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I have a scarry but happy ending story.Just days after aquiring my midget, took the other half out for a drive. Stopped at a flea market. Befor we could get un buckled and out of the car a jeep cherokee came hurtling towards the passenger side[and directly at the better half] in reverse. All i had time for was to lay on the horn as we watched in terror until the awful impact.With blood boiling and wife wailing i jumped out of the car and proceeded to use loud abusive language as i went around to check out the... MORE
-George, I got out the creeper and rolled under the Samurai (Early '88 five speed). Here are the approximate transmission dimensions: Front of bellhousing to end of tailshaft = 20" Front of bellhousing to end of shift lever housing = 24" Bottom of trans to top of shift housing is 10" Bellhousing is 14" wide. The widest point of the transmission (except for the bellhousing) is 8 1/2" forward of the end of the tailshaft and is a hair more than 7" wide. Bellhousing tapers from 14" to 7" in about 7" Hope that helps. "mbhnm " 17124... MORE
Ok I've listened all day and now need to get my $.02 in. I've owned Suburbans for 16 years (total of 6) and just sold my 1995 with 219,000 miles. When the LBC or LJC (little Japanese Car) breaks down as my daughter's did about 900 miles from home, you cannot go get it with another LBC or LJC. When its time to take your son's hockey team on a 200 mile trip at 5:00 in the morning you can't fit five teenagers and equipment bags in a LBC. Every vehicle has it use. Way back when I bought... MORE
Does mid size count? . . . Our primary car is a Mazda Tribute. Bought it because we have a pop up camper, ironically weighs the same as a Spridget,about 1500 lbs. Use it out in the southwest, give me red rock forever, and the Colorado mountains so needed something with enough horse power to tow and not slow to a crawl on mountain roads. It's mid size and a bit more stable that most SUVs because of it's suspension, but still I am particularly careful because it has a lot of horsepower for it's weight. Nothing was as... MORE
Steve- Sounds like they crushed the exhuast system....I've had this happen when the car is not carefully placed on the lift before being raised. Now you are probably hearing normal valve lifter noises "through" an exhaust leak caused by the above-mentioned, which would also account for all the other "noise" coming from the engine compartment. The accelerator cable will sometimes get "hooked up" on it's little metal end as it goes onto the heat shield in the engine compartment. This would account for a sudden way higher than normal idle. You might check that all throttle return springs as... MORE
I just got the Philly Region SCCA newsletter and there is an ad for a former race car in it. Here is the ad - "FOR SALE: 1965 RHD Series IV Sunbeam Alpine as raced by Buzz Marcus in 1965 for Motorsport, Havertown. Complete but rusty parts car including fiberglass hardtop and enough parts to make 2 cars. Entire package including special tools $6500 or best offer. Trailer also available. Fred Livezey 215-542-7141 days, 215-887-7972 evenings. FredLivezey@... " I know Fred, and I actually bought two cars from Buzz Marcus when he sold Brit cars back in the late... MORE
Jukka- Now, here is a case where the pictures are worth at least a thousand words, and this is a good thing considering I don't speak or understand the language!! Nice job, Jukka! :) The 3/4" front bar will definitely change the handling characteristics to a far more neutral "feel". Of course, you'll be adding this "in combination" with other suspension changes so this may or may not be the case were this a change in and of itself. A 45DCOE with 38 or 40mm chokes should also make a difference in the "go" dept. as well my friend... MORE
Tried it.and yes it does work. Probably safer too. Having said that I will prabably stick with my grease gun! I also found it useful to use a little oil occasionally to moisten the grease in the front ssuspension! The purists will probably throw up their hands in horror, but it made my suspension last. Still on the original king pins (swivel pin) but have at last had to replace those dreadful threaded pins at the bottom. done over 100,000. Regular cleaning and maintenance seems to have been the main secret though. "Roger Stinson" 17012... MORE
The 'spider' in the centre of the joint can be assembled either way round, so it's likely it was put together the wrong way. There are right-angled fittings available for some grease-guns which may enable you to lubricate it, but failing that, wait till it gives up the ghost, then fit the new one the right way round. (later cars didn't have grease nipples at all, so think yourself lucky!) For the steering rack, you can either unscrew the oil nipple and use one of those pump type oil cans with a flexible pipe to squirt oil directly into... MORE
Bob- You can acquire an "oil gun" which will fit a zerk ("grease" nipple) at a Marine Supply Store. Alterntively, you can remove one of the clamps holding the rubber "boot" and inject oil into the rack on either side. Cap'n. Bob (Ret'd) '60 Frog PilotRob@... 17011... MORE
Thanks for the information. I bought one of the 90 degree fittings, but there just isn't enough room, so I guess I'll wait until I need to replace it and make sure to assemble it properly. With regard to the steering rack. If the oil normally goes in under pressure, does removing the nipple and poring it in work OK? Bob rlirwn@... 17010... MORE
Ref the Steering Rack, Use a grease gun emptied of grease and filled with Gear Oil (hypoid) and give 10 strokes only at the 12000 Mile service. Don't overdo it or you will damage the steering rack rubber boots! Hey but its fun! Easier if you have a dedicated grease gun. saves all the messing about. "Roger Stinson" 17008... MORE
I have a 60 bugeye with a 1098 gearbox installed. The fitting on the front U-joint does not face toward the access hole, and there is not enough room to get one of those angled fitings on a grease gun over fitting by going through the access hole. Can someone suggest how to get the grease gun onto the fitting? I'm also wondering if something was installed incorrectly? Also, my manual indicates that the front steering rack is to be lubed with 90 wt gear oil (I think - don't have the manual with me). The steering rack is... MORE
Great! Just what I need...another car! :) Guy wants way too much for it...were he selling it "built" and ready to go, it would be a different story. I used to own a '67 hardtop with a 1600cc GEX, "deep" sump, Weber DFEV, 009 Crane-equiipped dizzy with uprated coil, Glasspack sport exhaust, KYB tubes all around and 8 spoke 6" "White" wheels running 185/78 15's. All heat exited out from under the rear seat (excellent velocity & volumn). I think it could easily beat a Judson equipped 1200 with no problem. Car went like hell for a VW. Cruise... MORE
Well I looked at my BMC body service parts list # AKD 3567 and can not find that the H AN5 was offered in Black (BK,1). But I have an Austin Healey Sprite Sales Brochure (publication No. 1590/B) that clearly shows a Black bugeye on the cover (cannot see the interior), BUT it only list exterior colors as: Cherry red, Leaf Green, Old English White, Iris Blue and Nevada Beige. It also shows a yellow car on the back page with the Specifications. I think this might be an early, lets say '58 publication ?? Bill French '59 Bugeye... MORE
Hi Gerard, A hair line on the left spoke close to the center. Seeing that he has vintage cars I don't know what came over him to pull and push in and out on the steering wheel like he was, To the best of my knowledge he's a nice guy who just got carried away with excitement. Don "Don May" 16930... MORE
Hi all. Looking for help with a no start problem. I rimoved the engine on my Midget 1500 1979 to replace the clutch. Engine ran fine, started and ran it before I pulled it out. Now engine back in and it won't start. I thought I checked over everything so now I need some suggestions. All connections are tight. Points are opening, cap,points,wires,plugs all newly installed before job was started. Checked all fuses, No spark from plug wires when engine is cranked, also no spark from lead going to distributor when engine is cranked. Coil was not fooled with... MORE
When I FIRST got into Spridgets, the car would not fire, so I drag out the trusty Bentley, and this is what I read........ Page 77 Locating a fault ("short" for Americans) Having determined, by testing as previously described, that the fault lies in the low-tension circuit, switch on the ignition and turn the crankshaft until the contact breaker points are fully opened. Refer to the wiring diagram and check the circuit with a voltmeter (0-20 volts) as follows. NOTE.-If the circuit is in order the reading on the voltmeter should be approximately 12 volts. (1) Battery to control... MORE
So it goes with the original 7/8" master cylinder, Bob Irwin. The later 3/4" type Mk ll set-up would provide more pressure with less effort. I, too was considering a switch over to a 3/4" bore, in consideration of the effort required after going over to discs. Then I considered the problem of maintaining directional control in "panic" stop situations as a consequence of "locking them up". Especially in view of the fact you never have to worry about exerting too much pressure in a "panic stop".....it's instinctively "automatic". And that's exactly "the problem", most especially with power brakes.... MORE
Don, I too am the proud owner of an original steering wheel. Its on my 60, and it had minor cracks and pits. Its amazing what some of the compounds will do to fill in and cover then with a little paint it satisfied the 5 year old in me not to have to look at it the way it was. I know it not for the purist but we are talking 5 year olds here. And as someone once said " looks are deceiving" . Happy holidays Bob 60 AN5 Tampa MTGBRKR1@... 16892... MORE
Yesterday a very stout fellow asks if he can get into my 63 Midget. Sure I said. Once he fits himself in suddenly he grabs my near pristine original bakelite steering wheel and begins to pull back and forth playing race car driver. I watch in horror as my wheel flexes back and forth. Too late to say anything. Now it has a hair line fracture in it. I love that wing wheel. I am sick. That feeling of helplessness that you can't turn back the clock. The five year old in me is having a crying fit. Most... MORE
Mine rests on the inner wing, somewhere in the vicinity of the coil. One of these day's I'll probably make a bracket for it but for the past three years it's just sat there, held in place by the hoses. "Jeremy Cogman" 16832... MORE
really sure that its M11 thread. That must be one of the most NON Standard metric threads around. Go with a 7/!6" UNF plug tap and some grub screws (set screws) Retaian with high temp thread lock. ( UNF = American invented thread I believe) PS the the most dangerous nut on an MG is the one that sits behind the steering wheel. regards Alan "Alan East-Jones" 16792... MORE
I have my 1500 rolled over and ready to go to the shop to be sandblasted if anyone wants to look and offer any advice the pictures are at http://photos.yahoo.com/smquandt in the MG folder. Also it would seem to be much easier to re-install the suspension, gas tank, fuel and brake lines with the car rolled over. Has anyone ever done that? Does anyone see a problem doing that? Thanks Steve Quandt "Steve Quandt" 16769... MORE
I know I have said this before, and it caused some amusement, but it is perfectly do-able lie under the car and to reach your arm, full length in along beside the prop shaft and hold the front U/J with your fingers and guide it into the G/box tail shaft. Sounds like you need very long arms but it is really very easy. I used to mess around with coat hangers, bits of foam and bungee straps until one day I tried this and was surprised at just how easy it was! Guy u-joints "Guy Weller" 16755... MORE
