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LOL... I applaud you DB. Yeah...the expressions on the Shrub's face when he is told about the WTC "strikes" are priceless. I say with humor but I also say this with understanding as well.... after all, he's the Captain....his (sudden and unexpected) responsibility to "think & act", rather than react. I mean just put yourself in this guy's shoes for just that moment...awesome. Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 32983... MORE
Ken the casting numbers are from a midget (1972-3 at least) or similar (Austin 1100 ) They were the numbers on all 4 calipers I aqua blasted last week ready for re-plating and rebuilding. The Hoses fit using a forked bracket under the tab , which positions the hose. The hose in turn is attached to the caliper via a banjo bolt and at two copper washers. I remember two of these banjos having a head thickness of about 1/2" and two of 1/4" . Now I can't remember if they came off as a pair or if one... MORE
After looking for a few weeks for one of the square wrenches to adjust the rear brakes (one that won't break like the moss ones), I tracked one down on a MAC tool truck. MAC part number: RW903 It's a ratchety wrench and has 3/16, 1/4, 5/16 and 3/8. Cost was $13, and well worth it to have the correct tool. As a bonus, since it has 4 different sizes, I can do both the B and the Midget. "TJ Tryon, Jr." 32963... MORE
Lisanne... Your hubby is a mechanic, right? Tell him these cars are really a PITA when it comes to bleeding air out of their hydraulic clutch systems. Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 32951... MORE
Lisanne, these clutches are notoriously difficult to bleed. You do need to be absolutely sure that you have really managed to get the air out of the system before simply assuming that either the master or the slave cylinder is faulty. There are a variety of tecniques which help in getting all of the air out It would be a waste of money to replace master and slave if in fact they were not faulty! Guy "Guy Weller" 32939... MORE
Non-engagement is the issue here, Mike. We were able to get some compression after we replaced the Master Cylinder, but not really enough to make the clutch work properly. It looks like we're going to try a new slave cylinder next...hopefully this will work. Ahhhh well...it looks like it's going to rain anyway:( (sigh) Lisanne:) "mckenzienewfs" 32935... MORE
Lisanne, Are you saying that the clutch will not disengage due to lack of hydraulic force/pressure or that it is permenatly disengaged. Duncan HHHhhhhh! Non-engagement is the issue here, Mike. We were able to get some compression after we replaced the Master Cylinder, but not really enough to make the clutch work properly. It looks like we're going to try a new slave cylinder next...hopefully this will work. Ahhhh well...it looks like it's going to rain anyway:( (sigh) Lisanne:) "Duncan Sinclair" 32937... MORE
Well it's official. I'm a frustrated MG owner! I've had "Chloe' for almost two months and haven't really driven her yet. First, we fixed the brakes...then I went to drive her and she wouldn't start...cleaned the carb and adjusted it...hubby drove her out to test her and the clutch went out...pulled the clutch slave cylinder and bought a kit to fix it...still had clutch issue. Bought a new master cylinder today...STILL didn't work. WAAAAAaaaaaaa!! Yep, I'm whinin'. Summer is a'wastin' and I want to drive! Any ideas, guys? (I just had major surgery and my doctor doesn't want me... MORE
Guys - While dissasembling my front suspension last night, one of the bolts which clamp the shock pivot arm to the small shaft at the top of the spindle broke while turning it out, are the upper shock arms available new from suppliers, and also how about the rubber bushings and the mentioned small shaft thingie which it mounts too? Everything is locked tighter than a drum, and was wondering if I should just cut the small shaft thingie off and replace both it and the shock lever arm, I'm sure all these little bits have proper names but... MORE
TJ, Just went through the same drill with my midget, at least regarding the brake lights not working. Check your brake light switch, which is just forward of the pedal box. If you have a faulty (read: leaking) MC or clutch MC, the fluid could have worked its way into the switch. A faulty switch will not operate the lights when the brake pedal is applied. Just another area to look at. Good luck, Pete "Pete Skalski" 32914... MORE
Chris, I'm OK on the hoses. I bought them some time ago, but was stumped when I found the fitting different to the caliper, but I think I understand what's going on now. CheerS! Ken "kcarroll_184" 32911... MORE
Just to add to the brake switch discussion. I just replaced the switch on the brake pedal on my '74. Raise the hood and locate the pedal box just behind the left front fender. There are 4 screws holding the cover onto the box. After removing them, the pedals will be visible and you can see if the plunger on the brake pedal switch is working properly. If there is any question, unhook the switch and use a jumper wire to connect the two wires coming from the wiring harness. If the brake lights light, the switch is faulty.... MORE
TJ, Get out your BFH and give them a few smacks. They usually rust and fix themselves around the stud areas. Smack around the outside edge towards you/away from the drum. Biff Jones '59 Bugeye 'Kermit' '61 AH Sprite 'Ole Gray' in the "Healey Book" '71 Midget 'Freebie" http://sprites2.homestead.com/ "Biff" 32908... MORE
TJ, Forget the emergency brake and adjust the rear brakes first. When they are adjusted correctly see if that helps your gotta pump the brakes problem. If it dosen't then you probably have air in the system and will have to do a bleed to get it out. Also while you are at it pull the rear drums and check their inside diameter and the condition of the brake shoes. Really worn rear brakes (or rear brakes that need adjustment) will cause the pumping before they work problem. You said you have a firm pedal once pumped up so... MORE
Jeesh...the "Toyman" is literally falling apart here! Becoming a physical wreck long before his time. ( (Too many late nights, toking and drinking combined with weird sexual "gymnastics" and general "over-activity" I suspect?:) Anyway...the torque figures in the book for the head consist of two..."early" and "late" studs. I've always had the "late" studs and have always torqued to 50lbs. with the exception of my '74 Vizardized 1340 which ran 11.0-1, so we went to 60 on 10 studs, and 30 for the front "bolt". SLIGHT seepage of oil between the head and block is really nothing new or... MORE
OK, one more issue. Rear drums will not come off. The adjuster on the back side of the car seems frozen, and I can't pull the drums. I've tried to pry them, etc, but no dice. Any thoughts of how to get these off? '73 midget TJ "TJ Tryon, Jr." 32907... MORE
"We are in the process of relocating.... sporadic cell service" Ah...a "serious" matter, then. I'd go with Biff Jones idea for sure. A second distributor...all set up, spare spark plugs, spare fan belt, and a length of spare hose and ignition wire, spare fuel pump, and necessary small bag of tools. The all important flashlite of course and a portable starter/charger as well if you're really out there in the sticks. Of course... what will serve you best is a quality scheduled, preventive maintenance program (and the "right attitude" towards being "situationally aware" in terms of survival in the... MORE
David, Aha! I think you've got something. Yes, I think this must be my setup. I suppose since I've already purchased the Sprite hoses I may as well buy the banjo bolts and washers from Victoria British or Mo$$ (I like it - very appropriate!). Thanks for your help in clearing this up. Ken "kcarroll_184" 32899... MORE
Yes, I think they are stepped - I'm not taking mine off just to measure though! New ones were only $5.35 in my old copy of the Mo$$ Sprite catalogue. Having said all that, I came across something on the Mini-Mania site which describes a Minor conversion kit using Spridget hubs, discs and calipers, but still using the original Minor hoses. http://dealer.minimania.com/web/Item/DSK100/InvDetail.cfm and http://dealer.minimania.com/MM/Disc_brake_conversion_for_Minors__DSK100.htm Does this look like yours? David "David Jacobs" 32897... MORE
OK, working on the Midget again, it's running just peachy with the petronix. My last real issue before getting it road inspected is the brakes. There are 2 issues: 1. Brakes need to be pumped 2-3 times every time you need to stop to get full pedal. Once they are pumped, they are solid and do not go to the floor, no matter how hard they are pushed. I assume from this they are holding pressure. Additionally, they don't seem to be leaking anywhere. Next time you need to stop, you need to do pump them 2-3 times again.... MORE
Ken, you don't say where you are, but on the balance of probabilities, I'm going to guess (NOT assume!) at the US. The usual disc brake conversion on UK Minors is based on Marina parts. Since these were also sold in the States, it's possible that you have these calipers, but I don't know the part numbers. Is the hole in the caliper the same diameter as the hole in the banjo fitting? If so, it might be simpler to get hold of a couple of Spridget banjo bolt than to keep buying mystery hoses to try! Regards David... MORE
David, The threaded portion of the hose is .375" (3/8"). The hole in the banjo is .438" which seems like it would be sloppy, but I suspect the banjo bolt is stepped perhaps? Ken. "kcarroll_184" 32896... MORE
David, Yes, I'm in California. I have never seen a Marina here although I know that they were imported for a while. Why didn't I think of your suggestion? Good idea, although obtaining the banjo bolts might be tough over here - or at least not cheap! I'll mike them up regards, Ken "kcarroll_184" 32894... MORE
Hi, I have a pair of 8" (approx) disks on my 67 Morris Minor. I need to obtain new brake hoses for it and purchased Spridget ones thinking they'd be it. However the original hoses screw into the caliper whereas the replacement Spridget items have a banjo type fitting on one end. The Lockheed calipers are marked 3243-331C. Anyone know if these are in fact off a Spridget or something else? Thanks very much, Ken "kcarroll_184" 32888... MORE
FINALLY getting enough strength in my arms again to work on the car. Pulled ligament in right shoulder, and tennis elbow on left arm pretty much decimated my sex life. Um wait, that is another e group. Anyway, I think I have found the root cause of my oil problem. I put the head on, torque it down with my trusty Taiwanese click wrench to 42 pounds. They final torque at 50, so for shits and giggles, I got my $5 flea market Craftsman beam wrench. Believe it or not, my Taiwanese wrench was not torquing as tight as... MORE
