MAIN

Engine (internal)

 1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5  |  6  |  7  |  8  |  9  |  10  |  11  |  12  |  13  |  14  |  15  |  16  |  17  |  18  |  19  |  20  |  21  |  22  |  23  |  24  |  25  |  26  |  27  |  28  |  29  |  30  |  31  |  32  |  33  |  34  |  35  |  36  |  37  |  38  |  39  |  40  |  41  |  42  |  43  |  44  |  45  |  46  |  47  |  48  |  49  |  50  |  51  |  52  |  53  |  54  |  55  |  56  |  57  |  58  |  59  |  60  |  61  |  62  |  63  |  64 

Previous Page | Next Page

The 'UG' part of the chassis number tells us it's a 1976 model year car, and the actual number 169542 indicates it would have been made in late '75. The engine number prefix FP says it's a Midget engine, not a Triumph Spitfire or 1500TC/Dolomite saloon engine. The suffix UE means North America (except California). Regards David "David Jacobs" 33102... MORE

Don, You can lower the front buy installing non RB front springs and if that dosen't lower it enough put in spacers between the spring pan and the A-arm. Spacers can be made from some thick (1/4") wall pipe/tubing and longer mounting bolts. Cutting down the front springs would be my last resort. For the rear a spacer block between the axle and spring. The spacer would be a block the width of the spring with a locating stud on it's top to fit the upper spring plate and a hole in the bottom to clear/locate it on the... MORE

G'day Peter Yup, we have one of those on the bench too. A pedal box with a master cylinder and flex line. But I can't say it ALWAYS works. We do a fair amount of restoration on cars that might have been sitting for 20+ years in less than ideal conditions. Like the AC Aceca. Then pedal starts to bend before the piston moves at all. I admit to making the assumption that people with access to oxy gear knew how to use it and of it's dangers if misused. There are a lot of dangers in the normal... MORE

Was wondering if giving the VIN would help get some information on my midget... it is GAN6UG169542G, and the engine number is FP16753UE. I would greatly appreciate the help. I have just joined the group and the response from all of you is awesome. I thank you for your time. Kerry "rumblefish1955" 33099... MORE

Hi folks I know this is a long shot, but you never know till you try. I'm getting close to the stage of slinging the engine back in and will need an engine hoist to do it. Does anyone have an engine hoist they'd kindy let me borrow for a weekend near to NW Surrey? Thanks Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 33086... MORE

Nigel, You are welcome to mine, do you want to come and get it or should I bring it over to you... Cheers, Bob in San Diego P.S. In the past I have just taken a 4 by 4 and placed it under the ceiling in the proper spot and wedged a 2 by 4 under each end to hold it up. Could also make a simple 2 by 4 "A" frame at each end but that takes two more boards. The lump is not very heavy and the strength of a 2 by 4 when it is vertical... MORE

"Before.....(you) kill yourselves" (No flying, Pete??? How "bore-ing":) Funnier than hell, Pete. Who would ever think to use the hydraulic pressure available in one's own car to "get the job done"? Hilarious! :):) Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 33081... MORE

fluid is safer than compressed air, as it is not compressible, so when the piston does pop out, the liquid doesn't expand, unlike a gas. Pressure vessels are tested for leaks this way. David "David Jacobs" 33066... MORE

We just used a tourch to heat it enough to melt the seals, and then hit it against a log so the piston fell out. Bob, Troutdale, OR "Robert Webb" 33068... MORE

I used an air compressor, with 5-8 PSI. Any more pressure then at and things could get messy. Put your hand over the bore so you can catch the piston and spring, when it comes out. "Chris Eastwood" 33065... MORE

A little less spectacular way to remove a piston is to fit a grease nipple into the brake line hole. Then fix a grease gun to it and pump on it until the piston is out. However, I do think the explosion method is entirely appropriate on most holidays when the local fire departments are on stand by alert anyway!! Give them something to do when the neighbors give them a call!! Pa "Paul Asgeirsson" 33064... MORE

Is it possible it was the correct panel for a September onwards 1974 1275 midget? as I believe a lot of these have 1500 floor pressing.. Stewart "Ford Prefect" 33061... MORE

G'day Nigel et al As much as I agree with Bob (get a new one) I understand your penchant for originality and budget repairs. So here is an (almost) fail-safe method for freeing seized hydraulic components. (No, Nigel, I'm not being a smart-ass - we all have times where we just have to repair the used bit in front of us.) Take the part in question, let's say it's a clutch slave cylinder, remove all pipes and hoses, clean all the rust and debris out of the cylinder in front of the piston. You need to make it as... MORE

Headline...local British newspaper.... The local British car restorer known as Nigel was accidentally killed yesterday morning by an unknown missle of some sort which penetrated not only his body, but the wall of the cement garage in which he was working. The missle has not yet been found however, he was at the time working on some sort of hydraulic part which suspiciously appears to be missing it's piston. Police are looking into all evidence and are at this point seeking a certain Aussie currently known to them only by the name "Colin", who wrote Nigel telling him to... MORE

Nigel, I think the point was that it was a pressing, made as a "universal fit" repair panel, designed so as to fit either 1500 or earlier models, though not identical to the original production panel for the 1275. On mine the depressions are pretty well hidden by the front number plate anyway. Guy "Guy Weller" 33056... MORE

34-00 new (Welsh MG Centre) install it once / bleed it once and it will work and go on working -vs.- taking a chance on a seized, rebuilt cylinder - the neck-breaking, knuckle-ripping access, the legendary bleeding problems? Twice when it doesn't actually work? You need your brain examining Nigel.. Seriously. Steve "Steve and Sue Clark" 33047... MORE

Steve Thanks for your reply. I have managed to unseize the slave cylinder, I'll see how it 'scrubs up' before deciding to reuse it. Regarding the windscreen, are you referring to putting the windscreen on the body - or actually getting the rubber seal into the frame itself? I've managed to get the seal into the frame after the tip from Brad - it worked ok, hard on the thumbs tho! I now need a source for a pillar seal, as I have a new one for one side, but not the other and Moss say its now NLA!... MORE

David So what we are agreed on - it shouldn't be on a 1275! Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 33043... MORE

Nigel, my '74 has the same style front end, which I think was fitted after a front end shunt; I gather it was what BL were selling after 1275 production stopped, but before British Motor Heritage and/or others started reproducing the correct part. It's not quite a 1500 item, as they have provision for the reinforcement members and what are depressions in the chrome bumper type are actual holes in the 1500 valance; but you are right, it does seem to be based on 1500 pressings. Regards David "David Jacobs" 33038... MORE

Hi guys I've started on cleaning up the gearbox, and removed the clutch slave cylinder, which seems seized solid. Anyone got any ideas on how to 'unseize' it? Also what colour was the slave cylinder painted - same as gearbox body? tia Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 33035... MORE

TJ, You will have a blast with that boat. A friend of mine had one many years ago. Great boat for water skiing! Used it myself for several summers. Very fast! I think he had his humming at 60-65 mph with some engine upgrades and special ss prop. Have fun, Phil "Phil" 33033... MORE

Welcome Paul I'm in Central London with a Frogeye. I will check your website as soon as i've written this. I used to know a guy who lived in St Neots named David Wilson. Ring any bells? Gary L 1958 Frogeye+Rivergate 5 speed London "Gary Lazarus" 33032... MORE

Hi everyone This is a question for anyone with a desmoged late model 1500 engined Midget. As I have kept with original on my '79 1500 I am in need of what is called the Air injection tube for this emissions system. It is a aprox. 1/2" metal tube that runs from the air pump check valve around the back of the cylinder head and screws into the exhaust manifold. It has a large fitting at the manifold and where it fits into the check valve. It is NOT the air rail type tube with the 4 branches to... MORE

Putting the seal in the bottom of the windscreen, needs lubricant. Before putting the windscreen on the car, put a calking along the ridge. They are know to allow water to come in under the sindscreen. Groments... I found most of them at a local hardware store, a very good hardware store, but still local. Foam under the heater box?? Moss doesn't show them in the cataloge here, I have never seen any, so I made one out of cork gasket material. It works, and you can't see it. I'm going to leave it there. Bob, Troutdale, OR "Robert... MORE

I assume we are talking the 215 Buick/rover engine? That being the case the standard axel with the 3.7:1 diff and hardened halfshafts should be OK. as for the wheels I would be inclined to go for minilites or similar. Wires can cope with the power, (How many E-Types have you seen on anything else! V12s don't count 'cause they are too ugly) but Standard Midget or MGB wires I doubt will. MGC wires though might, but they are 15". TR5 PI wires may also cope Stewart "Ford Prefect" 32994... MORE