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Listers - Finishing getting the exterior of my Midget tub stripped and primed and about to move onto the interior and trunk areas. Whats the best way to go about it? The trunk is fairly dirty with light rust scattered around and there is a dirty sludge in the cracks and crevices, whats the best way to remove it and paint the interior? I doubt I'd be able to get all the rust and won't be able to strip everything to bare metal so I'll be leaving areas of the original paint. What should I paint the interior/floor with?... MORE
Well... I'll tell you Jens. It sounds like the head gasket hasn't taken completely. And obviously, you have a coolant leak in engine compartment in any event. This must be found and fixed. It may be leaking from between the head and block (which you already expect) when the cooling system is fully pressurized, further indicating head gasket sealing problems. Sounds to me that once you warm it up, the head gasket seals more fully as parts swell due to heat. So the whitish/gray smoke disappears accordingly. Head Gasket: I don't think it's fully taken. Nothing to lose by... MORE
Blackish/Grey you say? Well ALLRIGHTY THEN, Jens...it's not oil!! :):) Oil is bluish in color and "stays" in the air. and....the exhaust definitely smells of burning oil (and not unburnt gasoline). Whitish/grey (or gray) is water which is a byproduct of combustion and along with condensation within the exhaust system is produced most abundantly when a "cold" motor (overnight sit, fr'instance) is initially fired up, most definitely on those cool, humid mornings when it tends to stay in the air rather than more immediately evaporate as it does in "drier" air. Black is definitely unburnt gasoline which we get... MORE
Curt.. I've heard straight cut gear boxi at the track. They're all very loud as compared to the stock road boxi, which are also loud as compared to my Datsun 210 box. The first Datsun 210 I used was an original. It was extremely quiet. The 210 box I am now using is a rebuilt. The sychros are better but, the box has a distinct (but not unpleasant) whine in all gears. Your's may have been rebuilt at one point or another, so parts might not be as well- matched as in the original unit insofar as the first... MORE
Matthew, At the risk of stirring up further controversy I believe the GVW figure is max normal capacity; two standard adults. I do now that according the the shop manual two guys my size in the Midget are over gross. I tip the scales at 225lb. Rob C Webfoot Leisure.com rob@... 866-530-9801 toll free robbiesg@... 31975... MORE
Ed, You're right and I'm not! Page 34 of the "Complet Official MG 1500 Shop Manual gives kerbside weight "including full fuel and all optional extras as 1849 lbs./839 kg NOT 1859 lbs. How much do I make out the check for and would it be for cash? Rob C Webfoot Leisure.com rob@... 866-530-9801 toll free robbiesg@... 31961... MORE
Alan, Can't help with a 76 but my official workshop manual gives the curb weight of a 1975 (Gas and all fluids, no driver) at 1,859 lbs. Rob C Webfoot Leisure.com rob@... 866-530-9801 toll free robbiesg@... 31955... MORE
Morning all, I'm pretty new to this list and "Sprites and Midgets" in general but enjoy reading all of the comments that are passed. I writing from Australia and I am not familiar with the "Vizard Chart of Performance Upgrades" is it possible for it to be scanned and send to me or can some one point me in the right direction to get a copy of this item. Thank you in anticipation Jeff Moore. "Jeff Moore" 31940... MORE
Jeff I could probably scan the pages for you, but to be honest, it's such a good book - its worth getting your own copy or at least tracking one down in the local library. Here are the details - Tuning BL's A Series Engine David Vizard Published by Haynes Motoring Group ISBN 0-85429-732-4 Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 31943... MORE
It comes from a very good book written by David Vizard. It is called "Tuning the A-series Engine." A worthwhile addition to your library Nelson 62 Sprite in progress "Nelson Wittstock" 31941... MORE
Sounds like either a) more suction on the front carb - in which case you need to balance the carbs, adjusting the throttle stop screws of each whilst litening to the induction hiss from each one in turn - or using one of the many crb ballancer kits available or b) You have not got the jets adjusted to the same point on both carbs, allowing the front one to pull more fuel through. The start point is both jets flush with the bridge ( see "cryptic manual" thread ), and then lower both jets by the same amount... MORE
Hi all, I have just started on a project to restore a 1976 1500 MG Midget, the car was given to me last weekend and it was already stripped down. The first thing I want to do is to refurbish and re-paint all of the old parts that will be underneath the car, including the rear axle, prop shaft and steering rack. I started on the prop shaft yesterday by clearing all the flaky rust off and getting it ready to treat with Jenolite before using some smooth hammerite on it, as I have not yet received my workshop... MORE
Ed in ND states..."...while this is obviously not concours..." Couldn't agree more with you, Ed. I personally have used Facet low pressure solid state pumps for years. While they now go for about $70=$80 a pop, I get them for cost, inclusive of the metal filter fit to the inlet side between tank and pump. I replace these ("hard time" preventive maint.) once every three years whether they need it or not instead of waiting for them to wear out and suddenly "fail" (which all electric pumps do in time, brand notwithstanding). The inlet filters I replace annually. Cap'n.... MORE
Hi Everyone i have to replace the back brake lines from the back union to the wheel cylinder But I have a problem a couple of fittings are rounded a bit so i cant use a wrench (spanner) on them and i dont want to use vice grips unless i can get new fittings and lines with out buying a complete set from moss. Can any one tell me if the fitting have special threads or can i get them from a reg auto parts store. I have a flare tool (bubble)so i can size the line to fit.... MORE
Jim, You don't say what the material composition of the bushing are (rubber. urethane, Delrin, etc., but all require some type of lubricant and some precompression into the A-arm. Rubber lube would be best and special bushing should come with an installation lubricant or at leasta recommendation in the instructions. The key to your trouble could be that you bought them from Moss though. Gerard "gerardchateau" 31834... MORE
Guys: Yes the stuff sets up as hard as a rock. Anytime I have used it I too sanded/blasted the metal back to bare ao not to take any chances. I think the problems may come from application over rusted metal areas, places you can't get all the rust off first. They do give good directions on it's use. Always wear gloves when painting with it, stays on your skin for weeks. And it does break down when exposed to sunlight, so you Must top coat if using in those conditions. I have not used their engine paint yet,but... MORE
The heater casing on 1500 Midgets was similar to the immediately preceding one (like my '74 RWA car) ie combined heater and blower, which slopes upwards to the blower, unlike the earlier square heater and on mine it's impossible to manoeuvre the battery into place without tipping it forwards - not a good thing to be doing when it's full of acid! North American (and Swedish!) cars actually used a different type of hinge from late '68, which may account for different opening heights at the rear edge - the new one was a cantilever type, so it ought... MORE
As regards flat or gloss, an old friend of mine visited the factory at Abingdon while they were producing rubber bumper cars and he said you could look down the rows of parked cars awaiting dispatch and pick out some that had distinctly more shiny bumpers than others, possibly due to different moulds being used. So it's your choice, but I think glossy looks better. However, the front and rears were actually different material, various sources say the rear is nylon (to resist fuel spills) and the front polycarbonate. This brings me to the point of this email -... MORE
Hi All I have a 79 midget with rubber bumpers. I wish I had an earlyer model metal bummper car but I dont. :( My question is were the bumpers a flat look or a gloss look? My midget is in great shape and next year as I save cash I am going to have it painted.But for now I would like to paint them for this season. So flat or gloss? Thank you Rick "mtman19552002" 31771... MORE
Hi David and Kay Just found my Lindsay Porter book on Midget and Sprite. The Serial number ( chassis #) will be on a plate on the left side of the engine compartment under the air cleaner. This will show you what year it is. The 61 will have a number between GAN1 101 and GAN1 16183. A number higher than that starting with GAN2 16184 will be a 62/63 and will go up to GAN2 25767. Hope this helps. Hope you picked it up by now. Enjoy Ian "mcalpine" 31742... MORE
This car is both my love and my worst enemy. '76 Midget, single ZS All cylinders firing, all new plugs this afternoon. She idles fine and smooth, but as soon as i hit the road she revs fine UNTIL about 2800rpm, same spot every time, the rev nearly stops. No matter how far i push the accelerator, it takes nearly 30 seconds to rev from 2800 to 3200, and that makes for a lousey drive. The manual choke is wide open. It looks to be getting enough fuel in that the fuel filter and the screen in the fuel... MORE
From: David Jacobs [mailto: mail@... ] Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2004 7:00 AM To: midgetsprite@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [midgetsprite] Excellent book Ed, 'sorta different' in what way? The link you posted doesn't give any ownership information for the archive; it does include the same email address I found on that website's contact page rbacchus@... . How do you get a landrover.com email address? And who owns Land Rover? Regards David "Duncan Sinclair" 31666... MORE
Some of you may already know of this book I found in Warwick Library today. Written by Anders Ditlev Clausager who was the archivist at the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust at Gaydon, Warwickshire. SPRITES AND MIDGETS, The complete story Published by Crowood autoclassics ISBN # 1-85223-509-8 It contains similar info. to Horlers book plus more, I like the copies of the adverts and techie pics. Alan "alan.east-jones" 31639... MORE
I am getting ready to get a 1961 MG Midget from a person I work with. I looked in my Moss book it looks like they started at 1962. He was in some war and had the car shipped home. Will I be able to get parts? He says it runs wonderful and it needs a little paint. He is selling the car to me for $500 Is that an ok price? Is there any info on 1961 Midgets that you could give me? Thanks Dave DAVID & KAY MAROSCHER 31622... MORE
my 79 1500 was smelling like gas badly. Noticed the water controlled choke was basicaly hanging by one screw. So, like a fool, I disasembled the choke while I was in there, just to see if everything was ok. Now the stupid part: I'm not sure if I lost it, or if it was never there, but there's no heat mass. Now my question is, it's nice and warm here in NH now, being spring and all; Do I even need a choke, or can I just seal off the holes in the carb? and how hard is it... MORE
