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Not all RB Midgets have 3.7, Midgets beginning with car number GAN6 200001 (Aug 77). That's pretty much only '78 and '79's. I personally wouldn't find anything more than a 3.9 to be satisfying with a 5 speed. The 5 speed with the 3.9 does about 3200 RPM which I think is about right to maintain acceleration torque without to much shifting. Based on my experience, I think a 3.7 would be rather "doggy" Gerard "gerardchateau" 8689... MORE
Anything *can* be done, in fact I recently saw a Bugeye advertised for sale which had a small block chev! That said, I assume your '66 has a 1098 engine, so if it needs rebuilding, a swap for a 1275 would be a reasonable way to get a little more performance, and the 1275 could be modified to give 100+ HP. From there you could do a trans swap for a Datsun 5 speed. Lucas electrics aren't as bad as some say. Remember, after all, yours may be 36 years old, and who knows how good Nippondenso electrics will... MORE
I just bought a 66' midget, have changed all the fluids, all brake parts, hoses, and master/slave cylinders.So far, all is well. Its been a month or so of ownership, and I know I need a clutch replacement, and the engine needs to be re-ringed. The carbs were just rebuilt(SUs),and of course the common Lucas issues(lol). I have considered keping it all original, however, I think I have changed my mind. I am considering to go with a modern distributor, a newer engine perhaps, and new wiring/guages(not Lucas!) If anyone knows anything about this, has attempted it, or know... MORE
I have some very interesting photos of the 2 "privateer" MG/Lolas run at Sebring. The 37 car that won the class spent part of the week with the factory LeMans nose on it. One of the pit crew members told me the factory wouldnt let them run it that way in the race. The 11 car which qualified 3rd overall and ended up 5th in class had 2 factory crew members on the team for the weekend. When the gearbox took a dump a very interested Lola bigshot made his way into the pits to find out exactly what... MORE
I love my midget except for one thing, It dosnt like cruesing at highway speeds. Needs another gear or a higher rear end gear.I know some people have changed the trans mission but has any one changed the ring and pinion? If so was the change a happy one. Thanks "stanley hill" 8674... MORE
I have a midget with 1500 engine. It runs great however with the 3.90rear it is short winded. My problem is do i increase horse power or change transmission?It really feels like it needs another gear for cruising .Or would a cam etc, give it more zip at the higher rpm range on the highway? "stanley hill" 8673... MORE
Where's your spirit of adventure James. Stick some plates and some wheels with legal tyres on and hit the road! "Jeremy Cogman" 8588... MORE
Hi Doug, Definately not for the faint hearted, but I think the Frontline one is even more involved. See http://www.mgcars.org.uk/frontline/gearbox.htm. Your best bet would be to put an A-series engine in your car and install the Datsun kit. Believe it or not, that would be the easiest and most economical Speaking of snow, I bought my first Bugeye on March 26th 1968, I remember it snowed that week (if not that day) and we had snow that year right into April! Gerard "gerardchateau" 8550... MORE
New York is alive, awake and working a double shift..... David A. Stevens Jr. Utilities Engineer II NYS Office Of General Services Sheridan Avenue Steam Plant 79 Sheridan Avenue Albany, NY 12210 "Stevens, David" 8561... MORE
Gerard That is a good option. I like the A series engine better anyway. Just rebuilt the 1500 so don't want to changes out yet. Maybe down the line I will sell the built up 1500 and put in a 1275 with 5 speed. Remains to be seen. As far as the snow I hope it's the last of it for this year need to get on with things. On the brighter there have been years when we have put the boat in the water in March but not this year. Doug 77 Michigan Doug Pletcher 8556... MORE
Hi Doug, I have a Spitfire J type gearbox to go in my 79.... (got it out of a 77 parts car along with a 45k mile engine) I took a look at the website recommended a while back, and except for the fact that I don't have a lift in my shop, it looks like a do-able project. The pictures and descriptions on the site are quite good. David A. Stevens Jr. Utilities Engineer II NYS Office Of General Services Sheridan Avenue Steam Plant 79 Sheridan Avenue Albany, NY 12210 "Stevens, David" 8551... MORE
Hi Gerard Been off line since Saturday. Power outage caused by big time wind and snow storm. Thanks for the input. Looks like a tough job to put in the Spitfire trans. Maybe I will just leave it is. Thanks Doug 77 Michigan Doug Pletcher 8547... MORE
Now you tell me!! And just where were you with this advice when I needed it (just prior to shipping my "core" engine and gearbox to Rivergate last week)? Huh, where??!! (I know, "You should have asked, fool!!") Oh man, there just is NO justice; none I tell you, NADA!! Cap'n. Bob '61 :{) PilotRob@... 8542... MORE
Thank you Jeremy and Ted for your help. I'll check out the info on the "silly" fluid but whatever it says I'm still going to use it. I have heard that it tends to feel soft on the pedal, but so far I have my clutch finished [yesterday] and it works great. I would have the brakes bleed by now but I can only find one bleeder screw in the box of parts. and yes some fluid spilled on the paint but it just wiped off and no harm to the paint job that cost so much. so far... MORE
Gerard Will that gearbox fit and match up in a 1500 Doug 77 Michigan Doug Pletcher 8511... MORE
Ian, Paul Asgeirsson of Portland Oregon runs a business called Morriservice. He makes a very well made kit that uses a Datsun 210 (4 or 5 speed) to fit Spridgets and Morris Minors. I have the kit in my '72 Midget and I love it. The best part is the Datsun does not require chassis mods, while the Seirra box does. The Datsun coversion is considerably less expensive too. Rivergate makes a kit for the Datsun too, but I prefer Paul's. His customer support is great too. You can reach Paul at PAsgeirsson@... . Tell him I sent you.... MORE
Hi guys, my last gearbox post did not appear so appoligees if this appears twice. I want to get my 74 rwa on the road again, Last time it was used in 96/97 was for road going class Curcuit racing in the Midget Challenge so the box is straight cut and very niosey. I am wondering about the conversions that where on offer meaning Sierra 5 speed and some Jap boxes? I would like to keep it original but at same time be nice to have some peace so as to listen to the engine rather than squealing, thanks... MORE
Hi guys I am new to this board, I have a 1275 Midget that I want to start using again. Last time I used it was to take part in the Mg Midget challenge a few years ago and the gbox is straight cut and very niosey, I am hoping to make it more road usable and have a engine that I am about to install, but I am now thinking it would be nice to have a more driver friendly gearbox. I have been out of the Mg scene for a while and not sure what the best... MORE
I have been restoring my 67 sprite for the the last four years and its looking great. Just need to attach the sprite emblem , mount the set of michelins, add silicone brake/clutch fluid. and gas. What I need to know is the location of the emblem.I can find the center position obviously but what is the measurment from the leading edge of the hood to the bottom center of the emblem? can someone help! "crfkingfish1" 8494... MORE
I was looking through a Car magazine from late last year, where they talk about a new, lightweight BMW sports coupe. ealey. It has a 4 cylinder engine, but a =916=92 may be squeezed in. It apparently uses many lightweight parts to keep the weight down: it has the power-to-weight ratio of a 911 with the smaller engine. I wonder if this is related to the rumours of a new Healey. Charlie =9272 RWA (First ever car, 2 rebuilds and 3=BD engines so far) "Charlie Heard" 8433... MORE
Chris; I think David Vizard's book has a section on valve sizing. As I remember it, the valves are definitely the bottlekneck in the breathing system, and so there's really no such thing as a valve which is too big. Ports which are too big will slow down the charge, but not valves. Because the intake charge is only moved by atmospheric pressure, (whereas the exhaust charge is moved by a bloody great big piston) it works out that you'll get more gains by enlarging the inlet valve more than the exhaust valve, especially in a cylinder head which... MORE
Optimum valve ratio is probably different for different engines, but if we're talking about the BMC A series, there can be no greater expert than David Vizaed, and he says: ...I tend to size the exhaust so that it flows about 65% to 70% of the intake..." The key word here is "flows", and that depends on more than just head diameter. Valve lift, shape, port geometry, camshaft duration, lift and closing rates, are all part of the equation. "tloutrec" 8400... MORE
Two weeks ago, someone came on this list enquiring about the cost of replacing a clutch and other items on their 1976 MG Midget. Since I own a 1976 myself and the car was located in my state, I decided to offer her $500 "sight unseen" for the car, if she wanted to sell it as is. I didn't know much about the car except that it hasn't been running for 3 years and it was parked in a garage. At 8:30pm, Thursday night, I was at her house, with a tow truck and $500... pushing a leaf and... MORE
I am in the process of fitting an electric fan to my 1500. I don't have the fan yet but am doing some prep work. The question is does the fan clutch need to be removed from the water pump or is there enough room. Doug 77 Michigan "dougple" 8373... 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
