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A while ago there was some discussion of a Miata drivetrain in a Spridget. If anyone is interested in that sort of a project, I have a '95 Miata with a good running engine and 5 speed I'm probably going to part out. If anyone is interested in it, contact me off list. I also have a restored '68 Sprite that you can put it in if your want. I also have a complete '92 Miata I'm interested in selling if you want an extra sports car in your stable. The '95 is black on black and the '92... MORE
So Chris, are you saying when troubleshooting a problem such as this never assume just because it is new it is ok? I am more likely to look at something I have not explored yet (i.e float bowl sediment) and if still unresolved will go back and recheck previous work and parts. But your point is well taken. I did not think the fuel pump or filter as likely since I could drive on flat and slight grades, and normal acceleration with no issues. but will leave no stone unturned. I am also not familar with the su carbs,... MORE
Mark... You may misunderstand Nigel. What he is saying is that in simply doing a major tune-up in a logical step by step fashion (by the book), you would undoubtedly discover the cause (or causes) of your problem. He recommends this (no doubt) as it takes into account the possible early failure of "new" parts. He's simply advocating another tried and true method of (logical) "attack". :):) Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 30612... MORE
Loopy Chris says .Not quite sure if I can get the ariel lead underneath the car as I think( could be totally wrong though and I've got the wrong end of the stick!) to be legal in this country, it has to be a certain distance ( im talking a fair space here , not a couple of inches) from any fuel tank or line , in case it causes a spark or something. Chris, Put some old jeans on and look under you car at the back. Look just in fron t of the fuel tank and you... MORE
Hi Guys, Been watching this site for some time. Many of you seem to be quite the expert on midgets. I have just tuned my 68 midget, runs great around town but on a steep uphill climb, experience a loss of power and engine runs rough for about a minute before I can continue. If there is still more hill it will bogg down and repeat until reach the top. Could this have something to do with the SU carbs? Obviously, I am a novice at this but am willing to learn. Any suggestions would be appreciated, Mark 68... MORE
Mark... Running rough can mean anything, so not really enough to go on. Usually an engine which runs "rough" under load is either overadvanced in terms of ignition or suffering from an ignition system which requires attention in that the spark is breaking down under load. This could be a bad coil, wires, cap or any other individual component not quite up to snuff. It could also be a combination of worn items, as well. Lastly, there is the fuel supply. Float levels set too low, inadequate pressure (old or bad pump) or inadequate supply (clogged filter, line or... MORE
Chris, I don't know what a Din is but if you take the size of your radio opening to the store with you just ask for a radio/cd player that will fit. I am sure any store will open the package and show you the paper template to see if it will fit. Usually there is a bezel of some sort that allows the same radio to fit many size openings. Make sure to measure how much distance you have to the rear of the radio also, not just the front opening. Actually, several interesting options. Most radio/CD combo... MORE
Rick, Some of the later 1500s had some sort of "safety device" anchor strap which connects the lump to the car so that in the event of an acciident they stay together. Maybe your braded cable is that. If not, then it is an earth strap Oh, and despite what Nigel says, the 1500 engine is perfectly good if it is put together properly and treated right. It doesn't rev as sweetly as a 1275 but it has loads more low-down torque. Guy "Guy Weller" 30510... MORE
Rick, Congrats on the new project. sounds great. One way to do the DMV thing (assuming you know the car has had no DMV activity in some years) is to go to the DMV and say that this guy brought his car to you for you to do some work on it for him 4 or 5 years ago. You did the work to the tune of XXX number of dollars (perhaps 4 or 500 dollars) and the guy never came back, never paid you and you don't remember his name. You can file a mechanics lein on the... MORE
So its all old stuff, British or anybody's? We call them AutoJumbles Any chance of Datsun 5 speed gboxes going cheap? Alan "Alan" 30489... MORE
Been out driving at night with the new speedo/rev counter lights. Speedo good using original lamp holder with 2.2w bulb in the 12 o/clock hole previously covered with a plastic cap and a 5w bulb in a ford cortina MK 2 side light holder in the 4 o/clock position. Be even better if it were not for the sky blue colour introduced by the inside of the housing being painted this colour. Rev counter better using a 5w bulb in a ford cortina MK 2 side light holder instead of the original but still dark in the 4000 region... MORE
I have just been given a lathe. Something I have always wanted, but have never used one before. Can anyone recommend a basic manual. Presumably there are guidelines on what speed / what cutting tool / steel grade / lubricant / to use for cutting different metals? Guy "Guy Weller" 30371... MORE
Robbie, I think the start point is to loosen the little pinch bolts on the throttle and the choke connecting rods, so that the two carbs can move independently. Then check that the piston in each will lift and drop back down again cleanly, without catching or sticking. If not, then loosening and re-tightening the two screws that hold the piston chamber on may help to centre it. More likely you will need to centre the jets. There is a special tool but it realy isnt necessary. Just loosen the larger (upper) nut on the jet by a half... MORE
Well I have too admit after much soul searching and observation I do like the new midget I bought. I am eating alittle bit of pride here when I say that it is better built than my beloved X -19. There Its out and I can move on now! I have since sold the X and I am concentrating on the MG only. What an amazing car. Alot of fun to work on and drive. Am I just lucky? my Mg has alomost no rust drives well and seems to need little work, all of the electrical functions but... MORE
Esteemed Listers, It will be sunny and in the 50's in Chicagoland this weekend and it's time to get serious about McGee the Midget again. I have cleaned and beautified my first SU and re-assembled. Much to my disgust the throttle link/jet assembly is very sticky. This is my first crack at messing with SU's as the car came with the ZS 150. My only thought is that the needle may be sticking and/or bent. Would appreciate any input from those more familiar with SU's than I. Hints as to what to replace on a rebuild also appreciated. Don't... MORE
No kidding, Josh. I would never have guessed. Glad I have a BE and 5 speed. Don't need no steeenking reverse lights! :) Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 30174... MORE
Rob C. "Stickyness" IS usually the sign of a jet (or slightly bent needle) not exactly centered. SU makes a "Tuning Tool Set" ($15?) which has a jet centering tool which will line this little critter up perfectly. If this doesn't free things up, most likely a slightly bent needle, then. It is important to keep the same suction valve with the same suction chamber. I am told these are "matched" at the factory. There should be no sticking between valve and chamber when these parts are clean of all varnish/fuel deposit which may have accumulated over use/time. Cap'n.... MORE
Dear Listers, Just something interesting I have become aware of lately, I wonder if it is a Southern California fad or have you all seen it? It is a sport called Drifting. The object is to take a car around a closed course at high speed (sometimes as much as 100 mph) and throw it into a huge 4 wheel drift for as far as possible. Speed or crossing the finish line first is not the object, it is scored on style points like figure skating. Some times the drift can last 600 feet or so. Big clouds of... MORE
I have 2 main mechanical issues I will need to fix before doing any real driving. (I have many other non-mechanical issues, some even just mental). 1. Brake pedal needs "pumped" to build up pressure. Once I pump it a few times I can hold it down and it stays firmly (doesn't go all the way to the floor no matter how hard I push). Before I pump it, it goes all the way to the floor. When I let off the brakes, and drive for a bit, I need to go through the whole process again. I don't... MORE
Having just driven 70 odd miles on M6 at aprox 90mph most of the way with the soft top up, heater on. The wind noise was most unpleasant, and would be very taxing on a long journey. Besides that, at that speed I was getting an ear-ache from my wife telling me to slow down every 3 minutes. We bought a secondhand hardtop (for just under the same price that I paid for a complete midget) Fitted it and made the return 70 mile jouney at the same speed. Wind noise disappeared. Earache disappeared cos my wife associates noise... MORE
Well, Jim... Weight IS one advantage. With a "glass" bonnet we go more 50/50 fore/aft. I don't know what the actual weight savings is, but it IS substantial in consideration of available HP. It's sorta like lightening the flywheel but it's more effective in the higher rather than lower gears, unlike the lightened flywheel. Also, while I'm in good shape for 61, part of the reason is because I'm "aware" enough not to try to be a 20 year any more than I try to be a 40 year old, again. People have back problems (usually) as they get... MORE
Downloaded in PHOTOS section 2004 resto ALBUM The black & white Midget& Sprite club stand 150 bhp from an 1100cc engine, 0-60mph in 4 secs. Bree or Chris in an MG 2 race cars one rally RB car Innocenti midget "apjones72mg" 30024... MORE
Jim, - I agree with Nigel, I would not have called those the Fulcrum Pins, but then I am also in the UK. But, now we agree what we are talking about.... The pin part itself is shouldered so that you cannot over compress the rubber bushes by overtightening. The nut needs to be tightened until the large washers contact that pin shoulder. The nyloc nuts are a good idea so that they don't work loose. The large washers also have a step in the outer edge which must fit snugly into the hole in the chassis brackets, otherwise... MORE
Jim Not with you on this one. The fulcrum pin is the threaded pin that screws into the narrow end of the A frame (Wishbone) through the stubaxle kingpin. There is no nut holding it in place, and no there isn't a torque limit for it. Do you mean the inner wishbone pivot pin? This holds the arms of the A frame (wishbone) to the car and these do have a nyloc nut, but I'm not sure if there is a torque setting for them, I didn't torque them up on mine. Otherwise I'm at a loss to understand... MORE
Help!! I have some torque figures for suspension fittings on my Alfa, but they are given without any units. Just figures!! And they don't seem to be in any sensible range that I recognise. e.g. M10 bolt 3.8 - 4.7 M12 bolt 10.8 - 13.2 M10 bolt 8.1 - 9.9 M14 bolt 11.0 - 13.6 M8 bolt 2.6 -3.2 They are clearly not in ft lbs! My torque wrench also has Newton Metres in the range 40 to 210 so its not that either. I assume its some metric unit. Do I just X 10 ??? Italian cars!! Frank,... MORE
