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Some of you may already know of this book I found in Warwick Library today. Written by Anders Ditlev Clausager who was the archivist at the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust at Gaydon, Warwickshire. SPRITES AND MIDGETS, The complete story Published by Crowood autoclassics ISBN # 1-85223-509-8 It contains similar info. to Horlers book plus more, I like the copies of the adverts and techie pics. Alan "alan.east-jones" 31639... MORE
As I inspected the transmission area on the sprite I noticed an extra hole on each side of the tunnel at about where the shift stick protrudes. Looks like the holes have pop rivet covers, about 6x6 inches, in place. Is this supposed to be or are they likely a PO's access places? cheers, bill b 1969 Sprite (Bilby) /\ /\ o o 0 William Burrell 31630... MORE
I am not being funny or rude, but have you considered a 1275 powered & chrome bumpered vehicle ? As you seem keen on competition, an early car is always going to be faster, handle better & more powerful. Do not get me wrong I do not have grudge against rb cars, its just more bang for you buck RB cars are fine for the road, but not for comp. As you would know if you have watched state/national level competion. Regards Beckers 1330 "beckers" 31587... MORE
Or "keep it in the family" and fit an MG Metro 6R4 powertrain. 2996 cc V6 engine Mid engine, rear wheel drive giving 0 to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds. Developed in 1985 so almost contemporary with the last of the Midgets. Not much even 20 years later can match that acceleration! Guy "Guy Weller" 31616... MORE
And I thought 1600 was the absolute maximum an A-Series block could be taken out to.. (only if you have the rights one IIRC) Stewart "Ford Prefect" 31611... MORE
I did consider it and even spent time looking for a decent car to buy but all the ones i looked at werent up to it unfortunately. ( i was very disapointed at what was on offer to be honest, and i was looking at paying pretty much top money) The thing is, i've owned the 1500 for a long time which makes it harder to part with. (i'll be the first to admit this is among the worst reasons i know of for keeping a car) although a bonus is that at least i know that the car... MORE
I finally got time to go a little further into my stuck in first sprite problem. I still would like to drive it around while I save up for the 5speed conversion. Which by the way seems to be better for the "fabricatingly challenged" than are the other options, although that big ole Toyota dual overhead cam job looks like fun. I removed the Gaiter retaining plate, Gaiter and draught excluder (sheesh, looked like the shifter housing and rubber do dad to me.) I think some parts are missing. Like the thrust button and spring. Looking down into the... MORE
I guess what I will do, until I can find a goo dused one, is to just bypass the valve. I will plug the hose going from the valve to the heater, and use s fitting to connect to hose from the engine to the carburator thermostat(?). That way the system shoudl work just as if the heater valve was closed. I think... "Michael" 31581... MORE
Why stop there, lets go all the way. There were several conversions in the '80s (I think Renault???) where they set up an unlimited rally car where they hopped up the front engine, front wheel drive, then built an identical engine/tranny drive and put it in the rear. Just connected the throttles and the shift linkage and clutches together. They locked the steering in the rear and presto. a 500 or 600 HP rocket ship 4 wheel drive rally car. And if you blew an engine, you could still keep on driving!!!!! So all we have to do is... MORE
"...seal it off completely..." This will detract from the engine's ability to cool itself uniformly. Better to come up with a fitting which will allow flow from rear of engine back to water pump via "normal" means and leave the heater out of the equation altogether. Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 31588... MORE
Hi, I am new, and I am a spridget-holic. Now that that is out of the way.... I am rebuilding the 1275 out of my 73 RWA and I want to upgrade the transmission to a 5 speed. I hear of a Toyota (2T) from perhaps the Celica(? - but what year?). I have been referred to a company in Australia, Dellow Automotive [ www.dellowauto.com.au ], that sells conversion kits for what they call the 2T or 3T transmission but it is too pricy to ship to me. See, I am in the US. Toyota gurus here don't know... MORE
Tuesday I was minding my own business, quite literally I was looking for a new site for a lumberyard in a community we don't have one. I decided to take a detour on my way out of town to look at job site we were supplying. This detour took me past the local General Motors dealer. There, in the used car section between all the Chevrolets and Buicks was a 1972 or 1974 (don't even remember the year now) MGB-GT. I made a prompt U-turn and went back to investigate. It started with about 35-40 pounds of oil pressure,... MORE
I think you may have problems getting an A-series to 2000cc to be honest, Bob. In fact, I don't think it's actually possible - the biggest I've heard of is around 1450 cc. Be sure to let us know how you get on, though. And 400 bhp sounds a tad optimistic to me - where do you get that figure from? I wouldn't expect more than 325 myself. ;^) S "Steve and Sue Clark" 31552... MORE
How I came to a Midget...? A few years ago, my brother gave me a 1975 FIAT X1/9. He was having some problems with it. I got those fixed. It was a fun little car. Like a go cart, but street legal. Well, one day I was driving around town and happened to look in the rear view mirror. All I saw was flames and smoke. Now, mind you, the only thing between me and the fire, was the gas tank. YIKES!! I thought to myself, "So this is how it's going to end. Riding a flaming FIAT into... MORE
Hi Michael Blanking off the pipes would do the trick and thats what I did initially. I used a couple of suitably tight fitting bolts held in place with jubilee clips...a very nice job or so I thought until the chilly Autumn came! "James" 31533... MORE
This all just goes to prove that we must be careful what we say on this list. Some people out there believe almost anything some people say. What fun! Hmmmmm...spacer under the head and a huge stroker crank....perhaps from a large block Chevy with 427 pistons? Could happen...Hmmmmm...! Cheers Bob in San Diego "Robert D. Gardner" 31566... MORE
Hi These heater taps are no longer in production, I had the same trouble with mine. I bought a nice looking second hand one complete with the mounting bracket and the little metal pipe that goes on the other side, but that too leaked...even worse than the original!! In the end I used my existing metal pipe and the metal pipe from the new (second hand)one to essentially bypass the tap altogether. The heater is now permanatly on and I control the airflow by pulling out the heater control on the dash and by opening/shutting the footwell flaps. This... MORE
hi, Im in the process of pulling the engine from the car (1500) so it can be rebuilt. While it and the box are out it seems like the ideal time to change the box. However, im presented with a dilema. the purpose of rebuilding the engine is so i can run the car in sprints and hillclimbs so the close ratio box is pretty attractive, however, the ford box is still a closer ratio set than the original and has the added attraction of the extra gear for better cruising. Having said that the Moss close ratio box... MORE
Current theory states that it is much better to leave on and if you must, just run a loop of heater hose from the in to the out. It really helps to get cooling to the back of the motor. Bob in San Diego "Robert D. Gardner" 31554... MORE
Some people actually do believe what we say on this list, ...no matter how far the tongue is inserted in the cheek..! I am going to re build my A series engine up to 2 liters and get 400 horse power out of it, including 450 psi oil pressure. Cheers, Bob in San Diego "Robert D. Gardner" 31550... MORE
Trevor - The original motors are from (not sure of the years and model types) something like 61 to 64 Buick Skylark sedans (I believe mines a 64), I think how the story goes is after the Buick 215 V8 went out of production the tooling was sold to Rover and is now known as the Rover aluminum 3.5 litre V8. Some parts are interchangeable between the motors, I plan on using polished Rover valve covers. I have some photos of the car (complete with mouse nest in the engine compartment) if you are interested.... Later Rick B. "Rick... MORE
Listers - I posted a message a few weeks back about attempting to get a proper title for my 75 Midget, without much luck... Yahooooiiiieeeee ! The title arrived in the mail a couple of days ago! After 4 calls to the local and state DMV offices, I finally talked to someone who new what was going on and gave me the direct line of the lady who handles such things, sent me the proper papers and local police officer inspected the VIN numbers signed the papers and bingo.... Guess it pays to talk to the proper people. Been... MORE
The thermostat closes at 170 degrees F. Which means the rubber hose (engine to thermostat) will always be heated to 170 degrees, and the hoses from the thermostat to the oil cooler, sometimes. Rubber at 170 degrees is very pliable and any week spots which develop over time, will blow at the worst possible time and place. With the braided hoses, it will help keep the hose from expanding, forming a bubble at 70-80 lbs of pressure, and blowing a large hole. Replace them when you replace your radiator hoses and you shouldn't have a problem. I have 1500... MORE
'cause Robert... the oil filter isn't "100%" any more than anything else is. Why would you even want to take the chance of possibly introducing "abrasives" into your engine's lifeblood to begin with? Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 31477... MORE
G'day Ben I have a mate who melted his engine bearings three times in three successive race meetings, before he discovered the problem. The first melt-down was due to oil surge on corners, and he thought he had fixed that by putting a baffle in the sump. Two more melt-downs later, he discovered the oil cooler was clogged with the metal powder from the melted bearings. Don't ever use a second hand oil cooler. And don't forget you will need to buy the oil hose adaptor to the block, and the adaptor to the oil filter. avagoodday Colin "Colin@SpriteParts"... MORE
