MAIN
Suspension & Steering
Previous Page | Next Page
So.... If a DFPO had stripped all 3 front shock mounting holes, drilled and tapped them to 1/2", and drilled out the shock holes to match, (and you need to replace the shocks otherwise) would you.... a) Replace the shocks and drill the replacements? (there are good reasons to NOT do this, shock-wise) b) Heli-coil (or whatever brand) the holes in the frame back to 3/8"? Is that safe? c) Do it right by welding in new plates? (we'd rather not go that far into the project at this time) Suggestions welcome. Thanks Peter C. "Peter C." 28615... MORE
Filled with Castrol 20w/50. If you ask me for my gut reaction to the problem, I'd say no, it is not fully disengaging. But I don't know how that is possible. I think I am getting maximum travel from my clutch, and the release lever is tight when the clutch is not depressed. Also, slave travel is within spec (by what I have been told). But it sure acts to me like it is not totally disengaging..... Paul "dfwip" 28595... MORE
Got everything hooked up, but since it is below zero ouside with 8" of snow, I decided to give the car a bit of a test inside the shop. Am able to shift into each gear, but considerable force is needed. There is a very distinct "crunch" shifting into first and reverse, less so in reverse. The take-off in each gear is smooth, but when the car is in gear with the clutch depressed, there is a substantial amount of noise coming from the tranny area. The clutch begins to engage right as the pedal is being released. The... MORE
I wonder if someone can help me here. I have raised this issue before, and wish to bring it to the attention of 'The People who Know' For Christmas I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of Terry Horler's 'Original Sprit and Midget' which I have thoroughly enjoyed reading. On page 80 next to the Photo' of the dashboard, he states, with regard to Mk2 Midgets, that "The gear lever cowl was now painted black regardless of body colour." This appears to be contradicted in Clausagers book 'Sprites and Midgets - the complete Story' on page 101, where... MORE
David Yeah, neat steering wheel, but did it stop bits from falling off the Allegro? ;) Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 28562... MORE
Exactly, Guy.... I own a BE Sprite, PERIOD!!! Do I really care what year?? Others may care for whatever reason, and that is fine. But do I, the owner and driver care. as I leap into my little go-kart roadster on a gorgeous Spring morning, turn the key and drive away to experience one of the brighter, lighter, fun pleasures of life upon the planet? I think not! God bless the British!! :):) Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 28558... MORE
G'day Alan And thank you Nigel. But this time - YOU'RE WRONG! "I'm sure Colin with all his records can give you a better estimate" Thanks Nigel, but actually I don't think I can help very much. All the 948cc and 1098cc cars brought to or built in Oz, were badged as Sprites. All the 1275cc cars were Midgets. As a consequence, it is VERY rare to see a Mk1 or Mk 11 Midget over here, or a Mk IV Sprite. They have to be private imports. And so, our Registrar has very little info on these cars. The... MORE
Castor Oil & Castrol (Castrol R) Got to admit, Dave, I've no clue 'cause I do not know whether the "early" Castrol Oils I grew up with in the late 50's & early 60's were vegetable oil or petroleum based, though I believe it was the later. And the Castrol's before that??? Castrol "R"....formulated for high rpm higher pressure, anti-foam, "racing" oil I would think but here again, not familiar the specific base or formula. But I bet Chuck Christ might know a little about the early Castrol Oils considering his Dad was in racing during Castrol's early days... MORE
David, OK - now explain exactly how you came across this web site !! LOL Is that an Allegro estate rear end sticking out of that skip ? Now there's an interesting LBC - square steering wheel. What was that all about ? Jim Lodder 1974 RWA Hampshire UK Jim Lodder 28521... MORE
Guess y'all must not believe in convertible tops. Let me ask another way.....I want to install a gun rack in my back window. Are there any soft tops made of sufficient quality to support this VERY important modification? What top would you suggest? If I want to install the gun rack myself, can I also install the top? Paul '73 "dfwip" 28417... MORE
Better late than never. I just opened my Charcoal canister and have been able to get to the charcoal. After you screw off the bottom look around the threaded edge on the canister body, at fist it just looks like a threaded edge but on close inspection you will see about four slits located around the edge about 1/16" high by about a 3/8" wide. The edge of the round plastic retaining plate, the one with the three plastic bars has protrusions around its edge that snap into these slits. Use a screwdriver blade to push them in working... MORE
Alan I can't give you a source for fibreglass frogeye rear ends, because I simpl =3D=0D y do not know of any company who makes them, although there are probably plenty about. I do know however that Paul Banham makes a 'Frogeye' replica kit, which is =3D=0D based on a mini 'donor' car and that the Frogeye outer fibreglass panels ar =3D=0D e exactly the same dimensions as the original Frogeye. It may be worth contacting them and asking them if they would be willing to sell the Frogey =3D=0D e rear end separately and if so what the... MORE
Hi guys As I mentioned in my last post about the Sebring Sprite Conversion, I'd upload some photo's of the car a guy restored, putting a fibreglass rear end on a 1973 Midget whilst retaining the Midget front end. This story was related in the June 1992 issue of Popular Classics Magazine. I've also uploaded a picture of the 'factory' prototype Mk II Sprite as shown on page 64 of Geoffrey Healeys book - 'More Healeys, Frogeye Sprites and Midgets', that the guy above used as inspiration. These photo's are viewable on the yahoo website, under photo's and in... MORE
Alan Well, you reply to my original reply, you make no mention of me in your rep =3D=0D ly, and you ask virtually the same question in your reply as I answered in my reply - I will therefore refrain from making any comment on your eyesight. It's not that difficult to replace the rear end of a Spridget with the rear =3D=0D end of a Frogeye if you do it with a one piece fibreglass rear, although as there' =3D=0D s no boot opening - it means having to crawl into the tiny opening from the cock =3D=0D... MORE
I believe that what you are looking at is a Bugeye chassis fitted with an original Sebring nose and a Speedwell hard top that was sold in the sixties. If you look close you can see the speedwell bonnet badge installed on the front. The speedwell nose featured a raked back windshield that was moulded into the front cowl. It looked like it was removable from the rear but in reality it wasn't. The racked back windshield allowed the little thing to reach a higher top speed.I have been looking for one of these for years to replicate but... MORE
Hi Abestea Things are rarely terminal on these little cars, however some things are easier to do than others! If the front crossmember and chassis legs are gone beyond economic repair you can get a replacement front crossmember/chassis leg repair section. Likewise the inner and outer sills, both will need to be welded into position, a lot easier said than done! Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 28341... MORE
Alan Hi and welcome to the list. You've got a couple of problems here, and as I don't know how much you know about Sprites and Midgets I'll try and explain as best I can. Now I may be wrong here, and I'm sure someone will correct me if I am, but =3D=0D the Red Sprite in the Sebring pictures look like its had a front Sebring Bo =3D=0D nnet fitted and a rear fibreglass Coup=E9 fitted. The Silver Sprite in the other p=3D=0D ictures, the one you prefer is in fact a Standard Frogeye Sprite with a Sebring... MORE
Listers I'm looking for a source of stainless pan head upholstery screws. I guess pan head would be the term as the screw I'm looking for is a pan head type sheet metal screw with the "finishing" washer attached to the screw. ( make sense?) Any suggestions/ (I've already tried a local marine shop). Larry Pitts 60 Bugeye 76 MGB (with new front bushings and tie rod ends- interesting project-nice ride) Larry Pitts 28338... MORE
Trevor I'm the same. I've had to pass up a few Midgets I'd have loved to have got, simply becaus =3D=0D e I don't have the space to store them! One particularly nice 'flame' red one springs to mind if Chris is reading ;) N "amukdigiphoto" 28307... MORE
Nigel, When I was doing my shell, I was also constrained within a very cluttered 7'6" wide single garage which also housed bikes, canoes and all the other parafanelia which comes with having 3 kids. (where does all that stuff come from?) I moved the shell around very successfully by bolting two 4" pallet castors (cost 2.50 GBP each) to the front floor mounts for the rear springs, with a third clamped to the underside of the front cross member. First 3 wheeler Sprite? Being castors, I could move it in any direction and push it out into the... MORE
David Yep, agree on when the suspension goes on, we don't all have the luxury of double garages and purpose made dollies to move the car around on! Some of us have to work in tiny single garages with no space to swing a cat, so suspension has to go on first otherwise you cant move the thing! If I had a choice I wouldn't have put the suspension on, because I now have to keep masking it all off when I spray which is a pain, but I guess in a re-painted shell it doesnt make any difference.... MORE
Steve Woohoo! Many congrats. I don't think I am ahead of you Steve, I'm just finishing off the final primer coats on the passenger side wing ready for colour - that will be the last 'bit' on the car that needs to be colour coated. I still have both doors, bootlid and bonnet to colour coat as well. I don't know if you have this book or not - 'Restoring Sprites and Midgets - an Enthusiasts Guide' by Grahame Bristow (Brooklands Books) but it really is a very useful book in terms of reassembly. It's been written with the... MORE
I remember all the cars in the 1970s that used lever arms. Always were crap, always leaked. You would replace them every year to get the car through the MOT. I think the problem with them is that they are doing two jobs, hold the geometry of the front suspension and provide the damping. I think that the up and down forces rotate the shaft and thats OK but the forward and backward forces from accelerating and braking for instance force the shaft against the seals and it leaks. The beauty of using telescopics is that the new bracket... MORE
G'day Mark Just thought I would tip in my tuppence worth. I sell, and fit, telescopic front and rear suspension kits - when the customer really wants them. And I own a (semi-retired) Mk II Sprite that after 10 years still has the class lap record at three circuits, and it has lever arm shocks all round. My road car has lever arm shocks at each corner, and it handles just fine. I support Nigel - there is nothing wrong with them if they are in good condition. And just like telescopic shocks, the car can be near to... MORE
Mark I got that impression to be honest, because if you'd ever driven a Spridget with reasonable condition shocks, you wouldn't have asked the question :) I hear you on the 'do it once, do it properly' philosophy. I'm coming to the end of the restoration of my 71 Midget, and I've taken the same view that sometimes it's just better to do it right first time. However, as I've said in a previous post - save your money on the 'gas' shocks and get your existing lever-arms properly rebuilt. For some reason lever-arms have got a bad reputation... MORE
