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Tim, I don't usually say much on this channel but I am interested in your restoration. I have a 1975 1500 Midget I am working on. I've got it to the point that it's drivable but there is a lot more to be done. I found out from the first drive that my tranny has seen better days. I picked up a '79 for parts and got a good tranny out of it that I plan to install this winter. Ultimately, I want to install a 5 speed for traveling with my better half. The 5 speed swaps I've... MORE
The usual culprit is a worn out clutch release bearing- the carbon is probably worn down enough that the brass carrier is pressing on the clutch release surface. You can inspect the release bearing through the clutch release lever hole- you'll need a flashlight. The carbon block should protrude from the carrier at least a couple of millimetres. The other possibility is worn out crankshaft thrust bearings- with the engine running, watch the front crankshaft pulley as your beautiful assistant pushes the clutch pedal- if you see the pulley move forwards, then its engine rebuild time. My money's on... MORE
That doesn't happen. I don't move with the clutch disengaged. rlirwin@... 5850... MORE
My bugeye with a 1098 engine has an idling speed several hundred rpm's higher (when warm) when in neutral with the clutch pedal up than it does when the clutch is pressed in. Is that normal? Thanks rlirwin@... 5842... MORE
Ity seems a little early to declare the 2001 winners, but a friend sent me this... 2001 Darwin Awards ....... The awards this year are classic. These awards are given each year to bestow upon (the remains of) that individual, who through single-minded self-sacrifice, has done the most to remove undesirable elements from the human gene pool. 5th RUNNER-UP Goes to a San Anselmo, California man who died when he hit a lift tower at the Mammoth Mountain ski area while riding down the slope on a foam pad. The 22-year old David Hubal was pronounced dead at Central... MORE
The flywheel, sump, and front plate are different. You can use your Midget sump and front plate, not sure if your Midget flywheel will fit. HTH G "Grant Bowyer" 5806... MORE
The Midget flywheel will not fit the Marina crank without some machining to either the crank or flywheel. The tail of the Marina crank has a larger diameter than the Midget...about .006" if I remember right! It doesn't sound like much, but it just doesn't fit. Dave dave_oneill138@... 5811... MORE
Hi All, Just when it seems I'm on a roll everything goes to Hell fast. I just got my "Leaky Lady" back on the road after engine removal to find out where all the oil was coming from and now the ignition lite is staying on and my battery is dead just about every time I try to start the engine. My car is a 60 Bugeye with a new wiring harness. It has a generator that is original. I have checked all the wiring to make sure I have it all hooked up correctly and I am sure... MORE
I couldn't help her guys, maybe you can: "My 1967 MGB GT isn't running right now. It has an overheating problem which is making me crazy. I have replaced the thermostat, replaced the radiator, replaced the temperature gauge and rebuilt the heater. The next step is the water pump then the head gasket!!! If that doesn't work I may just shoot it between the headlights and bury it in the back yard! ARRRRGGGGHHHH! There is also a bit of a transmission problem. I hope (Ah...eternal hope!) to get it back on the road for the MG swap meet on... MORE
Also, "clutch woes"- A good time to possibly upgrade to a "roller" throw-out bearing in place of the "stock" carbon-type? I have found "action" to be much smoother with these and even though they do not have the problem Grant writes about in his post, have always felt you are better off in neutral than "holding" clutch pedal "in gear", anytime it can be avoided. Cap'n. Bob '61 :{) PilotRob@... 5747... MORE
Your release bearing (throwout bearing) is worn out/broken. Replace it ASAP or it will damage the clutch throwout bearing surface, which isnt part of a clutch kit. Unfortunately replacing the release bearing means removing the engine and gearbox from the car- so its a good time to replace the rest of the clutch and the slave cylinder. (the other horrific possibility is that your crankshaft thrust bearings have gone- unusual on a '73, more likely on a 1500. Look for fore/aft slop in the crankshaft.) One small but extremely important point- NEVER let the engine run while you hold... MORE
sound like your carbon donut (throwout bearing) is gone. When they wear thin, it's not uncommon for them to crack and fall apart, resulting in a 'sudden' change in operational feel. Now not thick enough to press in the fingers of the clutch pressure plate, the grinding of gears while trying to shift is the clutch not fully disengaging. Paul Tegler ptegler@... www.teglerizer.com Paul Tegler 5717... MORE
The clutch on my '73 midget suddenly started making a scraping noise when pedal is pressed down and slows engine. I am unable to shift gears without grinding. Any suggestions. Thanks one and all. Chuck clessman@... 5715... MORE
I've just had the 2nd speedo cable snap in one month on my Frogeye (Midget Clocks,Cable and gearbox/transmision) My questions are. Have I just been very unlucky, (the 2nd one was definately new) or is it possible for the speedo to sieze and then free it's self. Is it possible to lubricate it? Should I try a third cable or is this a sign that the speedo is on its way out and change it anyway? Thanks Gary L London England "Gary Lazarus" 5703... MORE
So, the awestraylyun connection... Mind if we call you Bruce? Direct from the Philosopher's Dept of the University of Wooloomooloo: (via www.montypython.net) "Immanuel Kant was a real piss-ant who was very rarely stable. Heideggar, Heideggar was a boozy beggar who could think you under the table. David Hume could out-consume Schoppenhauer and Hegel. And Whittgenstein was a beery swine who was just as sloshed as Schlegel. There's nothing Nieizsche couldn't teach 'ya 'bout the raising of the wrist. Socrates, himself, was permanently pissed. John Stewart Mill, of his own free will On half a pint of shanty was particularly... MORE
Hi, Jens- Cooper S was street performance version of 1275 incorporating "longer" cam timing (slightly higher lift, I think, as well?) and "big valve" 10 stud, one bolt (forward by thermostadt) head. Intake valve went to 1.48 which was as much as could be squeezed in; probably too much as area between valves frequently cracked. Better off with 1,4 intake and slightly larger than stock exhaust valve, but this is another issue. Compression ratio was about 9.5 rather than 8.8-1, if memory serves me well. Con rods were also different and cranks were either EN40B or the weaker EN16,... MORE
Hello everyone. I recently bought a rebuilt bodyshell, where the transmission tunnel area is the only original metal. Everything else uses new, Heritage panels, and all appears well. The doors hang nicely with even gaps, and sitting there in the garage the shell appears to be good and straight. But how can I check this? There doesn't seem to be too much point in doing any work at all until I've confimed the shell to be true. All advice gratefully received. Martin Peake Tewkesbury, Glos, UK '71 Austin Sprite "Martin Peake" 5619... MORE
Ah, there you are; Hugh Acosta! Huge, in a previous post (yesterday or the day before, I forget which) you stated you could not find the oil pressure reliefe valve under the oil pressure reliefe valve spring. I, and another lister, advised there should definitely be a valve beneath the spring and I recommended you renew the entire assembly for the hell of it, since this is just cheap insurance. Since normal valves can "stick", I also mentioned that some LBCers replace the valve with a similiarly sized ball bearing. Hope you took our posts to heart in the... MORE
Robert The K series is a (newish) Rover engine as fitted to various small Rovers as well as Caterhams and the Lotus Elise, size is 1100 to 1800cc. Its a very small and light ohc/dohc 4 cyl engine. Now a common swap in the UK for Spridgets using the Caterham bellhousing and Ford 5 speed gearbox Regards James "James Bilsland" 5600... MORE
The Ford Kent 1600 engine used to be a common engine swap with Spridgets - a friend used to have one in his hillclimb car. it was powerful but the thing handled abysmally.... The Pinto engine is huge.... Probably lighter to stick a Rover/Buick V8 in.... J "James Bilsland" 5596... MORE
Just a thought... Start your engine, rev it up a bit and gently tap the tacho from underneath the dashboard. Both of mine tend to stick and take a couple of minutes or a gentle tap to get going.... ST "Stuart Toller" 5590... MORE
I have just complete the body, trim and paint and the interior of my 1959 Bugeye. It has the orig. 948 cc and non-synco transmission. 104 K. It purrs like a kitten and is fun to drive...easy. I just returned from a club show in Chareston, SC and was not to impressed with the midget mk I and bugeye their. I should have taken mine ! When one goes to a "real" show, not concurs, how are the cars judged? Is there a point system ? Is it better to have an orig. non-carpeted interior? I would think well... MORE
Racing drivers always want more power... Its a question of power to weight ratio - with a 600kg car and 140bhp I have out-accelerated race prepared Porsche 911's (2.7 Carreras not Turbos). With 180bhp I suspect you are getting up to Formula car speeds. Mind you Simon tells me he couldn't 'floor it' unless the wheels were in a straight line even in the dry.... J "James Bilsland" 5517... MORE
I have the same knob and before the emblem wore off, I put a nut on the shift shaft and then screwed the knob down until it stopped. If it didn't line up, I unscrewed it until it lined up and then tightened up the nut against the shift knob to hold it in position. Hope this helps.. Rick Las Vegas, Nevada acostahr@... "Hugh Acosta" 5513... MORE
The standard MG Metro Turbo was alleged to produce 93bhp at the flywheel - although anyone who has driven one will question that - they feel no quicker that a ordinary 1300 MG Metro... You *can* use the Metro Turbo set up on a Midget - use the head and manifolds - You have to be careful on compression ratio with turbo engines (although the standard Metro Turbo has quite a high CR) so you may have to change the pistons too. I'm just not sure its really worth the bother - the Metro Turbo has very little boost... MORE
