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David There are lots of things that happened at that time that don't make any sense. The fact that they used up old parts stocks on newer models didn't make any sense (well it did to them financially) but not to the newer model of car. They simply used whatever engine paint was to hand and thats what the engine and ancillary components were painted in. My carburettor heatshield for example is also painted in that metallic green paint - that doesn't make any sense either. It's just the way it was, and will probably be the only explanation... MORE

I saw it and it doesn't make sense. Ed's ranting actually makes a bit more sense, as the MGC/Austin 3 litre 'new C-Series' engine was supposedly a replacement for the one fitted to Austin Westminsters and 6 cyl Big Healeys so it follows that it would be the same colour. But it still doesn't tell the whole story, as you'd have expected all previous Spridget engines to be painted this same light metallic green/gray instead of the plain darker green as used on Morris Minors etc; alternatively why didn't they carry on with the original green? After all, they... MORE

Ed I didn't get it wrong at all, I don't know why you're getting so excited. It may well be 'officially' called Austin-Healey light green, but the reason it's also known as MGC metallic green, is because at the factory when they painted the MGC engines they used this colour, and it also seemed logical that they also paint the Midget engines with it as well, note the way round that is. Ed, please note here that we're talking MG as in MG Midget and MGC, nothing at all to do with Austin Healey, hence the colour being known... MORE

I used POR 15 in my wheel wells and part of the engine compartment this summer and had some of it become bubbly as it cured. When I talked to their techies I was told that this was probably due to the humidity being too high and the surface was setting up before the lower material and this created problems for the material below the surface. He had me sand the bubbles with 320 sandpaper and redo it. I plan to use their engine kit when I get to working on the engine. Their Austin Healey green should look... MORE

Tomorrow I am going to start painting my engine with a POR engine kit. Are there any fatal errors I should avoid? Thanks Steve Quandt "Steve Quandt" 26857... MORE

If anyone would like to toss me a bone on one, some or all of these questions I'd appreciate it very much. If I can figure out how to post pictures in the Photos section I'll put up some 'before' and 'after' of the engine bay. I didn't have a camera available to take any 'before' pictures of the motor but I'll try posting some of the 'POR-15' painted 'after' pictures. BTW, if anyone is getting ready to paint their engine Black and would like to give POR-15 a try let me know. The Engine Painting kit provides enough... MORE

Eeg I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but you've done it the wrong way round. It's not always easy to know which bits come first, but any major structural bodywork on one of these cars has to happen around the door gaps and door frame. The correct sequence is to first repair the door frame then refit a new skin. Now you have a correct door to use as a template for getting the door gaps correct. Once you have the door gaps correct, you repair the inner A post, and inner sill. Now you have a... MORE

Ok...I get the Castrol 20w50 and put it in the engine. Crank her up and she hums just sweeeeet. So, I go out to drive her. When I push in the clutch she idles down way low like something's dragging on the engine and the little red ignition light comes on. I give her a little gas and we seem to be fine. No problems putting her into gear so I go for a drive around the block. I get to the end of the street and can't get her in first. I get her in second and we... MORE

Well, in that case, I do, I use 20/50 oil in the engine and gearbox. I still use some Duckhams 20/50 I bought a year or two ago. R "Roger Stinson" 26821... MORE

Thanks Nigel, Yes, sentimentality does enter into it. My father gave me this Sprite as a high school graduation present some 23 years ago. He actually gave it to me in pieces, and we rebuilt it together, which brought us closer, considering I was living with my mother after their divorce. So it's not just a car, it's a family heirloom! In the last three years I have installed performance suspension front and rear, uprated brakes, Weber, and LCB exhaust header. Now the drivetrain is out to rebuild the engine and install the Datsun 5- speed. Looking more closely... MORE

I filled the clutch fluid to the full level and just went out to drive her. I haven't driven her in probably a month. Now, there's almost no play in the pedal coming up off the floor before the gear engages and once when I stopped and had the clutch in I felt the engine bog down and it ground going into first. I eventually was able to gently work it in. It's also making an odd noise that I don't think I can describe but know it's not normal for this car. The oil on the dipstick registers... MORE

Just regular old engine oil. 30 weight, 40 weight, 10w 5w "Virginia" 26767... MORE

Send a message to majordomo@... and include the phrase: subscribe spridgets This will sign you on the the spridgets list. Once on the list, pose the question to Larry Macy, a Philly PHD that did this about a year ago. I don't have his email address on this computer, but he is very helpful as are others on this list. The midgetsprite list is great too, but I think there may be more 1500 folks on the other list,or more engine builders. Robert Houston Transervicios S.A. de C.V. 915-592-2082 rbhouston@... 26786... MORE

Bob, He can buy my entire car including the fresh 1275 for the cost of a Heritage shell and it's never had any rust or panel replacement. Best part is, kit's an original. Gerard "gerardchateau" 26757... MORE

G'day Brandon This should be no problem to find. They are readily available in Oz, and I'm surprised Moss don't stock them. There is nothing special about it - just your everyday welsch plug. From memory, it is 1" across, but measure it to check. Then visit your local engine or cylinder head reconditioners. These guys have buckets of welsch plugs of various sizes, and they will probably give you one for nothing! avagoodday Colin "Colin@SpriteParts" 26738... MORE

I took a 800 mile ride this weekend, to take my Bugeye to Rivergate shop, after much number crunching, it came out that if I had them build an engine for me, and rebuild a 5 speed, the shipping on that would eat me alive, so in my thought I asked what it would be if I brought my car to them to have the work done, of course I know it will take another trip down there, to pick up car, but... the shipping would have been more expensive than the labor they charged to install, so that's... MORE

oh, a loop of cord with a stick twisted in it (and some washing-up liquid on the rubber) works wonders. Regards David "David Jacobs" 26733... MORE

try emailing the guy who wrote the article - it was 1997 so he ought to have put some miles on the motor by now (unless it went bang quickly!) Regards David "David Jacobs" 26721... MORE

Its a bummer when something like that happens, I hope you didn't have to dr ive too far on 3 cylinders. All sorts of unnatural stresses on the crank et c Assuming it's a clean engine there should be plenty of oil down there, in f act should be almost flooded most of the time. Is it ? Did the pushrod drill a hole in the cam follower (the push rod rotates whe n running normally - if it sticks you get abnormal wear )or did the cam 'we ar' away the base of the follower. Either way check... MORE

Vince, This has been discussed and done by several members of the Spridgets list. Pinning is the only type I've heard about before. I don't have any personal experience with it, but you can find info by searching or joining Spridgets list. subscribe at http://www.team.net/cgi-bin/majorcool Archives at http://www.team.net/archive/ Gerard http://www.gerardsgarage.com/FS_Garage.htm Royal Motor Sales Audi - VW - Mazda - Volvo 415-241-1711 Check out my new and used inventory at: http://www.royalmotorsales.com/en_US/ "gerardchateau" 26715... MORE

I am in the process of rebuilding my 1500 engine. I am looking for some feedback on what is the best way to Pin aq thrust washer in place. I have read some papers that talk about using three 1/8" roll pins, I have not seen any feedback on how well this works. My second question is related and it involves machining down the rear bearing housing to accept a second thrust washer that is held in place using three brass screws. The idea sounds good but what is the long term feedback. (see http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/1080/thrustwasherinstall.h tml for more information)... MORE

Chris N. I don't think the Rockwell hardness situation I spoke of previously applies then for those who supplied these defective items were known and their stuff should have been removed from shelves easily by Jan. of '03 and replaced by those of decent quality. I know at the time Bill Perry was building my engine a coupla years ago, he had more than a few Spridgets in his shop for engine rebuild caused my metal contamination from these subtandard parts. But they should have been long gone by 01/03. Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 26706... MORE

I guess you mean the bootlid, Margaret? Must make visibility a bit tricky if the spare's on the bonnet! It's easier to do the bonnet with the hinges bolted to the car because the bolts are inside the car, not in the engine compartment. This means the bonnet manouevrer can't see the bolt holes, and the bolt-putter-in-er can't see the hinges as they approach and with a heavy frogeye bonnet, it must be 100 times worse than with just the hinges by themselves. The bootlid is a different story, because the hinge bolts are there in front of you... MORE

Hi, First off hello to all. I am a new spridget owner and enjoy reading all the posts. I was wondering what the "normal" exhaust noise level for a 1967 1275 should be. I am quite new to this car and think it needs a new muffler but not sure. I know they had a raspy sound but this sounds too extreme. Any points welcome. Thanks Duncan "duncan846" 26689... MORE

Brandon Not sure if this will help answer your question, but it will put things into perspective for you. The change over point for RHD cars from positive to negative earth was at HAN9-72041 and GAN4-60460, November 1967. This involved a change of rev counter, wiper motor, fuel guage with voltage stabiliser. The Temperature gauge changed to C-N-H graduation. Now I'm not sure when the change-over came for LHD cars, but it must have been around the same time. So it looks like from your VIN number it was originally a Negative Earth car. The only real way of... MORE