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Nigel, Some while ago I used the production figure / date tables in Clausager's book to check against my car's first registration date. Making the assumption that daily production rate was fairly consistent gave me a production date for my car at about 3 weeks before registration - which seemed to me to be about right. So maybe it isn't that bad an assumption to make. I have never applied for a BMIHT certificate, but I did send of my fiver to DVLA for a copy of all their records for the car. These included photocopies of the V5... MORE
I decided I was bulletproof against the cold and refitted the head and all that stuff and the car started! How about that!!! That 45dcoe is giving me a flat spot the size of Grand Canyon! Always had one, but it seems worse now. Cam + cold I guess. I will chart the numbers and ask around. They came from Vizard's second book. Now I can bundle up (old farts don't like it at 50 degrees ABOVE zero) and drive it. I even have a scuba head thingy if I get too cold. Too funny! Maybe I'll glue a... MORE
Terrors aren't they? I silver soldered some repairs on my radiator about 28 years ago and it is still OK. No one is prepared to take the chance. How much are you having to pay for the new one Jim? Having looked at one of these overflow tanks (my car does not have one) it looks like it may be lead soldered as original (or it might just be the one I looked at) in which case you will have to lead solder it. The important thing if you do this is to increase the mechanical strength of the... MORE
Hi listers. First the question: I see that there are seperate part numbers for the front and rear sump/pan seals (those cork strips). I just got a Payen lower engine gasket kit and both strips looked the same to me. It didn't occur to me that they were supposed to be different so I didn't inspect too close and put them in randomly. Both protruded at least a 1/4" (probably more) at both ends when put in their sump grooves. Should the excess be cut off? If so how much? Or are they just supposed to compress? Now the... MORE
Alan You've decoded it correctly, but having the VIN number alone will not tell you the date it was built, you need a book with a Production Dating chart in it. The body numbers are largely irrelevant, its the VIN number that holds the information. Vehicle # H-AN9U-84968 G was built around August 1969. Vehicle #H-AN9L-66861 was built between January and March 1967. And is a very early MKIV Sprite, the first H-AN9 numbers commenced at Oct 66 with H-AN9 -64735. Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 28454... MORE
Around 1970 the single muffler was changed to a dual muffler system. I find no reference in any of my books as to why this was done? Did some new government regulation require a lower noise level? I do know that at some point a PO of my 73 installed a single muffler and it is, for my ears, far too loud and not very resonate sounding. My 74 still has the dual muffler system on it and while sounding like a sports car is not so harsh, particularly at highway speeds. Just curious as usual. Don "Don May"... MORE
Having looked at one of these overflow tanks (my car does not have one) it looks like it may be lead soldered as original (or it might just be the one I looked at) in which case you will have to lead solder it. The important thing if you do this is to increase the mechanical strength of the joint as well. Solder on its own will have a hard job holding it, because the split is quite wide. There are number of ways of doing this but there is no point in going into great detail if you... MORE
That is relatively easy to repair Jim. Clean of the lead solder VERY thoroughly, flux it with borax and silver solder it. Do you have a gas flame torch? Incidentaly, heating it to the temperature for silver soldering will also 'normalise' the material, making it much less britle and therefore less likely to happen again for a while. "Roger Stinson" 28414... MORE
Looking at your post again, I think you mean that it is split in the shaped part of the tank. If this is the case, it will be very difficult to repair satisfactorily. Soft, or lead soldering would be a complete waste of time for this type of repair, without extra mechanical reinforcement. (ie a strip of metal shaped to the profile of the tank, somewhat wider than the split) This would be very difficult to hold in place whilst heating. Even after all this it might not be very effective. The other alternative is silver soldering, but if... MORE
While thumbing through the "Original Sprite & Midget" book I checked on the GAN number of what is registered as my 73, which I assumed it was. Turns out it was built in Sept. 1972, in fact I also discovered 9/72 clearly marked on the ID tag. I suppose it is correct to now say I have a 72 RWA model regardless of what the state of California has it listed as. Don 72 Midget 74 Midget "Don May" 28420... 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
Don Thats the 'bible' you've probably heard many of us referring to from time to time, and yes it's probably the most useful reference book you can get for Spridgets. For those of you who don't know Terry Horler is the 'archivist' for the Sprite and Midget Club. Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 28376... MORE
Thanks Nigel. Now that I look at the book more I realize that I wish the UK dash board had been left on the export models. I'm sure I have heard the book mentioned before but age often results in a Teflon coated brain. Which brings up the question: Can a modern industrial state live in a Zen state? Don "Don May" 28384... MORE
Thanks all, and David in particular Yes, that is the book I was after. I think I have read, and have, most of the books in print about Spridget restoration, but this is one I have not seen. I have been told that it is quite an enjoyable "light" read, rather than a how-to-do-it restoration guide. Probably not worth buying it but i might see if the local library will get a ccopy in on request. I wasn't too serious about the "Zen" bit. I'm not erxpecting anything deeply philosophical, after all I wouldn't class "Zen and the art... 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
Guy Yes I did know of it, but couldn't remember the name of it, all I could remember is that its got a red cover with a couple of yucky pics on it! I've seen a couple go through ebay.co.uk, but they've always gone for more than I was willing to pay (which wasn't a lot!) and from what I can tell it is one mans story of his Midget restoration. Thankfully David was able to tell us the name of the book. As I've mentioned on here many time before, by far the best book I think I've... MORE
Just received a new book I ordered from Amazon. Great detailed color photos of year by year model changes, trim and interior changes and such on all Sprites and Midgets including Innocenti. Good price at Amazon $17.47 I think a good reference source and coffee table book. Love those color photos. Original Sprite & Midget The Restorer's Guide by Terry Horler Photography by John Colley. Don "Don May" 28372... MORE
It's called MG Midget Reborn by Peter Berkin (ISBN 0 9510734 0 0) The 'Zen' bit is more publisher's hype rather than an indicator of any deep philosophical content in the book. Regards David "David Jacobs" 28359... MORE
Nigel, you may know this one..... There is apparently a book by a Doctor, about rebuilding a Midget. It is apparently more a narrative about the process, including a bit of "Zen & the art of rebuiding old cars" about it, rather than the normal DIY repair guide. Any idea who the author / what the title might be. I think it dates from the '70s and may well be out of print. Guy "Guy Weller" 28356... MORE
I use this site for out of print books and used books. I just ordered the book Nigel suggested to me earlier this week. If you got to advanced search and put in the ISBN # you should get three copies available. http://abebooks.com/ Steve Quandt "Steve Quandt" 28364... 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
Guy... Never heard of the one on Spridgets, but... If you are referring to the "Zen" book on the care and feeding of VW's (not Spridgets), I got it. It's a blast and very amusingly written. Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 28357... 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
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
