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Yes, yes... The Sprite treads "softly" as it is invariably it's owner who carrys the "big stick" ....and they call our cars the "little guys" and worse.......heh, heh, heh! :) Cap'n. Bob (Ret'd) '60 Frog PilotRob@... 18750... MORE
Thanks Bob, The guys tell me that a sway bar & wider tires will make it "stick" to the road & lessen the "wandering" effect on the highway. They say it will be like it is on rails. I don't want to lose the fun or tossability from the car so maybe I should look for a small bar? I am told that the only midgets with sway bars were the rubber bumper ones. True? & if so. then Why are there mounts on the frame rails on my 61? Just curious Thanks Alex ' 61 midget "Alex Volk"... MORE
On a lighter side. (pun intended) the weight (mass) of the bodyshell depends on the number of holes in it!! When I designed flywheels for dynamometer use, I had to define the dynamic and static balance tolerances. In order to balance we did not add weights as you do with a road wheel, but used to drill 'LIGHT' or 'HEAVY' holes !!! Regards Alan P.S. we did the same for vehicle clutches. The pressure plate would be balanced independently first, then as an assembly with the clutch cover. The OE clutches were more finely balanced the aftermarket ones. (I... MORE
that's not quite what I meant - I calculated the weight of shell plus bits and bobs WITHOUT engine, gearbox and back axle was around 1000 lbs, so if a totally bare shell is around 300 lbs, then what constitutes the missing 700 lbs? Regards David "David Jacobs" 18671... MORE
Don, that's why I'm poor, because I'm not a computer programmer. My new job (as of September) forces me to drive over 60 miles a day and close to 2.5 hours in traffic. I have to fill up every 4 or 5 days at over $35 a pop. I should get a thank you card from Shell or at least a free slurpy once in awhile. Yeah, Silverados are very nice but it has one weak point that I don't like, transmission. They're a big clunky and loose for my taste but man, it's smooth and cruises on the... MORE
David Jacobs.... "Double the weight"? Yep!! Try picking up an engine/gearbox combo or rear axle assemby with the springs attached, but not before checking your medical insurance policy! :) Cap'n. Bob (Ret'd) '60 Frog PilotRob@... 18660... MORE
the dry weight of a MkI Midget less engine gearbox and rear axle is just over 1000 lbs, so if you use this figure in whatever calculations you are doing, you should be safe. What *do* you need to know for? Regards David "David Jacobs" 18630... MORE
Terry I can tell you what I did. I only worked on one side at a time. I re-skinned the door first and used that as a template for checking the door gaps. I jacked up the car and supported it on two axle stands at either end. I used a stout (2 in fact) length of timber - about 4 feet long, 6 inches wide and about 2 inches thick used this on top of a jack underneath the transmission tunnel. This has two effects - first is to support the car under the transmission tunnel therby preventing... MORE
Will share an old WELDERS trick I learned a while back......(my teacher could stick weld tissue paper)......anyway. Pick up a sizeable piece of red or yellow brass, and use it as a backer for your butt welds, and or spot welds. The welding rod or wire will not stick to it and it acts as a heat sink for those really thin pieces you are trying to stick together. Obviously there will be some tight spots where this will not be practical, but it does work. David A. Stevens Jr. Utilities Engineer II NYS Office Of General Services Sheridan... MORE
I think that is the way i will be going also.Gives us plenty of time to get the datsun swap right.My only problem is the county.Always after me for having to much junk.Between me and my son we had to get rid of 18 cars last year.We cant pass up a good deal ha ha! "stanley hill" 18585... MORE
Good, STan... The gearbox sounds good and Gerard is now on the scene, so things are looking up all around! Once you go through the "tests" mentioned earlier you'll have a better idea of where the engine "is". Cap'n. Bob (Ret'd) '60 Frog PilotRob@... 18578... MORE
Its a 5 speed and dosnt seem to make much noise.Any way i turn i have to pull a head.The 1500 in my midget blew a head gasket end of october,and i havnt done a thing with it yet.I cant make up my mind if i should go the easy route or try a swap.The midget engine only had 65,000 original miles but transmission has to be put in third just right or it will scrape and sound terrible. Also at 65 mph it tachs around 38 to 4000 rpm.I thought about a 5 speed swap but it seems... MORE
Stanley... Not enough specific info available, Stan. though it does SOUND as though the cooling system is being pressurized to some extent by combustion gases. (Beginning of head gasket failure?) A drain of the coolant and inspection of same will tell the tale....and a flushing of the system and check of what's coming through will confirm it. Otherwise, the old compression/leak down check will tell the tale. You'll see bubbles in the coolant as you look into the tank/recovery bottle when you pressurize the combustion chamber, fr'instance. And both tests will confirm the shape of the mechanicals as the... MORE
Well i brought home the datsun today. Heres what i found.Tag says its a A14/A15 engine with 89.something c.i. displacement.Does anyone know the horse power rating for it?Removed thermostat and drove it 26 miles without overheating.But it does blow coolant out the top of recovery bottle.Pulled plugs they all look chocolate brown and dry.Does this sound like a head gasket? Transmission works well but shift lever has lots of slop and play.It didnt smoke and no water vapor from tailpipe.I was a bit disapointed in the performance as one i drove years ago seemed quite lively.This one shows 155,000+... MORE
Hi folks, My previous post rather prompted this. Thinking about two-pack and classic cars, I simply don't understand the sense of people who paint concours classic cars in two pack. Surely concours is about 'originality' and 'condition' first and foremost? These same concours contestants who would howl in derision at someone plopping a non-oe engine or gearbox into a classic car - think nothing of painting their classic in two-pack! Um hello - classic cars were mostly painted in cellulose and not two-pack originally! Personally I'd deduct substantial points for this 'non-original' faux pas - but does it happen?... MORE
Good morning Bob. You continue to mystify me. You were raised Italian and you drank a cup of de-caf? Are you sure riding around in your 60 in sub zero temps has not frost bit you brain. :) :) I grew up In Louisiana where children were winged off their bottles with cups of coffee. He's old enough to hold a cup, pour that boy some coffee. The only time I heard de-cafe spoken was when the neighbor would come over and say "Durn it de-caf is loose again." Thanks to GAIFEN/P-EPHED 600/120 SA I can breath through my... MORE
I have a 70 midget that needs a master cylinder, I know that the fluid that I should use is the dot 4 fluid however since the car spends more time sitting them moving, I thought that useing LHM brake fluid (We have a 1969 Citroen 2cv that uses it). The benefit of this fluid is that it is non-wicking. The down side is that it's pretty pricey. The question that I have is, is this fluid compatable with the seals in this brake system? I understand that the whole system will need to be flushed out. Any help... MORE
If you are going to stick with the 1500 engine then Spitfire overdrive box is the way to go (or one pssibility anyway). jeremy.cogman@... 18473... MORE
G'day guys Paul, did you really find no coins down there or are you just not prepared to admit it? Some of the nuts on the rear suspension of your Bugeye/Mk II are 5/8" Also the pivot bolt for the brake and clutch pedals. And lastly - they changed from 7/8" to 1" slave cylinder with the introduction of the 1275cc engine. Why they changed the design of slave sylinder is anyone's guess, but don't blame BMC/Leyland etc. It would have been the supplier that made the change, probably for effiiency, simplicity, commonality etc etc. The 1275cc diaphram clutch... MORE
Im learning as i go.Found out the early datsun engine came in 1.2 1.4 and 1.5 litre size. "stanley hill" 18471... MORE
If i decide not to use the datsun engine and/or 5 speed i will let every one on the list know. I also know where there are several fiat 124 engines both carburated and fuel injected, and 4 and 5 speed trannys to go with.If anyone is interested. They are for sale fairly cheap. "stanley hill" 18470... MORE
There is no cnoversion kit for the Datsun tranny to a 1500 that I am aware of. There is a kit that will adapt a Ford Mercur 5 speed but it's considerably more expensive and the trannies are harder to find. Gerard "gerardchateau " 18453... MORE
Does anyone know if a 1438 cc fiat 124 spider engine and tranny will fit in a midget? I know where several are and cheap. "stanley hill" 18446... MORE
Just found a datsun 210 of 1981 vintage.It has a blown head gasket and a good 5 speed tranny.Any one know if this is a good candidate for swap into 1500midget? "stanley hill" 18445... MORE
If you don't want it, send the tranny my way. I'd be more than happy to take it. Kim Yuchol 18451... MORE
