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Another removal challenge. I have removed the nuts from the u-bolts holding the rear spring and the two bolts that are next to each other and closer to the front of my Sprite. In drawings of the spring assembly there is a single bolt shown between the u-bolt and the pair of bolts but all I can see on the car is a hole with something up inside it. I cannot figure out how to remove this bolt since it has no exposed head. This is the same on both sides of the car. I am the original owner... MORE
This is a really neat car! Still RHD. Check it out from the link on my main page. http://www.gerardsgarage.com/FS_Garage.htm Email me off list with your questions. Gerard gerard 32660... MORE
I do this too, however I use the appropriate sized "Socket Punch". They are common tools that can be found in any mechanics tool box. I have always did this to ensure that they always seat. Also, prior to reassembly, I always make sure that all of those little grooves that the spring clips seat in ar e REALLY clean. A scribe does wonders here. Another thing, never reuse the ol d spring clips. These are subject to wear always. Matt 76 Midget (in the process of being sold to a person in Brazil) "Matthew Pfeil" 32650... MORE
I've just fited a 73 Midget motor into my 67 Morris Minor. The smog rails etc have been removed and the ports plugged. Curently, the induction is the stock Minor setup, this will chnage in time, but I want to get the car finished before I go dual carbs and a larger bore exhaust. Anyway, I have 4 distributors, the stock 41400 25D unit, the stock 67 Minor unit, opne from a 64 TR4 and a DM2 from God know what. As far as I can tell *none* of the 4 vacuum advances work. I have removed each and... MORE
Drew, I installed the 310 in-lb springs and find the ride just fine. I also installed rebuilt shock from World Wide Imports, according to the list these are very good units. I agree with that. Martyn "Martyn Eastwood" 32591... MORE
Thanks for the info Jim. That gives me some hope that the springs I have will work out ok. Normally new springs have a break-in period before they settle into their final position or ride-height. Was that the case for your situation, how long did it take and was the difference in ride height noticeable after they settled in? Are you also running Peter's shocks? Cheers, -Drew because of try "Drew Griffith" 32606... MORE
Hi Drew, My BMC workshop manual for my Mk2 Sprite gives the working load as 750 lb. and the spring rate as 271 lb. in. FWIW they state that the free length is 9.4 in. and the mean coil diameter is 3.625 in. Nelson HAN6L11639 "Nelson Wittstock" 32589... MORE
Hi folks... it's been a while. I'm still doing too much traveling but I'm trying to work in some time on my 62MK2 between flights, and now I have some questions on front end springs. Anyone know what the original front spring rating (in pounds) for the MK1 or 2 Spridgets and has anyone ever measured the front end weight? I know that the RB Midget front springs are taller, but what is their ratting in pounds? Anyone ever use and have comments about the racing springs that Moss offers, 350 & 400 pound? I have a set of... MORE
Jens... Whew!! Glad you found the problem and it's a "cheapo" fix. A new engine will give around 75psi cold and this will drop to about 65-70 @ 3,000 rpm when hot. Even this (when hot) is too high. Shorten the spring until you get the above figures for a start. Then purchase an "oil pressure regulator" and fit this instead, using the aforementioned spring. The regulator will not affect the idling oil pressure, just the max pressure. Set initially to 60 @ 3,000rpm "hot" then as the engine wears over time/miles, you can "dial up" the max, keeping... MORE
Wow was that e relief, we worked at it all evening yesterday until very late, at one moment we thought that we would have to pull the engine. A tap was the solution, we managed to thread it in a good long way as it was only bearly big enough and it took some real pulling with a grip wise plier, but it finaly came. It was badly scared with several long deep markes all the way lenghtwise. And this bugger was made from aluminium. I havnt had time to run the engine good and warm yet with the... MORE
Capt'n Bob, You of all people let them go down the wrong path? The windshield does not "Push" the air any more than a fence pushes the wind. The air flows around or over the windscreen depending on the angle of the windscreen just like the water from rain hitting the windshield while you are driving. A slanted windscreen forces the air up into the air above it creating a higher pressure above and less pressure behind the windshield, like the leading edge of an airplane wing. With a top on, the air flows smoothly across the top, lifting... MORE
Bob i have no plans of removing the seat, just the plunger that sits infront of the spring. After taking the spring out the metal plunger (valve) is still inside playing a bugger to come out. Captn, we did think of your suggestion as a possible solution but couldnt qite immagine the consequenses. You recon this is ok do you! PS! i have also ordered the new spring to suit the steel ball valve. As far as i remember when fitting it the original valve was made of aluminium which is rather a soft metall compared to steel, i... MORE
Jens.... Take the cap off the spring/valve assembly and start the motor when cold....it'll come out! (At least it should) PROTECT thyself! :):) Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 32556... MORE
Well, I thought I had a local buyer for my Sprite, but it seems to not have worked out. I thought I would check the list and see if I can get an opinion on what it might be worth. Itsa: 1969 Sprite(clear Texas title says 1964, but a typo must have occurred way back before I purchased it in New Mexico about 3 or 4 years ago) Number plate (beneath carbs) matches vin on title. You may recall: It's stuck in first gear. Crap!! Stuff I have done: Porsche 914 Seats Roll bar Tonneau cover adapted (lots of... MORE
Hi all I am looking for parts for a 77 rubber bumper midget, things I need are the steering column cover the switch for the panel lights and a set of door locks with keys, I know I could buy these new but I am on a budget and if anyone has any spares cheep it would be much appreciated. Thanks Graham "x192000" 32441... MORE
In the process of removing the rear axle I've run into a bit of a frustration. It looks like it will be necessary to remove the backing plate for the brakes in order to remove the axle fastening for the quarter elliptical spring on my Mk 2 Sprite. After removing the brakes I am unable to turn the large nut holding the bearing in place. Working on the left side I know it will have to be turned clockwise but after flattening the locking washer I am still unable to budge it. Will it be necessary to buy a... MORE
Well, Vince "The Tire Rack.Com " has 155 x 13. That size is 22.8" high and 6.2" wide, compared to the 145 SR x 13 at 22.1" high and 5.6" wide. Close. Call Mario at 1-888-541-1777 ext 270 Bill French '59 Bugeye '73 RWA frenchww@... 32419... MORE
The lack of door handles sounds right, but the biggest and most definitive mark of a Mk1 midget is the rear suspension, and its also the main cause of death (to the car!) if it's a mk1 midget it will have quarter elliptic springs not semi ecliptics like later sprites/midgets. I also suspect the MkII MG and MkIII AH had an electric rev counter, which the Mk1/II did not, this is a mechanical device driven off the back of the dynamo from a reduction device. IIRC a 948 A-Series engine number starts with a 9, the 1098 starts with... MORE
Thanks to all for the comments on the tire replacement. I'd like to go with a slightly wider tire just to fill in the wells a little and now that I know that they shouldn't cause a problem. I thought we were so close to finishing the car up this weekend and preparing to haul it home. All we wanted to do was simply replace the rear springs. But, as the karma has been with this one, the task turned out not so simple. We ended up having to break the bolt in the front bracket of each side... MORE
David, I think you stated it backwards. Typically the disc has a slightly offset hub with the springs protruding away from the center line. Those springs are what might interfere with the flywheel bolts, so they should be tucked into the clutch cover. Usually, if you put the plate up to the flywheel wrong side to it, the springs will contact the bolts. Just flip it over then. Best, Paul A "Paul Asgeirsson" 32399... MORE
Guys Cambridgeshire MASC is holding a mass gathering of Spridgets tomorrow ( Spring Bank holiday Monday ) at Collectors world on the A1122 just outside Downham Market (second bridge from the town centre) in Norfolk. We should have all MKs of Sprite and Midget on site including a blown Arkley, a K series Sebring and an Ital powered MK IV frogeye hybrid. Come and join us, all Spridgets welcome (members and non members alike), Gates open at 10am. If you need more details email me otherwise just turn up and be part of the biggest ever East Anglian Spridget... MORE
Keep fiddling with the fulcrum pin. Either it's in too far or not far enough, or not aligned with the flat perfectly vertical. When you get it in correctly. the taper pin should slide into palce with no more tha a slight tap. "joe blxfstz" 32373... MORE
Bruce, I suspect you don't have the fulcrum pin centered and the cotter pin (yes, that is what it's called) is binding on one side. Gerard http://www.gerardsgarage.com/FS_Garage.htm "gerardchateau" 32369... MORE
How do you get that #@#**# key back into the fulcrum pin? I tighted the bolt backed it up until I could feel the key slip into the slot. It locks everything it place nicely, but the thread part doesn't show up at the other end so I can put the nut ont. I've grease the key, frozen the key,lubed it, no luck. And when you hammer the sh*t out of it, it pens, and distorts. Is it OK to grind it down a little bit to make it fit? thanks, Bruce "redrider417" 32368... MORE
Just bolted up my R front suspension-new coil springs, shock,rebuilt kingping,bushings the works. But a question. On the bottom of the kingpin, where it mounts into the pan, I installed the 2 cork washers that came with the kit. Now when I put in grease, it seems to flow out quicker than it did before, on either side of the kingpin. Is this normal? Grease also flows out quicker everywhere on the kingpin where there's a zerk. Is this because there is no hard grease backing things up? Should I be concerned? Plus - those corkwashers seem strange. Would... MORE
