal workers out there, or we might need a postal-worker-midget-owner- color-where-you-live-and-here's-your-&**@#$-mail poll. Jeff Meyer GAN 1 Midget captaincog@... 2256... MORE
Hi chaps, I am just about to start to replace my engine..............Cough, cough!! Before I commence I have done the simple but pleasing things like clean and degrease the engine and spray paint it a rather pleasing light Hammer finished green........very smart, and adjusted the tappets etc. Whilst doing this I noticed the engine number: 12G940, and thought that it might be fun to know where this engine has originated from............. Any ideas? Paul Arkley SS 1972 MkIII "Paul T" 2226... MORE
Day ten of the rebuild is done. Progress should speed up now that the rusted panels have been replaced. Be sure to let me know if anyone wants or isn't getting the pics I am sending out. Rick Las Vegas, Nevada acostahr@... "Acosta" 2220... MORE
Rick - I've received photos for first 3 days, don't know where you stand now. Pics are great, really impressed with work getting done. Best of luck with the Rebuild! Jim Rogers San Juan Capistrano jarplanner@... jarplanner@... 2204... MORE
What about mine. Bog standard 1275 engine 58k miles from new. I thought the temp gauge was US until I replaced the thermostat. I replaced it with an 82 deg one as I could not get an 88 deg one as in the book. Now it runs with the gauge half way between C and N what ever I do. Terry "Terry Isherwood" 2188... MORE
Funnily enough while you would expect a modified engine to run hotter than a standard one (more power = more energy = more heat) my experience is the opposite. I think that a well modified head must allow the engine to run more efficiently and at a slightly cooler temp... I would have thought about 80 - 85 degrees (celsius) about right (based on what your thermostat is likely to be). Anything up to 100 is OK in small amounts (i.e. traffic jam/hot day). Running over 100 for long periods of time is getting into shark infested waters... James... MORE
Chris I will be in the UK in Sept and plan to attend this event. I need a little bit of info to help me get there. I will be staying near Epping (Where ever that is) How far am I from the venue? How long will it take by train? How long by car? I have no idea of distances in the UK as I have never been there. This is the only "must do " attraction I am going to although The Heritage Museum may feature if I can arrange it. Do you have any other suggestions... MORE
Here's another little poser for all you experts on the list. What is to be considered an acceptable normal working temperature for a standard 1275 'A' series engine: a) under normal road conditions b) under sustained fast motorway conditions, say 65 MPH (FAST, I hear you shout....well you know what I mean) c) under normal tickover At what temperature should one start to get concerned. And finally, I am just about to replace my 1275 with a fast road 1330, will it.........run at the same temp...be cooler......or run hotter, and will the normal radiator be sufficient? Well I think... MORE
Peter It is probably not a good idea to drill and tap your block for 11 studs unless it is disassembled (swarf and engines really don't mix...). Use a head gasket for marking purposes for the extra studs. You can use an 'S' head on a midget engine without the extra studs. As I said to you on Saturday 11 studs are a good idea on a racing engine because of the higher compression ratio. This is not likely to be an issue on a standard spec CR engine. You should however try and work out what the CR... MORE
