MAIN
Miscellaneous
Previous Page | Next Page
Bill, I drilled pilot holes, one where the roll-pin hole is and one in the other "corner". I then opened them up and used an ordinary hand tap (taper, then plug) to thread them to take 3/8" bolts. The holes mustn't be too deep or you will break through into the cylinder bore and ruin it. The cylinder then fastens firmly in position with two short bolts through the backing plate. It is actually a very easy modification to do. But not for those with an "original" fettish. Guy "Guy Weller" 30642... MORE
Margaret, Yes I know now, despite the fact it calls itself a "club" it is not! At the time I thought it was a club which is why I thought I was entitled to see the club accounts. Guy "Guy Weller" 30641... MORE
A while ago there was some discussion of a Miata drivetrain in a Spridget. If anyone is interested in that sort of a project, I have a '95 Miata with a good running engine and 5 speed I'm probably going to part out. If anyone is interested in it, contact me off list. I also have a restored '68 Sprite that you can put it in if your want. I also have a complete '92 Miata I'm interested in selling if you want an extra sports car in your stable. The '95 is black on black and the '92... MORE
Frank Clarici Toms River, NJ Back up to too many sprites again. http://www.exit109.com/~spritenut/ Frank Clarici 30643... MORE
Remember, the MGOC Ltd is a limited company, not a club, and as such is a commercial organisation. If you want to see the accounts, you can apply to Companies House. Margaret South Lincolnshire (UK) "May you be in Heaven half an hour before the Devil knows you're dead" mmbrock88@... 30636... MORE
I was wondering how many fastners the hood and tonnau on my 59 frogeye should have. They now have two at each side (back) but dont really fit that well, i have noticed on photos of other cars that they have 3 fastners on each side. If that's correct where should i fit my third fastner. Is there a pattern/marker avaliable for this. Jens "jens maudal" 30631... MORE
G'day all Steve, DO NOT USE COPPER PIPE FOR YOUR BRAKE LINES. Copper "work hardens" under vibration, becomes brittle, and breaks. This happens particularly at the point where the pipe exits the tube nuts. It will not happen overnight, but it will happen. In the last month I have had to replace pipes in three cars that suddenly lost all brake pressure. All three had fractured copper brake pipes. Steel pipe is a bitch to bend, but it will last your lifetime (and maybe extend it). avagoodday Colin "Colin@SpriteParts" 30614... MORE
Hi James, welcome to the group. Do you have any pics of the car you'd like to post? The extra hood fastener was a factory-fit item but only for a short time at the beginning of production of that style of hood. Some people find it keeps the hood in better shape than just the velcro, and you can easily get the extra body stud if you end up getting that type of hood. Regards David "David Jacobs" 30624... MORE
Bill, A couple of points that may help: The "E" -clip goes on with the open gap towards the bleed screw. There is a very slight groove between the axle casing and the back plate that allows the edge of the clip to fit the space between the wheel cylinder and the axle casing. There are various techniques. I have found that if you can get the edges of the 3 lugs just against the edge of the wheel cylinder casting and then put a large socket against and give it a "light tap with a heavy hammer" it... MORE
Once, a few years back, I wrote, as a subscribing "club" member, asking to see a copy of their annual accounts. Surprisingly, I got a reply -It basically told me to mind my own business! Guy "Guy Weller" 30620... MORE
You forget it's not a club in the traditional sense, so I very much doubt that it's even possible for the membership to kick him out. Regards David "David Jacobs" 30619... MORE
James You're most welcome. Yes, a hood with the header rail already fitted will push up the cost considerably. I've refurbished my header rail and will be using that. I'm in total agreement with your dad re MGOC. They're way too commercial now, they need to get back to basics and focus their attention on their members needs, not what Roche Bentley wants to do. As an MG Membership club, is it morally right for them to 'vet and rate' suppliers of products and services to MG owners whilst at the same time offering those services via the club... MORE
Many thanks for your reply Nigel. I have had good dealings with Moss in the past and I would tend to agree that they only deal with good quality components. You are quite right that the Moss hoods are around =A3140, the price that I was originally looking at was for the hood and header rail......... That would certainly explain why i thought that they were expensive compared to the competition! Job for the summer though. Fitting a vinyl hood in cold conditions is never a good idea, as I have found out before! Although having never had much... MORE
Frank Clarici Toms River, NJ Back up to too many sprites again. http://www.exit109.com/~spritenut/ Frank Clarici 30627... MORE
Jens No they're not 'original' but they look it - you can't tell the difference between steel and cupro/nickel, so unless you tell anyone...however, no problems spotting copper ones huh? At the end of the day you don't need to be a slave to originality unless you intend to compete in 'concours' events, which I don't. My adherence to 'originality' is for my own benefit, because I want to keep my car as 'original' as I can. That doesn't mean that because cupro/nickel alloy brake pipes wern't used at the factory they can't be used now. Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 30606... MORE
Chris Thank's for your input. Yes, I can imagine 1/4" steel pipe is a pain to bend, the 3/16" cupro/nickel was bad enough! I trace the route of the pipe with some string, including all the bends and then add about 6 inches, and cut that length, I still usually have to trim that back to fit, so no problems on lengths. Thanks for the tip on the autojumbles, but its not really an option - I simply don't have the time to trawl around atuojumbles right now - I just want to get on and get the car... MORE
Rob Yep, sadly I have to compromise my own beliefs at times. Mind you, the 1500 console doesn't look too out of place, and as it's an 'add-on' it can easily be removed and replaced as and when I do find an 'original' one. Those 'original' ones are quite scarce, and when I have seen them they're kinda pricey - I draw the line at some things. I've been replacing pretty much all of the nuts, bolts and washers as I've been refitting components, until I was quoted =A32.50 ($4.50 USD) for a single screw (the long one that... MORE
Chris Have you seen the price of those steel radio consoles? I can't recall exactly how much Moss were asking - but it was in the region of 60 odd quid! They do, do a cheaper fibreglass one, but in my opinon they're a bit naff. These are the later type consoles by the way that were standard fitment to 1500 Midgets. The 'optional' console for the earlier Midgets (like yours) are slightly different and not easy to find, I have seen them second hand, but they are pricey. I got mine (the later 1500 type) off ebay, from... MORE
G'day Rick, and congrats on getting the car home. We have fitted a few cars with 14" MGB wheels, with no problem. As long as you don't go too wide on the tyre profile. Two things you will need to do. 1.. The lip on the inside of the rear wheel arch needs to be gently folded up against the inner panel. This gives you only 1/8" or so extra clearance, but you will probably need it. If you are gentle with a hammer and dolly, you can do it in 10 minutes per side, and it will be... MORE
Rick, Some of the later 1500s had some sort of "safety device" anchor strap which connects the lump to the car so that in the event of an acciident they stay together. Maybe your braded cable is that. If not, then it is an earth strap Oh, and despite what Nigel says, the 1500 engine is perfectly good if it is put together properly and treated right. It doesn't rev as sweetly as a 1275 but it has loads more low-down torque. Guy "Guy Weller" 30510... MORE
Rick Grats on your new acquisition, don't take any notice of some of the list 'snobs' there's nothing at all wrong with a 1500 - they're great little cars (apart from the Triumph engine which is a dog) And good luck with it ....not saying any more on that ;) Braided cable - not sure - could be a ground, could be the handbrake cable? Pull cable is the bonnet release. The throttle pedal is available from Moss (well here it is - UK). Not sure what a dashpad is, do you mean the crash roll on top of... MORE
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6763&item=2463635780 You gotta love a seller asking $145 for original Lucas headlamps (as described in the title) but in the description states "ACTUAL SEALED BEAM INSIDE MAY OR NOT BE LUCAS" So for all you concours guys, here is a chance to finish your car correctly!! Brad Brad Fornal 30514... MORE
Rick, I know that they put 15" rims on the MGC and 14" rims on the MGB but I do not think 14" wires would fit on a midget with squared off rear wheel arches. With the right tyre profile and flares you might be able to pull this off. The hub is the same on all three dunlop wheels. Never know until you try it on ONE wheel and see. We fit 205/60/13 wheels with mags on a midget or sprite with round wheel arches with little to no problems all the time. Best of luck. Rex Urban... MORE
Listers - The friend I received my 75 Midget from has a set of wire wheels, if I remember I thought they were 14" wheels from a MGB, but no splined hubs, just the rims. My question is will 14" MGB wheels fit a Midget with the Midget Splines? Not sure if the would have the correct splines, hub bolt patterns and wheel offsets (I know B wheels are something like a 1/2" wider also), but a set of new low profile tires would give the correct outside diameter. Later Rick "Rick Bender" 30498... MORE
Listers - (sounds like something you call people after a night on a booze cruise) I finally got my car home, created a folder in the photo section ("Ricks 75") and uploaded a photo... Figured out what caused the PO from finishing the restoration, he had snapped 2 bolts off while removing the passenger side front shock for some reason, soaking in WD40 for a couple of days and small amount of heat and the stubs came right out. The car is in supprisingly good shape (for Wisconsin), the previous owner towed it up from New Mexico, so it... MORE
