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I insure my frogeye through Footman James when I told them about my new 5 speed (Datsun/Rivergate)and anti roll bar they said it didn't affect the premium at all. Gary L 1958 Frogeye 1275cc 5 speed (and double pancake K&N airfilter with "Sprite" written on it) "Gary Lazarus" 31368... MORE
Hi Terry So what you are talking about fitting is basically a stage 1 tuning kit. My Mini has a stage 1 kit fitted, but it really hasn't made much difference to the insurance premium. About =A310 more per annum or something silly like that. If you do the conversion make sure that you get the right carb needles as well, otherwise it will run horribly rich. Ideally these things need to be set up on a rolling road.............. There are 2 types of K&N filters for the 1275 cars, either 2 separate pancake filters or the deep combined... MORE
Yep... You may have to do a little "fettling" to get fibreglass parts to correctly fit Ben. This is par for the course and should be pretty minimal if you buy from a quality supplier like Speedwell or Winner's Circle, both of whom have been doing these for years. Perfect Plastics is another long time supplier as well, though not sure what parts the presently stock. I myself am going over to a fibreglass bonnet for my Frog. Should about equalize weight distribution and considering limited torque/HP, every little bit of weight reduction counts. And of course in the... MORE
Hi Ben You are right in that fiberglass wings are cheap and that they don't rust, although I don't think that the weight reduction will make a noticeable performance increase. Other things to consider will be the reduced strength of the front end if the unthinkable happens, paint cracking and flaking off, possible earthing problems of the headlights and of course the FACT that they won't fit!!! Pattern steel wings are bad enough, but fitting fiberglass is just asking for trouble!!! James "James" 31353... MORE
Hi all, just thought id ask you all what u think of putting fiberglass wings on my 1500? Main reason would be they are cheap (relatively) and don't rust. are they any problem of putting fiberglass wings on a midget? Another plus i suppose is that they are lighter thus increasing BHP per ton. OR rather than wings would a whole front end be better? Just wondering probably never get around to it but i like to know all my options! Cheers Ben Ben Lawlor 31342... MORE
Hey Everybody Please forgive my ignorance but was this an option on any of the Austin Healey Sprites or MG Midgets? Im guessing not. Is there a tilt wheel steering column that would be compatible in the Spridget? The reason Im asking is because Im slightly over 6 feet tall and I would like to make it a little easier to get in and out of my 72 Midget. Thanks in advance for any info. "Alan Gram" 31439... MORE
I use the valvemaster with octane booster and it certainly stops it pinking when using cheapest unleaded petrol. Terry "terry.isherwood" 31323... MORE
So in theory 1920's and early 30's cars can run happily on premium unleaded. I'm only interested because my father has a '29 OHC Minor and a '34 Morris 10/4. Perhaps a bit of Castrol R to lubricate the stems? Well it smells nice anyway!!The Minor revs like anything (it has to otherwise you would never get above 20mph!!) whilst the Ten is as lazy as they come. What 750cc have you got?, an Austin 7 or a C-type MG Montlhery Midget....drools!! "James" 31311... MORE
James, A couple of points about the fact that lead was not introduced untl mid-30's (and then ommitted again during the war years. The lead does 2 things; 1. It "lubricates" the valve stems. This only became necessary as finer tollerances were introduced and engines ran at higher revs. Not critical for many of the earlier side-valve engines. 2. It reduces pre-ignition. Again much less of a problem on early low-compression engines. I have run an old 750 side valve engine on a mix of petrol and paraffin (kerosene) It was common practice during war year rationing in the... MORE
Nah. This is interesting, James... Lead was used as an additive to permit higher compression ratios than were prevalent back in the early part of the last century (omigod......I AM old!!:) It "delayed" the beginning of the combustion process, allowing gasoline to begin to ignite at a higher temperature (allowed for "anti-dieseling" or "run on" as it is more popularly known these days). Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 31300... MORE
Hi Ben Converting the head by fitting hardened valve seats is the only proper answer. I take the view that the worst that can happen by using unleaded is a valve buring out, in which case all that needs to be done is to have the hardened seats fitted at that point(and a new valve of course!) The additives are bad news as not only are they expensive but if the car is not used regularly it can form a gunge in the tank and clog up fuel pipes and jets etc. LRP hasn't been available where I live... MORE
James... Could not agree more with your take on "properly" going unleaded with respect to cylinder head, etc. I noted you were using "regular unleaded" before switching over to Shell Optimax. As I am in the USA we may be using the same words but with different meanings.... ...do I understand you to mean "regular" (as in low-octane unleaded) or "regular unleaded" as in "normally available at the corner pump" unleaded "hi-test" (aka "premium"). I think your gasoline is shown in RON at the pump "over there" while we utilize PON "over here". But adding about 3 numbers to... MORE
The gasket set for my 1275 Midget engine came with 4 rubber "boots" which are oil seals for the inlet valve stems. The set also included 5 (!) of the small o-rings which I thought were for teh earlier 1098 motors where they were used on inlet and exhaust. Shouldm I be installing 4 of these o-rings on my exhaust valves in addition to the 4 boots on the inlet guides? The manual is ambiguous. Also, the manual says to install the oil thrower in the timing chest concave side out - then shows a picture of it installed... MORE
I perceive, David... Oh, well....as we used to say when the electronic aircraft attitude displays suddenly packed up for no apparent good reason while cruising along in the flight levels..."stray electron.... emergency power on...reboot"! :) Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 31210... MORE
I don't think so, Tom. Considering what you paid, if it's in the decent mechanical shape claimed, I think you did OK for what you paid, personally. I owned a de-smogged '72 until a certain girl ran a Stop sign one night and her insurance co. put me into a new Fiat 1/9. Pull the head and shave it to bring the Comp. Ratio up to no more than 9.5-1, (mine was 10-1 but we had "manly" gas available at that time!:) and purchase a set of 1.75 HS4's suitably calibrated as in Stage 1 of the Special Tuning... MORE
Bill, It all depends on what you want. To keep the original spirit of the car, with "Sprightly" driving...(pun intended) and handling the Datsun 5 speed and 1275 A motor is the most popular. I haven't heard you mention the Mazda rotary. If you want to go fast and handle, that is a great way to go. 225 to 275 hp and about the same weight equals "WAY BEYOND OH SH*T"!!! Cheers, Bob in San Diego "Robert D. Gardner" 31159... MORE
I tried to post this earlier today from work, but I think it got lost in cybersomewhere.... Still looking at alternatives for my'69 Sprite, with bad trans. Maybe adding a bit more horsepower in the process of fixing the transmission. I have found some sites with Toyota engine and trans combo swaps, and a few Datsun engine and trans swaps. Of course, the most common dats 5 speed trans, using spridget engine and rear end. I also saw giant engine transplants, big honkin V8's and some V6's with variable combinations. Oh, and one electric conversion. Do any listers know... MORE
Hello Forum Can anyone tell me which ( if any ) 5-speed gearboxes can bolt straight on to a 1974 Midget? Regards paul_aki. "paul_aki1966" 31145... MORE
Ken, When you are measuring the end float on the cam are you doing it with the cam drive gear torque to spec? Without the gear in place, yes you will have plenty of end float. The cam drive gear pulls the cam forward towards the triangular plate. Biff Jones '59 Bugeye 'Kermit' '61 AH Sprite 'Ole Gray' in the "Healey Book" '71 Midget 'Freebie" http://sprites2.homestead.com/ "Biff" 31130... MORE
After 10 LONG years, I'm on the road!!!!! Drove about 145 miles (top down of course) today. I had forgotten just how much fun these cars are. Now I remember why I have worked so hard on the thing. The 5 speed from Paul A is nothing short of amazing. It completely transforms the car, all for the better. I will never own one without the conversion. Hard to describe what it is like to drive a "new" MG. In about a week I may be able to wipe this silly-ass grin off my face and then maybe, just... MORE
Alan Could it be a Ford Sierra 5 speed conversion? Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 31098... MORE
Jim I'm not sure on this one, but as I've been reading the comments it suddenly came to me. I used to have a Ford Mondeo over here and I'm pretty sure you had to lift that to put it into reverse. Now, as I said, I may well be wrong, but that Mondeo box I think is the same basic 5 speed box as used in the Ford Sierra that preceeded it -and I'm pretty sure that Sierra box forms the basis of a lot of 5 speed conversions. But I was under the impression you'd need to... MORE
LOL, Paul... Exactly my feelings after the initial drive after my 5 speed conversion..... ..."transforms" is the operative word! :) Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 31106... MORE
Congratulations Paul ! Was able to take my 74 out for a spin this morning. Don 5 speed envy :-) I can see one in my future. "Don May" 31107... MORE
Value It's worth what a seller can get for it and what a buyer wants to pay. Not much help I know . Look on our Websites for sale and wanted page for US price indication. Have you ever heard of a 5 speed trans that you have to lift up on the shifter to enter reverse? Yes I have , we have one on our pool car fleet, but I'll be blowed which car. Possibly a VW or the Vauxhaull. But I'm petty sure it's a FWD car. Again not much help, sorry. Alan "Alan" 31067... MORE
