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I just heard the latest. It's from a Stevie Wonder tribute CD called...... Oh well, the song is a kickin' version of "Higher Ground". EC can still rock out. And he's still God! And Guy, I didn't think anybody but me still remembered Zappa, let alone actually listened to his stuff! I just finished rereading his autobiography. What a life!! What a character!! "COACHBAD" 23887... MORE
"Failure to pay full time attention" Well, this is BS, anyway, Ed. Many years ago the FAA passed a rule which prohibits all but operational conversation from the time the aircraft starts an engine 'til the time the last engine is shut down, except while the aircraft is stopped on the ground while in taxi mode, or for operations above 10,000 ft. while climbing or descending or in "cruise flight" below 10,000 ft. In terms of how easy one can be distracted, this says it all. For those who think they can talk while focusing (completely) on their driving....... MORE
Ed. I haven't done a sear but I'm applying POR over good metal, not lace doylies, so hopefully my *rs will stay about 6" above the ground , and the the good metal has a been treated with phosphoric acid where needed (similar to jenolite) I will hunt out some seam sealer and apply over primer, thanx guys. Alan "alan.east-jones" 23838... MORE
"Intercom helmets" Well, here in CT you have to wear a helmet. 'cause the cops don't know the speakers are in there? I mean, a helmet is a helmet and the wires are tiny and easily hidden? You know, I don't really know. I do know that in the case of a car, the cops will pull you over and ticket you for wearing a headset (both ears). Not at all sure of a single earpiece in the case of a car, especially since a lot of cell phones otherwise held by a "set" come with these. Cap'n. Bob... MORE
Has anyone tried setting up an output from a radio to provide a connection for an earpiece? Sort of like a m/c setup? Could I use the ordinary speaker output, wired into a jack plug socket, or would the output be too great for an ordinary earpiece? I fancy connecting to a socket which I could position in the inside face of the rear door post. Then I could use an ordinary in-the-ear unit with a jackplug. I know it wouldn't be stereo, unless I used 2, but in my case it still wouldn't be as I am almost... MORE
Alan It seems you're following in my footsteps or viceversa, having done/doing this exact same job myself. Perhaps you can benefit from my experience. First off, forget using any kind of power tool on the underseal its a waste of time. The technique that I found works reasonably well on removing the underseal is as follows, I'm afraid however you tackle this job, it's not pleasant, will take ages is boring and messy as hell. I found using a heat gun and scraper worked really well getting off the bulk of the underseal. Just heat it up enough for... MORE
Hi, I've just spent the afternoon sitting in the engine bay of the 72 midget scraping all the PO applied black underseal type paint . a.. I can't get it all off by grinding or scraping , it just goes gooey and spreads around and clogs the flap wheel. b.. Any ideas for removal ?, Petrol, flamethrower (Brad?), or just keep scraping and sanding? c.. When I did get some of it off, I found some hard cream coloured putty* had also been applied to some seams before the original spray coat.(Damask ). This did chip off however. d..... MORE
An alternative to the Miata seats are Fiero seats. I have them in my 74 Midget. They have a pair of speakers in each headrest. Additionally, Mr. Mike's has leather skins for the seats with the MG logo embroidered in. And for a small added charge you can get them with pre-cut holes at the shoulders for a 4 or 5 point harness set-up. I just haven't ponied up the cash for the leather yet. Tad R. Orlando, FL 69 MGC GT 74 RWA Midget "Richard Rivenbark" 23812... MORE
Mike writes: "Maybe the beast is supposed to feel like a go kart going down the road" You got it...that's exactly right. But, not "wondering" down the road, assuming the surface is smooth. It should go exactly where YOU point it and NOT the other way 'round. It should never feel as though the "tail is wagging the dog". On rougher surfaces the car will "move" sideways in a controlled manner as it "skips" over rougher pavement but it should never "wonder" or feel "loose", despite the fact road shock may be transmitted to the steerng wheel. Any "wondering"... MORE
Thanks Ed, I subscribe to Panda virus protection and it is very good about catching anything in emails and blocking it before it opens. Automatically updates daily so I have the latest information. I am able to see the name of the virus attachment but Panda has stripped the content so it cannot be opened. Being on cable modem I need good virus and firewall protection as I am on line full time. Don "Don May" 23749... MORE
A follow up on the steering wheel lock clicking. The lock plunger knocking back and forth in the slot on the steering shaft formed sharp ridges on the top edges of the slot which when the steering shaft turned wore down the softer aluminum housing enough that the steel plunger was left slightly above the level of the surround housing and it was catching momentarily in the steering column slot as the steering shaft turned. I removed the steering column and rather than drill out the break off bolts took my Dremal tool and used a small thin cut... MORE
Hi When I turn on the ignition switch, the starter motor starts the engine OK but stays engaged. Is this the ignition switch at about $180 or the solenoid at about $18? I suspect the switch as it doesn't spring back to the run position after holding it in the start position. It has to be manually turned back to the run position where the starter motor stays engaged at that time. Thanks Neil "Neil Hernan" 23722... MORE
I would suggest before you rush out to buy a new switch, disconnect the battery, spray plenty of WD 40 in it and work it back and forth repeatedly. Use plenty, enough to really flush it out. It's not that WD 40 is the best lube for a switch, but it won't hurt it and it will soften any old hardened oil and grime that may be causing it to stick. If it starts to work again flush it out again. You never know what previous owners have used to lube the switch if they did use oil it... MORE
The clutch problem sounds like you're losing pressure in the hydraulic system, try bleeding the system/replacing clutch fluid/checking Master/slave clutch cylinders are working correctly. The indicator lamp not flashing sounds either like a poor ground connection from flasher unit or faulty flasher unit - both fairly easy to fix. Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 23701... MORE
Actually I purchased a 1977 MG Midget for my wife for a graduation gift. It really is a nice car and I'm sure we'll have many hours of enjoyment riding around the country side. But alass, the first problem has cropped up, or should I say problems. When I tried the car out the clutch grabbed close to the floorboard. Not a big problem I thought due to the fact I hadn't driven it before and wasn't sure what was normal. Within a short period of time and not much driving it seems that I am having problems shifting... MORE
I opened a sticking tach and found the trouble to be a warped plastic bobbin that was used to form the wire coil on the end of the indicator pointer. The bobbin walls are very thin as it is mounted on the moving needle, heat and age deteriorate and warp it to a point that it strikes adjacent surfaces causing the indicator needle to stick. I was able to gently pry off the warped and brittle side walls of the bobbin which allowed free motion again. Would not recommend trying this to anyone unless they are very comfortable working... MORE
Well, sounds like I should go with the recore option. I ordered a rad from BPC, and it cost me $170 delivered. However, it is for the '75. The difference between the '75 and '76 and up models lies in the facts that the later model rad is about 2" wider, and the spill tank connection is larger. Therefore, it is assumed that cooling capacity is better in the later model rad, and I don't want to take the chance of trying to place the '75 rad in the car. Still trying to figure why the late model rads... MORE
My Dad has a 1971 Midget with a tach that won't register above 2500 rpm. The car runs great and I doubt the accuracy of the gage although it'd be nice to believe at cruise! The care has a generator. I see occasional reference to tach drive generators. Is there a way to adapt what we've got? Josh "olivaro" 23640... MORE
Rare car with Thomas Denner Bonnet. Togther $3500.00 Bonnet alone $1000.00 e-mail for photos, car is RHD, lots of new parts needs paint and wiring. "Michael" 23633... MORE
Yep, let the young bear the pain . . . after 65 life is too short for machismo. Does not help that when I was young, yes there was a time, I was a Gymnast and competed in tumbling and free exercise which is about as abusive on the wrist joints as any sport. Don "Don May" 23621... MORE
Bill, I happened to come across this on the Moss web site last week. http://www.mossmotors.com/MemberServices/TechTips/TechTipsArticle.aspx?TechTipID=9&ModelID=50000&SubcompCode=P000 Technical Tips & Assistance AH Sprite/MG Midget << Tech Tips << Categories << Articles Audible Directional Flasher Frank Lindauer Atlanta, GA Here's a tech tip for those of us whose hearing is not what it used to be when we were younger, or those of us who are younger and just can't hear the directional flasher or see the flasher indicator light, especially with a top down in daylight. Since the time delay, even when set at max, does not give a long flashing... MORE
Paul, Will try that asap. Assuming it's running lean enriching the mixture is the fix? FYI-Loved your GM alternator conversion. Saw your site, ditched the tired Lucas and am now running a Delco '62-80 pickup alternator (62 amps) and electrical problems are a thing of the past for under $100. Your site had great instructions on the how to as well as why. Thanks! Rob C 75 Midget robbiesg@... 23546... MORE
Kelly, don't take Ed too seriously, he is just a 'miserable sarcastic old git' but he does know a bit about cars. Although he is a bit difficult to follow at times, just take the good bits and forget the rest, and don't forget, it might just be a safety valve for him - he might just have had a bad day. Life is too short to get wound up over trivialities. It just doesn't lead anywhere. ps Hope your car is nearing completion and being back on the road. R. "Roger Stinson" 23561... MORE
Rick... Gerard is of course, correct, unless you are choosing between running a mechanical or electrical "puller", in place of the mechanical? Mechanical fans are mounted as close to the radiator as possible for maximum flow effect. And if you do decide to "replace" the mechanical rather than "supplement" it with a "pusher", you might as well order a larger 4.5" (Cooper S) water pump pulley and install same while you are "in there". And maybe even replace the old cast iron water pump with a "county" deep-impeller alum. one...without a water "bypass" for even better cooling in summer... MORE
I have a new Kenlowe kit, built to go in front of the radiator in my 71 crossflow 1275 Midget, but I'm interested in fitting the electric fan off a 89 Civic Si behind the rad if there's room. With my engine out, I can't measure the gap. The Honda unit looks far more robust an air mover, but will need a minimum or 4 and a half inches - 5'd be better. Could one of you boys 'n girls go measure? Sure would appreciate it. It's 86 degrees in my shop today - could be worse, eh? Thanks... MORE
