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I've got to put a new clutch in my BE. Although the present one has done only 8000 miles, the center of the pressure plate has come loose (What do you call that part, the pressure pad?) Anyway, the question is this: I'm going to have to lift the engine (I'm leaving the tranny in the car), then roll the car out from under the engine. Any tips on supporting the tranny during this operation? I'm thinking about a temp support, maybe a piece of wood, screwed to the footwells. "joe blxfstz" 37246... MORE
Am finally enjoying my car after 6 years of effort and no little frustration... mostly due to my inexperience and limited mental capacity. However there is an annoying problem: I can't keep the Damn bonnet closed. The mechanism seems OK. Is there a trick or procedure known to any out there to line the bloody thing up properly so it will stay closed? I'm about ready to put a blower on the thing and run with an open engine bay. Rob C. 75 Midget, ugly but running well. Webfoot Leisure.com Your Local Pool Store-On the Web rob@... 866-530-9801 toll... MORE
Some of the kits that convert the standard carbon bearing to a roller/ball thrust bearing also need to have the triangular plate removed from the cover, so the bearing presses directly against the spring fingers. Is the old one like this? David "David Jacobs" 37237... MORE
The clutch throwout bearing on the 1275 is a carbon faced bearing, not a ball bearing like other cars, The carbon rides on the triangular shaped flat surface of the spring plate that holds the clutch plate the the flywheel. There are "kits" out there that allow the use of a ball bearing type throwout bearing with the stock clutch - perhaps this is causing your confusion? If you have a transmission convertion, you would most likely have a different throwout bearing. "Jim" 37236... MORE
Can anyone help ??? I am putting a new clutch on my spridget and purchased a clutch kit. All was ok until I compared the old and new thrust bearing. The new one seems to be missing what looks like a Race/bearing. (I have pictures if anyone thinks they can help) Thanks Kevin "bty388504" 37235... MORE
They are for a 73 1275 and they are brand spankin' new still in the box. I cannot remember what I paid from MOSS, but I will let them go for $480.00 and I will pay shipping (to any Texans residing in NM). I take credit card or you and I can work out a deal offline if you want to discuss further. -Spence "Spencer Baker" 37229... MORE
I get it! With the engine running, put it in gear, let the clutch out, then get out and look under the car for the spinning drive shaft... Be sure and let us know how that one turns out...a wheel chock with hair? "Jim" 37220... MORE
If the half shaft has parted, the car may be rolling, the engine running, the clutch engaged, and the wheels turning but they are not connected to each other! Bob "Robert D. Gardner" 37219... MORE
The Organization Of Spridget Handymen in Transit got together yesterday to swap out Larry Macy's engine. Larry got a rebuilt (A wedding present? How thoughtful.) and it was about time to do the deed. Kevin and Rob Valentine, Phil Nase (?), Bill Gilroy and I showed up at Larry's. I understand that Frank Clarici had some problems on the way back from Carlisle so he couldn't make it. I'm sure Frank will fill us in. First we pulled the old engine and tranny, then Kevin and Larry timed the new cam and finished the reassembly. The rest of us... MORE
G'day all The MGB heat shield will work, after you cut it in half, but it might not be easy to find one that the owner will part with. They might prefer to sell the manifold, carbies, heat shield etc as a complete unit. Mini Cooper S had 1.5" SUs as an option, and their heat shields were actually two pieces with a bridge joining them that also held the return springs. You could use the appropriate side of this set-up if only you could find them! I can only supply them new, as a pair, for around $35... MORE
Hey. If you're cabable of pulling the engine, you can certainly rebuild the tranny yourself. Get a book and go at it. It ain't rocket science. "joe blxfstz" 37194... MORE
We should keep this going but you just KNOW what's gonna happen..... "I'm gonna complain to the moderator. HOW do I get off this list??? You guys aren't talking about Sprites and this is a car list. I'm gonna unsubscribe if you guys don't quit foolin' ar ound and start talking serious talk....like about cats or beer or sump'in like 'dat". Cap'n Bob Basic Frog "Robert E. Shlafer" 37186... MORE
Busted one on a MG-TC back in the 60s but hadn't thought about that since. I'll definitely check that before pulling the engine/tranny. Hmmmm. If it was the halfshaft, wonder why the gear shift did what it did? Lessee now... I tried to downshift into third and it didn't want to go into third gear. Kinda like there was no gear there at all. Then suddenly it went in so I let the clutch out and something goes bang. I'm still coasting along so I thought, "Well, it's popped out of gear" so I moved the gear change lever... MORE
There is a poly-block that goes between intake manifold and carb prior to the heat shield/carb. And I recall there was (asbestos-type) insulation on the shield of my PO'd MGA's. I do not recall this on my later post-60/70 Spridgets or MGB's. Not on my Frog restored by PO, either. Of course, any Home Despot will carry something which can be used along wit h modern adhesives that will do the trick. Or heat reflective paint/coating. Beyond higher engine compartment temps in warmer weather which translate into higher induction air temps and gener ally less peppy performance under these... MORE
Is this leaded or unleaded, Jim?? I'm running tuned, hi-compression tyres so "suitable" is of extreme importance you see. :) Cap'n Bob Basic Frog "Robert E. Shlafer" 37175... MORE
Before you do anything drastic, maks sure you didn't twist off an axle shaft! (or u joint for that matter, but not likely, they make more noise). Almost same symptoms but a ton easier to fix. I would be pissed if I pulled the engine and tranny and found it was just fine. Bob in San Diego "Robert D. Gardner" 37192... MORE
Dave Fitted the exhaust manifold but it is hard up against the chassis rail, will show you. I am convinced the engine runs easier and purrs along smoother. I was going to put K&N air filters on, I wanted the one that spans the two carbs as I like the look of it but an owner I met at a show said they just made it noisier and no better so he reverted to the original ones but kept the sports manifold. You can have a look at my steering wheel problem and anyone got an oil cooler for... MORE
I wonder if you can combine the latest fads and use liquid nitrogen for engine cooling?! David "David Jacobs" 37133... MORE
I guess it all depends on what you want to spend...at $25/gal from Evans Cooling Systems I had forgotten about a specific cooling medium that does not use any water at all. I had read about a few years ago when I was considering a return to racing - Non-Aqueous Propylene Glycol. It goes in as a goo, then thins as it is heated. They say: Water Free " Lifetime" Formula No Corrosion...... Ever! Non Hazardous Eliminates Overheating Reduces "Knock" and Engine Damage Quite the claims, aren't they? Just a bit more information to...confuse or ignore LOL "Jim" 37131... MORE
When I got my tires last month at the local big tire chain, they were peddling filling the tires with nitrogen as a way to increase gas mileage. I asked counter boy how that worked and he gave me some load of crap obviously written by the marketing genius who came up with the pitch. (Who's probably getting rich on it... so how smart am I?) I asked him since air is already about 80% nitrogen, why should it make that much difference. So he tried again. I just laughed at him. Now they're on the radio pitching it,... MORE
"and as everyone knows, a basic solution will retard corrosion"...uh not quite...as everyone knows aluminum is amphoteric and will dissolve quite happily in alkaline solution. Not a problem if everything is cast iron, but if you're running an aluminum water pump or cylinder head -OOPS!!! "joe blxfstz" 37122... MORE
Well, Bob, I have pretty fair sex...but that really isn't any of your business, now, is it? (references available upon request) ;) I ass-u-me-d the reference was to liquid detergent, too. I am an engineer, though domestic activities are limited to...well, I've already stated it's none of anyone's business...what the detergent does is two fold - 1. through the nature of the covalant bonding, contaminants are suspended in solution so they aren't deposited here and there in the low flow areas of the coolant (and, in the sink, they go down the drain with the water) 2. the pH... MORE
Please don't put dishwashing liquids in your radiator!!! These things can cause foam, and may destroy the water pump and could cause massive overheating. The "water-wetter" type additives use special wetters which do not foam. I once did a test of "Watter-Wetter" in which I outfitted my car with thermometers in the airstream ahead of and behind the radiator, and surface mounted thermometers on the top and bottom rad tanks. I found no differences in engine temp or cooling capacity with "Water- Wetter" against plain water. For summer cooling, use plain water (distilled if your local water is hard)... MORE
Jim... It's dishwashing liquid which can be substituted for Water Wetter however, domestic chores bore me so I don't know the difference between soap and dishwashing liquid, ass-u-me(ing) there is/are differences? Is there a domestic engineer in the audience? Perchance one of the fair sex ? :) Cap'n Bob '60 :{) "Robert E. Shlafer" 37116... MORE
I'm a little concerned about recommending dish soap, since soap actually creates surface tension - it's surface tension that allows bubbles to form in a soap solution. Of course, your block will be squeeky clean!!! I enjoyed reading this: http://www.spriteparts.com.au/radiatorfluid.htm (Thanks Colin! - great site) It makes very good sense to me. Based on this info and a little more research I would recommend distilled (or demineralized) water with a corrosion inhibiting compound and, if necessary for the area in which you live, just enough anti-freeze to prevent freezing - remember, you do not need anti-freeze when the engine... MORE
