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Frogsters- You know, it occurs to me that following Pixel's logic (which I do not disagree with to any extent) that correcting for this "list" on LHD cars not only involves switching back springs, but definitely involves switching front springs as well, assuming the unibody itself has not taken a "set". Of course, at a mere 135lbs (soaking wet) I cannot offend (though I am considered to be "porky" in one area but that's not germain to the discussion at hand) though the PO did weigh in at about 200 and yep, the car sagged slightly to the left.... MORE
Fellow Frogsters- Came across a restored 1958 Leaf Green Bugeye at the local Volvo dealer's "preowned" lot here in Stamford, CT. (800-281-8658, 203-978-5780 or www.stamfordvolvo.com) Car is spitting image of mine except for wire wheels but unlike mine is a "9+" on a scale of "10"! Absolutely no rust anywhere however, car is recent respray. Floors appear to be original unless somebody did an absolutely first class full floor welding job (always possible). Car is absolutely immaculate inside, outside and under bonnet, wherein all looks original. Body and engine ID plates missing. Did not get to check VIN number... MORE
Thanks RH, I made this dash by hand around 1970. It is 1/2 black walnut with the edge doubled to 1 inch thickness so I could create the same beveled profile as the original dash. The contours are identical to the original. All the gauges are coutersunk and there is a maplight and power antennae switch tucked into the recess above the ignition switch. The lighting knob is also hand made from black walnut and is identical to the original. All the switches are original except for the toggles in the console section. Notice the notched out area where... MORE
My neighbor has a 1500cc Rubber Bumper Midget which he bought new in Europe. It has twin SU carbs, and, I think, higher compression pistons and a hotter cam. All stock factory parts in the European cars. It runs lots stronger than the USA cars, and you should be able to get all of this stuff from one of the European parts sources, maybe even through Moss. Carbs, manifold and linkage might come from a salvage car in England. Seems like a good way to increase hp from a 1500 without having to reinvent the wheel. "tloutrec" 8324... MORE
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE WRITE-UPS AND CORRECTIVE ACTION TAKEN Never let it be said that ground crews and engineers lack a sense of humor. Here are some actual logged maintenance complaints by QUANTAS pilots and the corrective action recorded by mechanics. By the way Quantas is the only major airline that has never had an accident. (P stands for the problem the pilots entered in the log, and S stands for the corrective action taken by the mechanics. P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement. S: Almost replaced left inside main tire. P: Test flight OK, except autoland very rough.... MORE
James- Interesting. I suspect, (as you metion) the shock loading was overcoming the gear's material strength rather than the fault being the cut of the teeth. Of course, smaller teeth would have handled the shock better. However, in theory (and in everyday road driving) most people would find that 1st wears out before it breaks. Either that or the layshaft snaps... (extremely unpleasant.) "Grant Bowyer" 8242... MORE
I think what Growler is saying inter alia is that the straight cut 1st gear on a Midget box is weak. This I can attest to having had to replace 3 of them in the last 3 seasons... The 1st gear design (wrapping around the 1st/2nd hub) means that they tend to crack. The shock loading of dropping the clutch at 5000rpm off the start (really!) driving through slicks can't help... The constantly meshing 2, 3 and 4th gears straight cut gears don't seem to do too badly although the syncro hubs and baulk rings take a real bashing.... MORE
Well, the Mrs. and I went cruising the highways this past weekend. The weather was perfect and we just hit the road with the top down. Driving on the Interstate was a real pain around 65 mph as I still need to rebuild the front end and all of the rims are tweaked which require replacing. Keeping the speed down to 60 mph it was quite enjoyable as we headed out to Pahrump. Found out they have prostitute or cat houses there, but for some reason my wife would not let me 'stop in and check one out'. After... MORE
Nearly all classic cars tend to sag towards the driver's side, because that is the side that always has someone sitting in it!! The answer is to have the springs on the driver's side tempered to a higher spec than the passenger's side. Doesn't matter whether the driver is on the LH or RH side of the car. Margaret South Lincolnshire (UK) mmbrock88@... 8207... MORE
All, Is there a easy way to test a coil short of installing it and see what happens? I have a collection of coils that I have accumulated and would like to test them and see if they are any good. Is there a contunity test on the primary windings? Any suggestions - answers will be appreciated. Thanks., Biff Jones Pasadena, MD '59 Bugeye, 'Kermit' '59 Speedwell :{) parts car '62 Sprite, 'Ole Gray' '71 Midget, 'Freebie' http://sprites2.homestead.com "Biff Jones" 8198... MORE
Hi Bree, Just a couple of things- Rust. You mentioned the doors, but the most important places to check are the sills (rockers, panels below the doors, whatever you call them in Texas) the base of the A-pillar (theh pillar the door hinges attach to) and the rear bulkhead, behind the seats, where the front part of the spring attaches. These are really awful spots to repair, and are also teh first places to start rusting. If you find rust in these places, RUN AWAY FROM THE CAR.... You can change an engine in a day. you can change... MORE
Well mine does. In poorer, more naive days, (OK, about 16 years ago) I followed advice and replaced only the RHS springs to try to cure this... Then I was 220 lbs, bit more now, though. Charlie 72 RWA (first ever car, 2 rebuilds, 3=BD engines so far...) "Charlie Heard" 8190... MORE
BMW already sell the Z3 with 3-series 6 cylinder engines: the =93cooking=94 2.2 and 3.0 and the full 320bhp M3 engine (M Roadster). The first two engines are new sizes (used to be a 2.0 =914=92 and a 2.8 =916=92), so mayb e this was what he was talking about. The M Roadster was the basis of the Z3 Coupe and appears to be a real beast of a car. The latest M5 is now a 400bhp V8, and 7-series are V8s or V12s. The Z8 roadster has the M5 engine in it, so a car combining the Z3M... MORE
Hi there, Reluctantly I have decided that I must sell my beloved Poppy. She is a 1961 Mk 1 MG Midget, and has served me well since buying her nearly 10 years ago to tide me over while Ava, my Mk 3 was being restored. I love both cars to bits, but feel that the time has come to concentrate on looking after just one. Colour: Tartan Red MOT: July 2002 Tax: December 2002 (Exempt) Comes with Tonneau Cover, New hood (Never fitted!), hood frame and side screens. Price: Offer in the region of =A33,000. Since I have owned... MORE
Yes they do. All Spridgets sag on the diver's side. I wonder if LHD spridgets sag more than RHD ones? Due to the weight of the pedal box, gauges etc being on the left as well as teh usual wiper motor, manifolds etc. Not to mention the stereotypical American tendency to porkiness... ;-) Growler I'm with Gerard - at some point in my life, I want to know, definitively, whether right-hand-drive spridgets sag to the right!! "Grant Bowyer" 8173... MORE
Hello all My mail server went down so I couldn't respond to your e-mails The one question I was asked was Why do you have to turn upside down the spring plates The reason is that the shocks need to mount a little lower then the originals so by flipping over the plates and swapping them from left to right and right to left it gives it just that difference that you need. Sorry for the delay. Also to Capt. Bob my car is a 1971 MG Midget and I don't know right off hand what the numbers are.... MORE
Mine LHD also sags........although Im jockey size.....70 Kg................. Jorge Dimitrakis BA.Argentine pedal box, gauges etc being on the left as well as teh usual wiper motor, manifolds etc. Not to mention the stereotypical American tendency to porkiness... "Jorge Dimitrakis" 8184... MORE
Very Interesting article Gary, I wonder why I haven't seen it (which issue ?) This might tie in with an encounter I had at the local filling station in Leamington Spa - 2 miles from Warwick. Not too long after BMW had pulled out from (MG) Rover. A BMW Z3 'owner' was having trouble opening the bonnet, (running hot and wanted to check the water.) At the time I had just finished doing some work for BMW and mentioned this to the driver. At this the driver said that I wouldn't have seen this engine installation before, because it... MORE
Then how could you think that the generator and starter would weigh as much as: cast iron exhaust manifold intake manifold w/ 2 carbs and air cleaners exhaust pipe w/muffler pedal box, pedals and master cylinders w/wiper motor steering column, steering wheel, gauges, most of the wiring harness. and various other small items... ... not to mention the driver, some of whom brag about being in excess of 250 lbs! (??) I guess the question is, do RHD cars sag on the right side instead? Gerard "gerardchateau" 8143... MORE
=0D =0D =0D BMW's 'Project Warwick' concept car - the recent motoring press coverage. =0D Will BMW call it an Austin Healey ? ...or won't they...=0D =0D =0D There has been much speculation - ever since BMW bought Rover (and even mor e since they sold it!) - that BMW would 'revive' many of the old BMC/Leyland/Rover 'brands' - including Austin Healey.=0D In the early 1990's, I had the opportunity to live in Warwick, England for a few years, and had the rare opportunity to talk with Margot & Geoff Healey about many things 'Healey' - including the 'ownership'... MORE
I'm replacing my wishbone's following cracking round the fulcrum pin. Now that I've got the things off, I notice the holes in the chassis legs where the inner fulcrum bolt passes through are not round anymore! Movement over the years I guess. Does anyone know if this is dangerous? If so what's the answer? I loathe to take the engine out and replace the front chassis as the genral condition is good. I've thought about welding some plates on with the right size holes in them, or could I just clean up the area and glue some plates in... MORE
Does anyone know (assuming the rear springs have settled in) how much distance there should be between the rubber stops on the top of the rear axle and the body, assuming the car is empty except for a few tools and a spare wheel but with a full tank. I have about an inch on one side and inch and a half on the other but feel it should be more By the way it's a 58 Frogeye. Gary L camden London "garyloisuk" 8130... MORE
Gerald- With no intent whatsoever is being a wise guy; if it is not as intended by the manufacturer, it ain't good. As to whether "it" is "dangerous", the foregoing precludes this question. You don't even want to have to "go there" to find out. ("Oh, gee whiz, my left front wheel just folded and I am losing control, sliding across the highway and head on into a car occupied by a guy, his wife and three kids". Yeah, rrriiight~~). IMHO: If it's got to do with steering, brakes or suspension (vehicle "control") it's GOT to be fixed RIGHT... MORE
Exactly, the bulkhead does carry the spring load, and you'll notice that they soon went to full length reinforcing rails in the boot, alongside the inner fenders, rather than the tabs which the early cars had (starting with car #10344). "tloutrec" 8091... MORE
Charlie, Thanks for posting the pics. Jeremy, I have 2 sets of SPAX shocks. One for the quarter elliptic and one for semi elliptic. Neither have been installed. What is the purpose of flipping the springs plates? Is it for clearance or sometrhing else? Also, a preliminary test fit of the quarter elliptic shocks seems to indicate that the shock are too short to attach even with the shock fully extended and the axle fully loaded. Anyone have experience with this? Gerard "gerardchateau" 8090... MORE
