MAIN
Electrical System
Next Page
I connected the amp's sense cable to the accessory fuse on the fuse box. It now works! The only odd thing is that it does not come on at the key's accessory position, but the "on" position. This seems to be the case with other "accessories", like my electric radiator fan. Is there some sort of issue here? BTW, there seems to be no requrement for grounding the sense cable individually; there is one big ground cable from the amp for the whole thing. Now that I know that it can work in this way, I may connect the... MORE
G'day Guys Now if you don't want the Sprite Mk 2 transistor radio I advertised, here is another rare accessory. With a little effort you can probably convert it to use a 9V battery and take it with you to the next Concours. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4397447720&category=43526&rd=1 avagoodday Colin "Colin Dodds" 38033... MORE
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
In an effort to keep things looking reasonably original, I am planning to re-do my beat-up console and install an NOS AM radio, map light, etc. into my 78 midget. I also have a nice amp tucked under the passenger seat that was last used with the cassette player that used to live in the car. My intention is to have the AM radio work as designed with a little speaker in the console, and use the amp, with speakers mounted behind, with a portable device of some sort, probably an mp3 player. MY QUESTION IS, what do I... MORE
I have a 76 midget. I have restored it from the ground up. Right now I have tried to replace the rod bearings but can't find any to fit. Victoria Brittish has sent me every one of thiers and none fit. It is a 1500 but the new bearings are too wide to fit. Any help? "marcwb2" 38004... 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
I suspect it's a Gold Seal or Silver Seal replacement unit, though I think 'RKM' part numbers were used for these. A couple of questions should identify it; does it have the 1275 tag or if not, removable tappet covers on the manifold side of the block? Does it have the oil filter head unit with the filter hanging off it, forward of the distributor (=Spridget), or is the filter sticking directly out of the block near the distributor? ( Marina) The only vehicles which used 'inline' 1275 engines were Spridgets and Marinas, so it is probably going to... MORE
G'day all Well this guy describes this as: 3000 MkI MkII MkIII Sprite Healey bugeye bj8 bn1/bn2 and it isn't, but isn't it wonderful? Someone must want to buy it! Can't you just see it with a small block Chevy and air suspension? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Very-Early-Austin-complete-rolling-chassis-Vintage-part_W0QQitemZ7989430709QQcategoryZ33615QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Now this is an incredible item. It is a blanking plug that replaces the distributor. WOW, just think how long each tank of gas will last! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7989275125&category=72205&rd=1 avagoodday Colin "Colin Dodds" 37990... MORE
A good many new cars come with Mobil 1 as the original factory fill, no special oil for break in. For a complete rebuild to factory or better tolerances, I'd think 10W30, but you might prefer 15W50. Since the price of petroleum oil has increased so much, and Mobil 1 is $4/qt at Wal-Mart, I've started running it in everything, Sprite, Caddy, Volvo, lawn mowers, generator. Keeps things simple. An early (500 miles?) oil change might be a good idea, sort of just in case there's something unexpected left in the engine. I once did an instrumented test with... MORE
I need to fix my dangling wiper stalk. The plastic block that it sets into has cracked more or less in half. The broken piece is gone. I can set the stalk in place "just for show" but can't use it. So then, short of replacing the whole thing (which would be a bit of overkill as the thing would work fine if I can just get it to stay in place) I figure I will need an adhesive that can: - be thick enough to mold into a shape. - be strong enough to tolerate the stress involved... MORE
Some may remember my telling of my purchase on Ebay of an Haynes MGB manual, and a Haynes Weber manual (includes SU and Stromberg) at a good price. Well, the seller, Bookmarz, has apparently just given them to me free. I tracked them when they didn't show up in 10 days, and got a form letter email back telling me how to trace the shipment on their web page. I waited a couple of days and tried again, and when no info showed on the tracking site, I emailed a complaint. They sent the same form letter again and... 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
Just realised the stalks on the dizzys are different lengths - maybe I should just go buy an electronic ignition kit! Regards Chris wire it housing - them. "closrheidol" 37842... MORE
First, have you converted to negative earth? If not, you may well have some trouble with this! For the connections, the easiest way is to see if you can find a post '85 Metro or 1.3 Maestro in a scrapyard (shouldn't be too hard - can't be many running still!) and cut the relevant bit of the wiring loom off, with moulded one-way connector still attached. Hopefully, it should have a black wire (earth), a white wire (coil +ve or SW terminal) and a white with black tracer (coil -ve or CB terminal). Hope this helps. Regards David "David... MORE
Hi all I have a dizzy with an electronic module built in (on the side), probably from a 1275 metro or mini engine. Has anyone fitted one of these to a frogeye - if so, how do I wire it in? There are three electrical spade connections within a plastic housing - but no identification on them as to what should be connected to them. Any help appreciated Chris South Wales '58 frogeye "closrheidol" 37831... MORE
My 76 1500 has a original lucas (as far as I know) and it does have a vacuum line from carb to distributor. "Kevin Gastin" 37825... MORE
this might be a dumb question, but is there supposed to be a vacuum line between the distributor and the carb, or not? It's got the Opus distrib, and the vacuum port on both the carb and the distrib are blanked off. Is this okay, or did the DPO screw it up? I know I can run with the EGR not hooked up (NH- no emissions inspections) but could this be the source of the car running really lean? Thanks in advance, George "chuibuddy" 37823... MORE
what size engine. Makes looking for one a lot easier. Exhaust manifold for 73-74 1275 engine, only fitted for short time and bolt exhaust fixing rather than clamp. Can't seem to find one anywhere......... "Bruce" 37821... MORE
Jim, I would be thrilled if I owned a BE that would be good enough to qualify as a "Trailer Queen". Or could it be a "Trailer King"? Bob Brad, Me-thinks you are a little harsh on the owner of a "Trailer Queen". It actually could be some one like me ( it isn't, but it could be), who scrimps every dime to make his car as perfect as humanly possible, over many years, skinned knuckles, pissed off wife, depleted check book and someone who values perfection. He trailers his car, and never drives it for fear of a... MORE
Brad, Me-thinks you are a little harsh on the owner of a "Trailer Queen". It actually could be some one like me ( it isn't, but it could be), who scrimps every dime to make his car as perfect as humanly possible, over many years, skinned knuckles, pissed off wife, depleted check book and someone who values perfection. He trailers his car, and never drives it for fear of a stone ding, or dust on the under side of the correct SU fuel pump. He perhaps wins shows and honors due to his years of hard work and care... MORE
I have a 75 which was the first year electronic ignition was available. My car was a basket case when purchased. I put in a new solenoid and installed an aftermarket ignition box either Pertronix or Mallory (I forget which) as I was so new to it at the time I had the work done. That fixed things. It's probably a good idea to replace the solenoid on principle (they're inexpensive) and see where that gets you. IF that doesn't help I would recommend putting in a new ignition module and coil. It's more money but you can forget... MORE
Hi, I am a new MG owner and know NOTHING about them. Mine does not run... Was told it ran great last fall, but it had an over heating problem. Engine cranks, but has no spark at the coil. When testiong for power at the positive side of coil it shows none... so I ran a hot wire from the battery to the coil and it started... but only ran less than a minute and it stalled... tried to restart and it had no spark... I disconnected the power wire... rehooked and it started again for a few seconds.... MORE
About a week ago there was a short discussion concerning good car related reading material. The magazine "Classic Auto Restorer" was mentioned and recommended by several people. I have a collection of 112 issues that I do not want to move with me to Lower Michigan. Therefore, I have put them on Ebay. If interested see item: 7984444496. Tim Collins Dollar Bay, MI 1966 AH Sprite "Timothy H. Collins" 37744... MORE
Thanks, Colin. All the experts seem to agree on knurling. I've had it apart enough times that it's no big deal to take it apart again. There's an ancient but good auto machine shop which I'm certain will have a collection of knurling tools. In fact it's so old that when a friend took a generator in for rebuild, the machinist there took one look at it and asked, "Where did you get a '39 LaSalle?" On the other hand, my daughter thinks I need all the latest gadgetry, so presented me with an iPod for my birthday last... MORE
When converting to neg ground the only concern is the tach, oh, and radio, if so equipped Brad "" 37632... MORE
