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Button? Tab? I have no such device on my '78 midget. Then again, I have a Moss Motors replacement ignition. Then again, I don't recall a button on the old ignition. FWIW, here is a picture of my old ignition, from when I was having my broken-key problem... Does your ignition look different? http://www.1978mgmidget.com/key_wont_turn.jpg Steve Steven Michelsen 38040... MORE
Sprite 1300? would that be a 1275? Stewart "Ford Prefect" 38037... MORE
I'm running one of the low pressure Purolators on my 1275. It's now about 10 years old, and still works perfectly. Don't know the present price, but ten years ago it was $29 at Advance Auto Parts, so I bought two; the spare is still in the boot. This is the same pump which Mo$$ gets nearly $100 for. "joe blxfstz" 38034... 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
This is what has happened to the original numberplate, the rivet holes are still there! but I don't understand the number teaped in afterwards, you would have thought they would have put the original number back but it doesn't seem to relate to any 1275 engine. "Bruce" 38002... MORE
Inline and transverse blocks are not easily interchangeable, it needs some machining work plus the relevant crank, so it's unlikely you've ended up with an MG1300 block. The 12G is probably part of a casting number or something. If the block top face has been machined flat at any time, it will most likely have lost it's original number tag. Mine did, though I've still got it somewhere, albeit slightly chewed up by the milling machine! Regards David "David Jacobs" 37999... 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
I have dug around some more and my latest thinking is that it may be from the MG1300! The block has a cast 12G on it at the rear below the manifolds which seems to indicate it is from the MG1300 saloon but I need to confirm this is what it means as I don't know if inline and fwd blocks could be interchangeable? It does have the standard head with correct size valves for the Midget, corrrect size bores and no tappet covers for a 1275 and oil filter forward of the dizzy. It does seem to be... MORE
I am just checking through the various numbers on my Midget and don't understand the engine numbers. The head is right, a 12G940 casting, but the engine number is marked as CKM211293S which makes no sense to me and I can't find anything on the net. Assuming it is from another type of car and has been changed out in the past (the logbook lists engine number 1854 as fitted), what is it? Any ideas??? "Bruce" 37992... 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
I got some racing 13x6s made by Aero for $40 a piece - the good news/bad news was that I had to replace my studs with 7/16" ones so I could run the correct lug nuts (1"). I had to find a dealer willing to call the factory for them. Bart makes some as well, but they were out of them right now. Jackie Cooper "Jackie Cooper" 37976... MORE
Correctomundo, Joe.....2000rpm for 20 mins. or so per Beckers. Jim got the motor built/intalled at APT (not Rivergate as I thought...it's got a Rivergate Datsun 5 spd. though) so no doubt initial (cam) run in has already been accomplished by Mr. Anto n & Co. :) (That was some story about radio installation, BTW....bad day, obviously!) Cap'n Bob Basic Frog "Robert E. Shlafer" 37974... MORE
Good point, cap'n. I remember reading somewhere that following installation of a new cam it was recommended to run the engine at a fast (2000 rpm) idle for the first few minutes on initial start up. "joe blxfstz" 37966... MORE
Jim...what Colin said. :) Do NOT use a low-friction oil in your (older) rebuilt motor or the rings will more than likely NOT "seat" as the bores will more than likely "glaze" and you'll have a "re-do" on your hands. Use a normal 10W-40wt mineral based "SF" oil for break-in. Change out filter and oil within 100 miles (to remove initial metal contamination) and again at 400 more miles for the same reason. After initial 500 mile break-in (don't forget to re-torque the head and re-adjust the valves accordingly...then the carbs.) The "new" factory motors are a different story... MORE
G'day Jim Joe's correct when he says :"A good many new cars come with Mobil 1 as the original factory fill" However, these cars were/are designed for light weight synthetic oils. For example, often you will find overhead camshafts running directly in aluminium cylinder heads, with no intervening bearing material. Your car was designed with larger tolerances, and required a heavier grade oil. Rebuilding it doesn't change that. We use a standard mineral based oil (Penrite HPR30 which is 20W60 weight) in both road and race engines, and never have a problem with it. About 12 months ago we... 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 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
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
Interesting little snippet Look about half way down the text. Rgds AlanEJ Which leaves the MG brand =96 and the basis for an ambitious proposal headed by David James CBE, the `corporate doctor' credited with saving the Millennium Dome. The plan is called `Project Kimber', after MG's Founder Cecil Kimber, and aims to "acquire the brand and core assets of the best-known small sports car in the world". And then? Recommence TF production and contract out the design of a three- model range (including new MG B, GT and Midget) which, by 2009, will have a 160mph Porsche Cayman-rivalling... MORE
"...or am I being over-cautious?" I don't know. You like being in the position of the engine quitting suddenly and arbitrarily at any given point in the t ime/space continuum due to fuel starvation??? Gimme a break!!! Replace the damn thing with a modern "electronic" (point-less) solid state pump and move on. :) Cap'n Bob Basic Frog "Robert E. Shlafer" 37918... MORE
Mike, My 75 had the manual choke but I would recommend using a stock set up first and then make improvements. Manual conversion kits are readily available from Vicky B anyway. You SHALL NOT remove the gearbox unless thou has first shifted the motor to a special place........... outside the car. If you're sticking with the Stromberg definitely buy the tool. Rob C-FINALLY enjoying his Midget Webfoot Leisure.com Your Local Pool Store-On the Web rob@... 866-530-9801 toll free " robbiesg@... " 37913... MORE
Hello all, I have a running MG Midget convertible, in excellent condition, that I love to death but am really needing to sell. I bought this car on Ebay last year, but have never driven it openly (by which I mean on public roads), had it insured, or had the title put in my name (I suffer from lack of funds). My brother has driven it, and says it handles quite well... the only defects we know of are: a minor hole in the exhaust pipe, a broken parking brake, and a leak in the braking system near the... MORE
Ah yes, I'd forgotten to mention the Metro one will be for an A+ engine. I understand they CAN be made to fit the earlier engine, but I can't remember exactly how! Regards David "David Jacobs" 37844... 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
