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Jason Coincidentally I just picked up a 1965 Sprite here in the UK as a restoration project however mine runs and drives (not roadworthy though) great view of the road through the floor. I imagine we will both be doing a lot of the same things for a while. Getting back to your question your 5 gal can Idea should work OK as a way of getting over the holed tank problem, but I think you said in an earlier post that the car had stood for many years. If the car has stood for years without being turned... MORE
Hello Folks I just picked up a 1964 MG Midget in need of a full restoration. The gas tank has a very large whole in it so I can not start her up to see if everything is in working order. What I was think was to run a fuel in from the fuel pump to a 5 gal gas tank and see what I can get to happen. What do you folks think good or bad idea? Thanks Jason 1971 MG Midget 1964 MG Midget "Jason Gross" 21279... MORE
Yucholian Yeah, my bonnet (hood) has exactly the same problem as yours. It's a notorious rust spot for them, after grinding away a ton of filler (bondo) from mine, I discovered it already had a front 6 inch lip already fitted to it. Fortunately, I had the prudence to purchase a repair lip and stiffener for it a few years ago in readiness for fitting it. However, having found that it has already had one repair panel fitted to it - I'm seriously considering purchasing a new bonnet (hood) if I do, I will probably sell the two repair... MORE
you're right, is some sort of solid state system. at least the where the points used to be. I didn't touch any of that, so it should be just where it was set. I did remove the air pump, and blocked the line coming from that going into the exhaust. I also removeved the vacuum line/fuel blocker/line into the EGR valve, and just blocked it off at the carb. It's a standard ZS, I haven't touched anything except the vacuum. now for the fuel filter story. I installed a clear filter before the fuel pump, but that seemed to... MORE
My 67 Sprite's hood has the usual rust issues at the front lip. Since they don't sell a repaire lip for it anymore, don't know what to do. A new hood costs around $600 and I don't want to pay that much. Any ideas? "yucholian" 21252... MORE
the first, is my 79 1500 runs poorly, stumbling, missing at low rpm. up around 3k it runs just fine. any ideas? the second is: i rebuilt the front suspension, and now the steering is MUCH ighter. good. but now it seems to dart from side to side. could this just be an out of alignment thing? TIA George "chuibuddy" 21250... MORE
Sure... Same thing I did with mine. Grind out all the rust, etch the metal and fabricate with epoxy fibreglass soaked cloth. One you've formatted to the best of general shape, use the Featherlite filler and go from there as you would any other body repair. Or....if it's bad enough, get a fibreglass engine compartment hood to replace. Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 21258... MORE
George.... That rough running at lower rpm accompanied by black smoke out the exhaust pipe and a general odor of gasoline? Need more info. Same with second situation...did you do a proper alignment after getting the front end rebuilt? Where is the "toe"? Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 21257... MORE
G'day guys We must have weaker gravity Down Under. Either that, or we use better rear oil seals on gearboxes. If the nose on the drive shaft isn't badly worn, and the gearbox rear seal is in good condition, it will not leak. I can't count how many cars we have had with their nose in the air for weeks at a time, and no oil leaks. My race car was like this for 5 weeks recently while the engine was getting rebuilt - no oil leaks. Mind you, not the same situation if it's bum up. With no... MORE
G'day all Well colour me boring. I just removed the engine from my RWA Sprite to fix the clutch. The front of the car was raised about 3" with timber blocks under the wheels, so that I could get the engine crane in. Three days later, there is a pool of oil emerging from under the car, in the vicinity of the rear of the transmission tunnel. "Oh" says I, "must have a leaky rear gearbox seal." So out comes the gearbox. Might as well rebuild it while it's out, so in go some new synchros, new bearings and... MORE
Gearbox rear seal won't keep the oil in when the 'box is tilted. Standard procedure is to drain the oil before pulling the engine/box. J. jeremy.cogman@... 21221... MORE
Hello Folks Well Last weekend I went down to New Hampshire and picked up a 1964 MG Midget. We got her loaded up on the trailer and tied down and off we went. We stopped at a few outlet shop on the way home and every were I parked there was some who came over to talk about the little red rust bucket. (As my mother see's it) Well we got home with no problems and on Sunday morning I off loaded her into the garage. It looks pretty cool to have two MG's sided by side in the... MORE
IOW Healey Frogeyes had a transverse mounted torsion bar suspension using a standard spridget rear axle unit. I quote from their "Techincal Manual" : "The rear axle is located by parallel trailing arms. The upper arms are attached to the chassis rear bulkhead via the splined shafts of the Bramber Flexride, rubber-in-torsion, suspension units and to the axle via metalastic bushed mountings. Similar bushes are used to attach the lower arms to the axle and the rear bulkhead. Adjustable gas filled telescopic shock-absorbers are mounted to the chassis via turrets attached (vertically) to the rear bulkhead extensions and to... MORE
"You lost me here, Bob" LOL, Jens.... Actually, having the guts to lose one's "self" is paramount to internal development and growth in terms of finding another, hopefully better "self". If I lost you here, then you are not "ready for it". No big deal 'cause maybe you were brought up differently than I and already know what I had to find out for myself. Lets just say that I am no longer partial to blondes, and that while I am certainly not lacking in selectivity when it comes to the physical characteristics of the fair sex, I no... MORE
Just a word, I know you can't beat having your own copy of a book, but I just borrowed a copy of Terry Horlers book from the local library, there is also a lot of general information on restoration , not only of midgets but other cars , from which you get other hints and tips. So $50 on Ebay or free from library until the new softback edition comes out in June, No Contest. Moral -don't forget to use your local library. PS . Lindsay Porters book Guide to purchase and DIY restoration, MG Midget & Austin -... MORE
Ginger Ouch! And yes it does sound about right, 2-300 bucks for parts sounds about right too. It's basically a front full brake rebuild for both sides, inc wheel bearings. I would question why both sides need doing - whats wrong with the other side? Could you get away with less work/parts on the other side? The labour is in dismantling both sides, rebuilding both brake calipers inc new pistons and seals (this is a specialist job, and can't be done at home, may be cheaper to just buy an already re-conditioned pair) re-fitting wheel bearings, calipers, hoses, brake... MORE
Hi Neil Glad you finally saw the light ; ) I'm not really sure what tips you're looking for, the 1275 isn't substantially different from the 1500, apart from the obvious differences. I think you're wise going for a restored one, considering the amount of time and effort, not to mention financial costs of restoring one. I guess, what you need to look out for, depends a lot on the type of restored 1275 you're looking for, and what kind of money you want to spend. Top of the list in my mind would have to be a professionally... MORE
"I still wonder what happened to that head" I once had a 45DCOE I shipped to a fellow out on the west coast to be used with a 1380 being built for him in future. The damn thing ended up in Guam...so help me God! Took about forever to get it back after it was finally traced. Oddly enough, there was a silver lining in this cloud...for me...not the guy who expected the carb.! I had intended to use a Judson blower on my new engine and in fact, the build was "tailored" for the expected load and dynamic... MORE
They don't rust in absolutely all the same places - you are much less likely to get that line of rot above the wheelarch you get with a square wheelarch car, they will rust everywhere else the same though! David "David Jacobs" 21073... MORE
Hi all! After owning a 1500 for the last 8 or 9 years ive decided to buy a RWA model (ive always secretly wanted one). Is there anything specific to that model I need to look for? I guess they all rust in the smae places! I';m looking to buy a real good one, hopefully one that has been totally rebuilt so any tips would be gratefully recieved! In case it makes a difference, I'm in the UK. Thanks in advance! Neil '75 1500. "Neil Rouse" 21039... MORE
No, no..."Beckers" Do not misunderstand. No apology required, necessary, needed or desired. I view your feedback along with that of others in a postive manner and have evidently given you the impression that it is otherwise...I apologize. While confident in my abilities, I do not know everything there is to know on this (or any other subject for that matter!:) Sure I can go solo, but a team effort with educated other heads is a better way to go, IMHO. (Besides, if it "goes wrong" I can blame somebody else, rather than myself!!:) There was no way you could... MORE
No, no..."Beckers" Do not misunderstand. No apology required, necessary, needed or desired. I view your feedback along with that of others in a postive manner and have evidently given you the impression that it is otherwise...I apologize. While confident in my abilities, I do not know everything there is to know on this (or any other subject for that matter!:) Sure I can go solo, but a team effort with educated other heads is a better way to go, IMHO. (Besides, if it "goes wrong" I can blame somebody else, rather than myself!!:) There was no way you could... MORE
Hello Folks I just bought my 2nd Midget. A 1964 MG Midget for 350 bucks in really good restoration shape. I am going to be picking it up this weekend. I have never trailered a car before and I am looking for some good advice. I have my tie down straps is there anything that I should also do? Thanks for the advice Jason 1971 MG Midget 1964 MG Midget "Jason Gross" 21044... MORE
Virginia Here in the UK rebuilt calliper units cost about the equivalent of $60 each, hoses are no more than $10. If you use the reconditioned units this is a really easy job just two bolts hold each unit on, took me about half an hour to do each side of my car. I recon a good mechanic with all the best tools and equipment should do it quicker. Unless there is a lot more work to be done that you have not mentioned you are being robbed, try another mechanic or get a Haynes manual and maybe a... MORE
As California goes, so it seems goes the rest of the country when it comes to automotive legislation. California's SB42 allowed vehicles built earlier than 1974 to be exempt from the state's emission testing program. Now California State Senator Dean Florez is pushing SB708, which will require biennial certificate of compliance for cars all the way back to 1960=97unless you can prove that the car is driven less than 12,000 miles per year. If you care about your classic car, no matter which state you live in, take the time to read this up-to- date information on the situation.... MORE
