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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
I never said that! It is an original BL part, sold for that application, but it just happens to have been revised at some stage, like many other parts - for example the 'original' brake pads you buy won't be the same compound as they would have been in 1971 (and I'm not shelling out 162.31 + paint and hassle for a new nose cone!) Regards David "David Jacobs" 33054... 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
Nigel I really don't understand what the big deal is about rebuilding one. If it is not seriously scored and they have always sold the rebuild kits for the m, why not. You can pretty much tell when it done and in your hand and you operate it manually if it's going to work or not??? As to color I remember the early ones being painted a cast iron (darkish gr ey) color, the one on my '79 is a aluminum color like the box. Just my thoughts Mike mk2sprite@... 33048... MORE
Cap'n I don't consider 65 bucks to be inexpensive - clearly your value of money is different to mine ;) But I do hear what you're saying. I did manage to un-seize it as it happens, perserverence pays off - sometimes! I'll clean it up and reassemble and then see how it looks - but from initial inspection it looks ok to be re-used. I'm doing that today. As no-one gave me a tip on what colour it was, I'll paint it the same as the gearbox housing. Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 33042... MORE
Second that, buy a new one. The cost to PITA ratio here is to high to rebuild. I tried to respond to your question yesterday on fitting the seal for the windscreen from work, but I got bounced as the email address was not registered. What I did was place a piece of nylon mason's line under the windscreen then work it up against the seal pulling it into place. We tried other methods but this was the easiest, and did the least damage to the new paint. Steve Quandt "smquandt" 33039... 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
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
Even with 'only' a 'small' V8 I wouldn't even consider it as they'd be pinging spokes all the time! Unless maybe if they were 72 spoke wheels; even then, you'll be forever getting them rebuilt as they have a tendency to go out of true with just 65 bhp! If your friend's are 14", they are most likely from an MGB in which case I think they fit the Spridget splines, but then you have the problem of what size tyres to fit on them - if you don't want to go too much bigger on rolling radius, you'll... MORE
Guys - Currently working on a Buick 215 powered MG midget, always loved the looks of the spoked wheels on British sports cars, but how long will they hold up to a small V8 and manual trans? A friend has offered me a set of wire wheels which he says are from a Triumph or maybe a MGB, (I think they are 14", but how do you tell what they are from, and what splines I will need?) I haven't seen them for a couple of years, hope to get them home this weekend. Was wondering if it'd be... MORE
aren't you going to paint it, then?! David "David Jacobs" 32970... MORE
Hi Jim, The pertronix still has too many wires coming out of the dizzy and coil to look stock, but the Crane module can be mounted inside the car under the dash, too. Pa Hi Jim, Meant that to apply to points that fail in a week. Sorry for the confusion. Both Pertronix and Crane are top notch units. I've just had such wonderful use with Crane, I have a bias towards them. I've noticed from the list that many have complained about the early failures of some Pertronix units. Later, Paul A "Paul Asgeirsson" 32947... MORE
Shocks are OK, nothing wrong with them. As for the rest, one wishbone as I said is serviceable, just the pin won't come out. as for the rest, maybe I should mention I do have a workshop sufficiently tooled up to make the kingpin bushes from stock! although I don't intent to do so. As fro he wishbones the tine it would take me to remove and replace the threaded section VS the 100 UKP it would appear as though a new pair would cost to buy make it well worth me reconditioning them myself. Stewart "Ford Prefect" 32922... MORE
TJ, Get out your BFH and give them a few smacks. They usually rust and fix themselves around the stud areas. Smack around the outside edge towards you/away from the drum. Biff Jones '59 Bugeye 'Kermit' '61 AH Sprite 'Ole Gray' in the "Healey Book" '71 Midget 'Freebie" http://sprites2.homestead.com/ "Biff" 32908... MORE
I would like to introduce myself to the group. My name is Carl, just purchesed a 1964 AH sprite Mk II han 7. I have rebuilt-restored 5 American muscle cars over the last 10 years, but this will be my first UK car. I have only had this car a few weeks but already love it. Very simple and strate forward. Will probely need some information as I go along. Carl Beedle "electrabee" 32873... MORE
Bob Nice to hear from you. Photo attached My MK III Sprite is the one in the gazebo, the event took place at Hermitage Hall near Downham Market Norfolk, on the original medieval pilgrims way to Walsingham. You may have to blow the photo up a bit to see the detail since it is in panoramic format, the non-Spridget on the right hand end is a Le Mans replica MGA, the red car about halfway between my Sprite and the MGA is an Arkley. The Arkley is built by stripping the outer panels from a Spridget and replacing them... MORE
Margaret The gathering -was a reasonable success with a turnout of 16 topless Spridgets on a brilliant hot and sunny day. I think we had almost every MK and model including a supercharged Arkley, a Sebring Sprite, an isle of white frogeye, the standard frogeye featured in July's Practical classics, a K series car and a five speed conversion. It was a great day enjoyed by all, it is a pity a few more of you couldn't make it (maybe next year). I think all those who attended were Midget and Sprite club members and the event is described... MORE
Sure, Martyn... Sudden/complete failure is something all the electronic systems (factory and/or "add-on" alike) share, but their benefits (IMHO) far outweigh this disadvantage, most especially in view of the fact we're living in the cellphone era wherein appropriate help is a mere phone call away! :):) Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 32846... MORE
Bob, Do you use the Petronix Hall effect system? Which if I am not mistaken, still uses the mechanical and vacuum advance that the stock points system used, is that right? Chris "Chris" 32822... MORE
David, The A+ Dizzy needs some simple modifications. The shaft length on the A+ dizzy is slightly shorter. To get it to work you need to grind / turn about 1/4" off the thickness of the top flange of the collar that locates the drive shaft in position. Then you need to either file the main hole in the clamp bigger to fit the dizzy body, or turn a little off the dizzy until the clamp fits. The A+ dizzy comes with a different clamp - a forked affair but you don't use that. The end result on mine... MORE
Martyn, I use a modified system out of a 1275 Metro. Scrapyard components that cost me 5 GBP. Guy "Guy Weller" 32821... MORE
I might be intrested. Can you send a photo via e-mail? or mail one? Clear title? Wrecked? Color? Interior shape? 1275 cc? Thanks, Bill French Cincinnati/Hilton Head Frenchww@... frenchww@... 32787... MORE
I'm getting ready to rebuild my 79's MC, as it keeps dripping brake fluid on my foot. Any special words of advice from someone who's done it? Are there any things I should be especially aware of, or any special precautions to take? Thanks in advance, George "chuibuddy" 32784... MORE
Now the paint is finally going on my 1500 I have been sorting though the bits. On inspecting the front suspension what a surprise, it's all shot. play nearly everywhere it should not be. Do any of the owners clubs in the UK still keep the reamer needed to fit the bush and lend it out? (IIRC Dad borrowed one from the local MGOC back in the '70s). Onto another oddity, My car had the horn in the steering wheel, and the indicator stalk was damaged (a sizable piece of the end of it was missing) and it has... MORE
Yep.... You got it big guy!!!! Of course, this assumes a reasonably healthy engine pulling decent vacuum. TWO CAVEATS.... 1) If the engine's clapped out and is pullin' lousy vacuum, the pistons will never "top out", spring tension and fully open butterflies notwithstanding and thus....it follows, that.... 2) the entire induction system has got to be "air tight" as well. You don't need a midget under the hood. You need an SU carb tool kit!!! It comes with a little jet centering tool along with "rods" you place within the piston tubes which temporarily take the place of the... MORE
