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I had my MC sleeved with brass but there seems to be a problem the pistons don't move freely. I know that the bores need to be opened up a little. How do you know when enough material has been removed? I planned on using 600 grit wrapped around a dowel with tape to make up the difference. Also there are two small holes into each bore from the top are both supposed to be open? Thanks for your help, the 65 Sprite is getting very close to being reborn. Martyn "snook32907" 22677... MORE
Ken Charles! You can run heated or unheated. As David Jacobs states, the MG Metro runs heated. And as David says, you can run either way and see which way is best but, before you do..... you need to understand the effects of water manifold heating and why it exists. It is basically there for economy of operation in light load driving...like around town sort of stuff. As David says, heating the mixture allows for better vaporization of the fuel. True. This allows for a "leaner" mixture for more economical operation (better gas mileage) in part throttle, light load... MORE
As there was a thread recently regarding front end alignment, beginning with message 22461, I have posted a couple of photos of a simple apparatus that I used this week to estimate and rough-in the toe in on my Sprite this week, in case it might be useful. The apparatus comprises a 48" construction ruler, and a pair of 18" x 24" L squares. The short legs of the L squares are clamped to the opposite ends of the ruler, such that the long legs extend outwardly from the ruler and parallel to each other, such edges being separated... MORE
Hia Ken, I agree with what Capn Bob had to say, just a couple of points that have not been raised. 1. You mention high ratio rockers (1.5 to 1) are you talking about roller rockers or standard type rockers with the higher ratio??? see below as to why i ask. As C Bob said not that much of a performance gain, but one of the main reasons to fit roller rockers is to cut down the side loadings on the valve when using high lift camshafts. The other point is what you consider to be a road cam... MORE
No, no Beckers!! Don't lay this on me....wrong guy!! :) Vizard dyno testing shows little, if any performance gain with 1.5 rockers except at higher rpms....me, I'm just the messenger!! Good point about the side loading on the valve stems...absolutely...."rollers" are the way to go in this respect for sure in any case, and the higher the lift, the more "side loading" becomes an issue in wear and tear in terms of "travel" across the stem end. My point is to have an idea of what you want in this respect to begin with, then educate oneself on how... MORE
I have a 8/75 mg midget and am having a major problem with it. The problem is that has way too much negative camber, tip in at top of tire, on the left front. I have replaced the off center bushings in the left lower a-arm, bought a shop manual from Moss and checked the measurements on the pivot points for the lower a-arms, checked the distance measurements on the left lower a-arm against the right lower a-arm, pulled and checked the left shock mount to see if it had been modified and it hasn't. I guess my question... MORE
I was wondering the correct engine starting procedure for a 1972 MGB 1800CC 4spd w/electric fuel pump and twin SU carbs. I can usually get it to start with manual choke on third try after pump stops clicking without touching the acceelerator pedal. I was wondering what the original owners manual said, if anything. The car was recently given to me and it has become my duty to bring it back to order. I have rebuilt and adjusted the carbs as well as performed normal tune-up procedures. Your help is appreciated! "nipper6579" 22575... MORE
Hi guys is this the same group i left, some 2 yrs ago. well im back at my sprite now. anyway just started stripping it to replaace the 2nd cill, and also fitting a 5 speed gear box while at it. So while the engine is out im looking to boost power. ie free flow exhaiust , hi lift cam. & poss hi lift rockers . i intend reusing the twin HS4 carbs but fit k & n Filters. Can anyone tell me of a proven choice of parts. ie f0r fast rd use. If I fit cam is... MORE
Bill, When you say 'Gold' do you mean yellow (Yellow Ochre in BL-ese) or brown? (Autmn Leaf) In 1973 the interior colours changed from black and Autumn Leaf to Navy and Yellow Ochre so you might have either. I'm not 100% sure of which body colours had which interiors as I've lent my Original Sprite and Midget book to a guy in work. The colours available over this period (and my recollection of which interior colour they came with) were: Black (Autumn Leaf or Black/Navy, never Yellow Ochre?) Glacier White (Aut. Leaf or Black/Navy) Bronze Yellow (Black/Navy) Harvest Gold... MORE
How about the Californian gets flown to London to meet Jeremy who drives him about Great Britain for a week before we meet up with Jim who carries the tool box as we all fly back to San Francisco where of course I will have to show them around for a week or so before we take the roll bar to Texas to install it. Naturally Jeremy and Jim will have to see the sights of Austin. I will rent a car, drive them to see New Orleans where they catch a plane back to London. I will visit... MORE
Terry Yes, the price is coming down fast. They are being sold on ebay for around $50.00 and Harbor Freight tools has one for $70.00. Don "Don May" 22519... MORE
Don You're most welcome to the advice. I'll try and answer some of the questions you've asked here. As far as I'm aware, the MIG wire sizes relate to the thicknes of metal you're welding. As a rule of thumb, the wire size diameter should be slightly less than the thickness of steel you're welding. So, my wire size was 0.9mm so that was ok for steel thicknesses of about 1.0mm, although in principle is was fine for steel of about 0.8mm, which roughly equates to 18-20sg steel thickness. My 90 amp welder had 4 power settings, Min/Max and... MORE
Nigel, Thanks for the lesson. The manual that came with the welder, a similar model to yours, 90 amp MIG flux wire high and low switch, only gave instructions on changing the wire but no instructions on how to use it except to brush the metal with the wire tip to start the ark . . . that was it. It has a wire speed control . . . but nothing said about setting it for various jobs ?? Came with a 4" spool of .030 wire. also uses .035 wire but I haven't a clue as to the... MORE
Don, I expect you will get many replies on this one but here's my two cents' worth....... I experienced your frustration initially with being totally unable to see where the heck to start welding, but my solution was really simple: you must have really good strong light onto your target area. I whenever possible took my welding job outside into good daylight, preferably strong sunshine - this makes a world of difference. When I absolutely had to work in the garage, I always used a good 500W halogen portable lamp where access was limited, and 2 X 500W lamps... MORE
Feeling incompetent. I've done many crafts in my life time. Know as a Mr. Fix-it by family and friends, but I have never welded until today and that experience is best described as a futile attempt. It's hard enough to learn to weld but . . . how the hell do you weld what you can't see? Seeing that I am on a limited budget and most what I will be doing (or hoped to be doing) is tacking spot welds I had drilled out back together I bought a small flux wire mig. Welding mask included . .... MORE
"The car has a manual 5speed in good condition. Has new radiator,tires (on 280zx rims), and hoses.Motor is bad. Body has rust. Be a good parts car or restoration project. $300 obo. Also have other motor parts for building a motor (pistons,block,etc.) I am located in Cocoa, FL. (321)638-407 or email huxeric@... " DLancer7676@... 22427... MORE
Bree, I think you must be talking about a MAnifold Pressure sensor. If so it should be in a threaded "boss" in the induction manifold or in some tube attached to the manifold. I'm not sure of what I speak here, but a Haynes manual for that car would tell you. I'm a bit surprised that a car as old as an '86 would have a MAP sensor, but ............... Good luck & Rgds., Tony P. "anthony pooley" 22418... MORE
Hiya Not that I'm in the US or will be able to participate in this, but it sounds like a wonderful idea to me. The only aspect that gives me the wobbly's, being a purist, is the thought of spraying this car metallic gold! The idea of a gold plated Sprite badge on the back in my mind is a much nicer idea and would look really good, as long as the car was sprayed in a OE colour. The only other aspect that would concern me, is the need for 'builders' to donate not only their time but... MORE
"Muriatic acid" My mech uses this stuff (diluted) to clean old metal parts...it is extremely effective and the fumes are extremely noxious and I am sure, downright poisonous if you get a good dose. It's got to be used in a VERY well ventilated area with the appropriate mask. I can "feel" the fumes in my eyes! However, it IS a VERY effective metal "cleaner" but use with utmost care for your person. You have to know what you are doing (IMHO). Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 22378... MORE
Actually, Jeremy... The crankcase pressure is in and of itself the propellent in a "ventilated" rather than "evacuated" system, the former of which I prefer for exactly the reason you state in your post to Guy Weller....less dilution of already diluted octanes. Fr'instance, I think it was Chris who mentioned dragsters with vacuum pumps hooked up to evacuate crankcase pressure and considering THEIR applications I can well nigh understand this, considering THEIR crankcase pressures!! Whoa, whoa!! :) Obviously, for the normal LBC daily driver this would be overkill but the point is made, though we are talking apples and... MORE
If memory serves (and I will defer to the more chemically qualified members of the list) it is a dilute form of hydrochloric acid (can't remember the exact concentration). My concern is this: I believe that if hydrochloric acid contacts any sort of ferrous metal the chemical reaction results in the formation of HYDROGEN GAS. REMEMBER THE HINDENBURGH.......KABLOOOEY!!!!!! it is pretty aggresive stuff and can be very dangerous to skin and respiratory systems if they are exposed. This stuff will take the hide off a water buffalo at 30 paces, so be careful. There are other rust and GUNK... MORE
Well, Chris... Intelligent routing of "ventilation hoses" (vertical travel) and/or a draught tube run off a "catch can" makes "liquid pollution" a thing of the past in any case. I don't know what everbody else looks for when they check their oil level at least once a week but, I know what I look for besides oil level. The reek of gasoline is all pervading, believe me! If you are not smelling this (it pervades the atmosphere around and within the car, especially on older vehicles which is our subject) or noticing a definite drop off in performance while... MORE
"Could you re-route.....to scavenge crankcase gases" Well, you'd be pressurizing the catch can prior to the draught tube or filter I guess. If the pressure was more than was present in the crankcase vent lines, it would pressurize these, as well as the draft tube unless you used one way valves in the lines from the crankcase to the catch can. If you could run the tube from the smog pump through the catch can and down vertically toward the road surface, you'd have a pressurized draught tube and by punching some small holes in the portion of the... MORE
If you can find a copy of David Vizard's Book on Tuning the A-series engine, he shows exactly how to go about constructing a crankcase vacuum system, or evacupan, as he calls it. No blowers or motors required, no moving parts, very effective. "Jeffrey Holmes" 22347... MORE
Don... The smog pump injects air into the exhaust after the combustion process so no re-tuning needed. Whatever horsepower is lost from the engine (5?) driving the pump is returned to the driveline (yhaay!). Doesn't sound like much but as a percentage of what the engine normally produces it ain't bad, is it? :) We cut the manifold off at the fittings to the cylinder head and retained these, closing them shut with a drop of lead or solder...I forget what we used it was so long ago. Alternatively, you can find Allen screw/ plugs of the proper size... MORE
