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It was time to put the new bearings and oil seal into the front hubs, so I got them out of the wrapping they were in, gave them a final clean with a cloth to get any little bits of dirt out ready for the new seals. I went and got the brand new bearings from the unopened packet, got them out opened them up, and trial fitted the largest bearing into the back of the hub. It wouldn't fit! It was like way too wide in diameter to fit in there! I was standing there thinking how can... MORE
I've tried using 'universal' spring compressors ie the type with two hooks on a double threaded rod, one RH thread, one LH thread, so when you turn the rod it pulls the hooks together. These are easily available in the UK and probably elsewhere, though I doubt if the VL Churchill item 18G153 is. The universal ones don't fit Spridgets well enough to use properly - the top of the spring is shrouded too much by the surrounding metalwork. Regards David "David Jacobs" 27064... MORE
From: Brent Wolf [mailto: wolfbj@... ] Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2003 10:19 PM To: Richard Rivenbark; Spridgets; Midgetsprite Subject: [midgetsprite] Re: 1275 coil Later coils marked + & -, On cars wired with a negative ground system, these connections should be + to ignition switch, and - to distributor/contact points. "Duncan Sinclair" 27073... MORE
BTW, Nigel; HOW did you "pack" the bearings?? Ed "justbrits" 27075... MORE
I have used this method several times. Very easy to remove and install the springs this way with or without the engine in place and the cost is only two longer bolts and a couple of washers and nuts! I have found spacers and washers between the a-arm hole and the nut or bolt head make it easier to use a wrench to loosen and tighten as it raises the nut or head out of the indented area of the a-arm where the holes are located. I used a couple of large washers and socket wrench heads (makes about... MORE
When I have reasembled the front suspension oon my car before, I have always assembled it complete, without the spring and then used long 'slave bolts' to draw it up into position. This way you are not fighting the spring at any stage, except when using the slave bolts, and here it is very controlled. This method does not rely on the weight of the car at all. It is worth putting a small wooden block in position to prevent over compression of the bump stops however. Leave them in place until the engine is back in the car,... MORE
Roger I presume by 'slave bolts' you mean Spring Compressors? or am I getting confused? I could have used 'Spring Compressors' but it's just yet another tool to buy! You're lucky with the Spridget front suspension that you can remove and install the spring without the need for Spring Compressors, but that's rather dependant on the engine being in! Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 27049... MORE
Hi guys Thought I'd update you all once again on how the restoration is going. I've taken a few more pics that can be seen on the Yahoo Group Webpage in the Nigel-71-Midget Folder. Basically the rear axle is back on the car with the rear springs and backplates, brakes and hubs all reassembled. I've also nearly completed the left hand side (RHD Drive) front suspension. Putting the front and rear suspension components back on before all the spraying is finished is a bit out of sequence, but due to the restriction on space within my garage, I now... MORE
Put a meter across the battery, it should show 14 volts (ish) when engine running 1500 rpm (fast idle). Gradually switch on more and more electrics and make sure the alternator is supplying the power and holding the battery at 14 volts. I have had a broken winding, one diode gone and worn brushes all of which prevent the alternator proving all the amps it should. Terry "terry.isherwood" 27045... MORE
The Concord (in principle) is not done, percieved "national attitude" notwithstanding. It's timing was bad among other world events. Had times been good and/or had they been able in enlarge it (more passengers) or develop a more fuel efficient engine(s) for it (R&D costs at a time when there was no money?), the larger capacity or more fuel efficient versions would be flying today. OTOP ("paw" - obligatory cat content, Guy Weller...I caught that "chock" comment, fella....watch it!!:).... "today" , we have email and electronic conferencing. You can see how circumstances combined against supersonic international global flight world-wide. At... MORE
All offers will be considered. The car is pictured here but is now in running condition. I will post the new photo under SAVEDBLACK79MG. I have a rip free covertable top on it, and good black paint on it. The engine and transmission work good, I need to adjust the engine to run at normal speed. The brakes work and all the lights work. I just purchased the boot cover for the convertable top (used). The car still needs the inside finished. I have two mazda seats in working order to go in. Thank You . MY E-MAIL OOOHAYNOW1@...... MORE
"To say nothing of the tune-up costs" Yes, really! I think they hold 13 quarts of oil and have two oil filters as well. Not inexpensive to keep up, for sure. While we have you here, what sort of clutch/slave cylinder set-up are you using for the 5 speed conversion, Mr. A? I thought you used spridget parts but everybody tells me that in these respects, you're a Datsun kinda guy! Inquiring minds......:) Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 26976... MORE
David Thanks, I didn't but it's a very good idea, and I'll certainly try it next time. I have to confess rather sheepishly that I scored 1 out of 2 on the circlip test! I hit upon a problem that I solved with my usual finesse : ) The circlip was somehow 'fouling' the hub, ie it wouldn't go down completely flat against the backplate because about 2 mil of it was overlapping the hub. So I ground off about 2mil off the circlip and it seemed to fit ok. Rather than mess about with the second one, I... MORE
One idea I have seen with this is to remove the locating pin from the cylin der and tap out the hole. A small screw can then be used into the cylinder. _____ From: amukdigiphoto [mailto: amukdigiphoto@... ] Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2003 5:52 PM To: midgetsprite@yahoogroups.com Subject: [midgetsprite] Re: Rear brake assembly David Thanks, I didn't but it's a very good idea, and I'll certainly try it next time. I have to confess rather sheepishly that I scored 1 out of 2 on the circlip test! I hit upon a problem that I solved with my usual finesse... MORE
Lori I bought a 65 for restoration back in May, here on the civilised side of the pond (that should be good for a few replies) for the equivalent of $1000. Mine was a runner and was on the road in in March 2002, I would not have wanted to drive it though the floor was almost completely rotted out, rear spring hangers about to collapse no outer sills and inner sills rotted through. The car had been reinforced with angle iron and 1/8 plate some of which I was able to pull off with my bare hands. The... MORE
Arghh I hate those stupid little circlips that hold the wheel cylinders in place. Such a fiddle to get them to fit and not ping them across the garage into some box at the bottom of a pile of rubbish! No it didn't happen, really, honest! I also forgot that you need two pairs of hands to assemble rear brakes, although I suspect that Ed could assemble the brakes on both sides of the axle, one arm tied behind his back, drinking a cup of tea, watching the ball game and having a conversation with one of his irate... MORE
Lori, As other members will tell, if it ran it would be worth more. Need to check under the hood on the passenger side of the engine for a tag that will start with a 10 or 12. Which is it? Did it run when parked? How many years parked? Inside or out? Can you e-mail me photos? Frenchww@... . Thanks, Bill French Hilton Head, SC frenchww@... 26911... MORE
I think concours is an absolute and total waste of a car. The cars were made to be driven when they rolled out of the factory, and those that still exist still have the soul of a driver (screw that VW ad "drivers wanted") in them. In my opinion, anyone that does concours is as much a criminal as the person that leaves one to rust to death with no intention of ever doing anything with it. Either way, it will never be driven again. I am still buying parts for my frog, so I don't count!! The concours... MORE
"Depends upon the crank" I percieve, Eduardo! Ah....not a matter of easy interchangeability then along with an implication that bushed was better? Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 26897... MORE
Cap'n Yuppers - exactamundo my friend. Why paint one engine one colour, another engine another colour and yet another engine another colour etc etc why not just slap the same colour on all of them and have done with it. What the hell difference does it make what colour the engine is painted in anyway? If it saved money, that's the way we'll do it - and thats exactly how they operated. It was expedient. Sadly, David wants to know the 'real reason' why the engines were painted a different colour to the ones that went before and the... MORE
I have two pilot bearings, one is a roller type and the other a pourous metal. Which is the better (pros & cons) bearing to use? Jim C 73 Midget 67 MGB "klutterbutt92530" 26875... MORE
Jim C. .... "Roller" is the one that came in later 1275's so by this definition, is the superior product. As to whether it will fit the earlier engines that originally used the nonroller bronze bushing???? This would be a matter for.....Ed of JustBrits, no doubt!! How 'bout it Ed? Will (or should) it fit??? Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 26879... MORE
I don't really accept the "They simply used whatever engine paint was to hand " argument as there must have been WAY more dark green or red paint splashing around at the time. Regards David "David Jacobs" 26873... MORE
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
