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Dear Listers, Based on traffic lately I don't know who's out there but here goes anyway: My brake light switch has passed on. Ordered a new one from Vicky B and have run into a problem. The manuals I have (Haynes and Official Shop) want one to unscrew the pedal box surround to get the clearance necessary to screw in the new switch without interference. Sounds OK but on inspection it appears my surround is welded down. Short of breaking the welds I don't see any way to screw in the new switch without hammerassing (sp?) it in and... MORE
Jim, I might share with you the start up procedure my dad taught me. I think it works well for older rebuilt motors, not the new crate motors of today etc. When ready to start, add regular oil, 30w or even 20w single weight out of the ground oil. Pull plugs after static timing, a squirt of oil in the cylinders, crank engine with plugs out and ignition off until you see oil pressure. Even better to have the valve cover off to make sure oil reaches the rockers. Put in plugs and valve cover. Put pans of tap... MORE
Hi Everyone, I'm new to the list and happy to have found you guys. I have a 62 Sprite (1098) that is in pretty good, 'hobbyist' level shape that I am trying to bring back to a professional level of quality. I've owned several brit cars over the years - Midgets and Spitfires. This is my first Austin Healey. My sprite looks great at about 10 feet but when you get a little closer, you can see the substandard body work ripples in the back. It has mismatched door releases, and late model seats. Beyond that, it runs good... MORE
A big-time lawyer from New York City went duck hunting in rural Texas. He shot and dropped a bird, but it fell into a farmer's field on the other side of a fence. As the lawyer was climbing over the fence, the very elderly farmer on whose property the duck had fallen drove up on his tractor and asked him what he was doing. The lawyer responded, "I shot a duck and it fell in this field, and now I'm going to retrieve it." The old farmer replied, "This is my property, and you are not coming over here."... MORE
Hi, Jed! I live in a nice neighborhood, and my `79 Midget is garaged. However, I sometimes park in less than desirable areas and I have had issues with young jerks throwing beer cans, McDonald's waste, etc. into the cockpit of my car if not covered with a tonneau - in broad daylight in mall parking lots, etc.!! Also had a radio stolen once (before the car was garaged). The idiots tore open the top with a knife to crawl into the cockpit and ripped out the entire console. Radio was a Blaupunt with a "code," so it was... MORE
Brad - I've owned several 914's? Some people don't consider them true Porsche's though? Currently have a junk one I picked up for the running gear... Later Rick Bender "Rick Bender" 37894... MORE
G'day guys Here's a little story that deserves to be told. Way back last August, I bought a used Datsun 5-speed box in the US, and had it shipped to Paul Asgeirsson at Morriservice to be rebuilt. A mate of mine was coming home from the US, and between the two of us we arranged Paul to supply two 5-speed conversion kits, my gearbox and another one for my mate. Well eventually they arrived, and in March my 5-speed Datto box and a kit went to another mate (Steve) 600 miles away, down in Melbourne. Steve fitted it to... MORE
Hi, Appolgies for a simple question but I'm a novice :) I've just damaged my back trying to locate the fuel pump on my '73 Midget. I believe pump may be faulty. (Car won't start & no "ticking sound" from rear end when ignition is first turned on. Thanks "johnco89" 37874... MORE
any gear oil in it. any advise on this is welcome. I have restored many many cars in my time including lots of engine rebuilds, but have never had to tear into a tranny. sounds like these are pretty easy though. or if someone happens to have a good used laying around let me know. that way I can get on the road for this summer. otherwise it will probably be a winter project for me. I'm in CO by the way thanks in advance mike "mblotz" 37824... MORE
Bruce, Just completed an "as original as possible" rebuild onto a Heritage shell - 700 miles later and nothing has fallen off yet. My original but tired 1275 was rebuilt by me - with the aim of extracting a few more HP and some extra torque 2500 - 6000 rpm. My spec is a.. 020" rebore (1293 cc) b.. 9.75 :1 CR pistons c.. MG Metro large valve cylinder head with mild port and polish d.. MG Metro single HIF44 carb "Vizarded" (butterfly knife-edged, spindle trimmed and waisted, screws trimmed and Loctited, bridge lowered) e.. Titan Motorsport inlet manifold,... MORE
I'm selling my AH Sprite MKII and all the bits I've built up over the 45 years of ownership. Spare 948cc spare smooth case gearbox etc. Spare Diff (long ratio) etc. The car is in Chester UK and fully taxed & MOT'd rallied two weeks ago and came 3rd in class on the HRCR Leukaemia rally. All metal, no rust, sensible money. Pictures available. "gerald_r_simpson" 37765... MORE
Put it into reverse gear, then push start it backwards!! It works, because I had to do this to my Honda Z600 when it went wrong many years ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Margaret South Lincolnshire (UK) "May you be in Heaven half an hour before the Devil knows you're dead" mmbrock88@... 37651... MORE
Only the syncro has a short life span, the box itself will normally go on for years. The same can be said of the rib case!. One other thing, it should be filled with engine oil, not gear oil, only the later 1500 midgets have gear oil in the transmision. Stewart "Ford Prefect" 37588... MORE
The Haynes manual is ok for the gearbox, but not really adequate for a complete rebuild of the diff. You need all the crown wheel and pinion setting information, most of which is in the factory manual; however, even this source has a couple of critical bits of info missing, which are the sizes of gauge blocks for setting the crownwheel and pinion positions. However, you can easily go some way to taking up some of the slack and at little cost, too. The thrust washers for the spider gears can be replaced without too much difficulty. Let me... MORE
There's more than one way to skin this cat, including doing it yourself with the help of some shop manuals. The Haynes manual is probably adequate. Your local machine shop might be entirely competent to repair/rebuiild your tranny and diff. Then again they may not be. You could try just asking them whether they are competent. If they really are a good shop, they will tell you the truth. Amother, probably better, alternative would be to send both the tranny and diff to someone who has done many of these. I think it's likely that would produce the best... MORE
I bed to differ, the flywheen on the 948 is IIRC much deeper, and it hits the back of the bell housing with the ribcase gearbox or it did when I tried to do it (I eneded up taking the flywheel and back plate off the blown 1098) The 948 that was in my frogeye (which also has a ribcase geabox) that I repeleced with a 1275 also had a 1098 flywheel As for the later gearboxes allgedely superior blauk ring syncro, wears out just as quickly. There are only two reasons to fit the ribcase, you are fitting... MORE
Flywheels are matched to the engine, NOT to the transmissions!! Putting a ribcase on a 948 requires a thick back plate as the input shaft protrudes forward of the case more. Some will bottom out in the crankcase and there will be no neutral and soon no input shaft bearing!! Later gearboxes have superior baulk rings for synchronizing gears, the early ones have brass cones as synchronizers. They don't work very well unless you drive like great great aunt Matilda!! Then nothing is important but to get out of her way, and damn the synchros!! Paul A "Paul Asgeirsson"... MORE
I hate to be doing this, but I own a 1962 Sprite and I am looking for a a good home for it. I got it in 1970 and in 1975 the rear axle broke. It has sat in a garage up until 5 years ago and is now under a tarp. I do not have the time or place to restore the car myself and having a pro do the work is out of my budget. The car is still in pretty good shape. but the longer it sits the worse it will get. I am willing to... MORE
A great idea - except for one thing - it doesn't work. For those of you who DO want to know how hot dogs are made: I drove around for a good while to make sure everything under the hood (er, bonnet), was up to normal op temps. Air temp 82F Water temp 180F (you metric guys will have work out C, or K or Under hood temp 130F whatever for yourselves) Then made 8 runs, 2 East and 2 West with underhood air intake and 2 East and 2 West with wheel well air intake. WOT @ 2000... MORE
The obvious answer is a before and after test with a dyno/rolling road, but there are pitfalls here for the unwary - your car will be stationary rather than moving through the air, though a blower is usually directed at the radiator/engine bay. The bonnet will also be open rather than closed, so airflow into your cold air intake might not be the same. These changes in operating conditions can all affect the HP, though if you endeavour to keep the same conditions, you might pick up a difference due to the new intake. On the other hand, if... MORE
G'day Mark Jon is correct - that's pretty much the way they are. However, it isn't pretty much the way they WERE. First gear will be a LITTLE bit noisier when the gearbox is in good condition, but certainly not a LOT noisier. Added to the symptom of jumping out of gear (which it should NEVER do) you should budget for a greabox rebuild really soon. If you don't, the bits of metal coming off 1st gear will get tangled in the bearings and other gears, and your repair bill will be higher when you eventually get to it.... MORE
Mine does that all the time if I forget to change gear. Usually when I drive the Midget after prolonged use of an automatic Margaret South Lincolnshire (UK) "May you be in Heaven half an hour before the Devil knows you're dead" mmbrock88@... 37470... MORE
I am looking at a 71 midget to purchase. When I drove it 1st gear seemed much noisier than the other 3 gears. Just a typical "gear" noise. It also tended to pop out of 1st gear if left in "too long". Is this normal or a sign of a failing 1st gear. Thanks Mark "markpicu" 37464... MORE
Mark, Yup, that is pretty much the way they are. Think of first as only to get you rolling then go to second. First is always noisier but the popping out is a sign it's got wear. Also never sit with your foot on the clutch at a light or such as it doesn't have a real throwout bearing and it will wear out fast. Just use the clutch to put it in gear and get moving. Jon "Jon Paschke" 37465... MORE
Thanks, mitch. Your suggestion worked perfectly. Actually I just used a couple wire ties to hold the tranny up, and the engine slipped right back in - no sweat. (Sorry, Ed). I'd also like to put in a plug for a new-to-me parts supplier. When I had the engine sitting on the floor, I realized I should have ordered a new flywheel ring gear. The usual suspects - Moss, VB, MH are all three day's shipping from me, and I was anxious to get it back together, so I called Gordon at The B-Hive (800-652-4483) in Clemson, SC, just... MORE
