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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
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
Be careful going with larger diameter tires. 155's will sometimes touch just at the front egde of the wheel opening. Depends on the particular tire and car. 165X70 seems to be okay on all cars. "joe blxfstz" 32416... 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
VInce, I believe Sears carries 145/13 or can order them. I bought the tires for my car there and though I went larger I did notice that they carried the stock size. Don't remember the brands though. Rob C Webfoot Leisure.com rob@... 866-530-9801 toll free " robbiesg@... " 32413... MORE
Need to replace the 145SR13s on the original rims. Been told that 145s aren't available anymore and need to consider 155/80/13s. Would anyone mind sharing if they've had similar experience? Does anyone know if 155/80s will clear the wells in the front from lock-to-lock or the wells in the rear in height? Any other suggestions? Thanks in advance. - Vince "brokenladder99" 32410... MORE
Hi, Vince... I had 155/80's (or 78's...whatever!:) on my '67....no problems. Actually, I subjectively felt the larger tire improved grip and appreciated the slightly lower revs at normal highway cruise speeds. This having been said... you may still be able to obtain 145/80's at SEARS. Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 32411... MORE
Also, be careful how you (or careless tyre fitters) jack the rear of the car up - try and avoid putting load on the drain plug - it's not unknown for the female threads to strip when this is done - you DON'T want to have to deal with that! David "David Jacobs" 32360... MORE
I think the spacers are welded to the RB shell, so you'd have to cut them off - make sure they don't contain the threaded holes for your mounting plates! As far as I remember, on my 1275, the rear half of the loom joins the front inside the cockpit, not the engine bay. David "David Jacobs" 32330... MORE
So I can dump the spacers on the rear mountings with no ill effects?. BTW anyone know where the wring loom runs? my shall is now in primer waiting for colour, and I have dug the loom out, had a look at it and found it to be serviceable, and I now realize I have no idea where it runs. I vaguely remember the section hath runs to the rear ran down the drivers side (UK car) and there was a bit that ran under the dash witch seems to plug into the front loom on the passenger side... MORE
The rear spring mountings are not quite the same - on the rubber bumper cars there are some spacers between the front mounting plate and the floor, so if these springs are fitted on an earlier Spridget, they will not give quite the same increase in ride height; however, they will fit ok. Regards David "David Jacobs" 32324... MORE
Wow! This is a great list:) Thanks to everyone who wrote with information, help and great advice. I didn't know about Moss, so this will help a lot. My husband is putting new tires on my "baby" as I'm typing this...so he'll be addressing the brake issue while he's in there. I hadn't even thought about cutting down regular U.S. sized wipers...it's a great idea and will work well until I can get the right ones. We have a busy week planned, but my husband knows how anxious I am to get out and show off the car, so... MORE
Which way is it "almost vertical"? The eye of the spring should be behind a vertical line from the eye of the mounting point. Even if it is only very slightly forward of the mounting point it will prevent the shackle moving into the right angle and the spring will never settle to give the correct ride height. If the shackle is even slanted a little forward then use a pry bar to flip the shackle so that it points rearwards. Do this with the wheels on the ground (or on ramps), not with the axle hanging on the... MORE
Hi Rob could you please pass on any information on fitting fibreglass front , rear and doors as i'am thinking of converting my 1968 mk 4 sprite . Regards Bob Hi Bob My first recomendation is dont! Unless you are a masochist with unlimited time buckets of money and infinite patience don't do it. Now if you are stupid enough to still be reading this the front end is a doodle just take off the wings move the wiper motor (it hangs over the edge of the bulkhead and will foul the bonnet when it is lifted) move the... MORE
My '59 Bug eye is orig. and best I can measure without moving a lot of stuff, just in front of the rear wheel from the flat floor to the lowest part of the lip is about 6 1/8 inch clearance. How does that measure up? Bill French Hilton Head frenchww@... 32300... MORE
do you mean the nut/2-eared spinner won't loosen, or the wheels themselves won't come off, once the nuts have been removed? Don't forget they have different handed threads on each side! One trick to get the wheels loose is to undo the nut a couple of turns then lower the car back down off the jack and carefully roll it backwards and forwards. This will often break the joint between wheel and splined hub. Regards David "David Jacobs" 32247... MORE
...when I want them to. I have wire wheels. The rear wheels will come off OK, but I can't get the hubs to budge at all on the front wheels. I have tried using a wooden "spanner" for extra leverage, but nothing doing. Can anyone suggest a treatment, such as a way to loosen the hubs? Thanks. Tede "tede4uk" 32242... MORE
Hi All I am going to try to rebuild the master cylinder in my 79 midget this weak end I have the rebuild kit and the hone. I have never done one of these befor. Does any one have any tips tricks or helpfull hints. I have replaced all lines both calipers all rear barke parts wheel cylinders also. And my brake pedal still gets rock hard and front brakes drag. The thing is I drive it the first time it gets hard.I let it set for about 15 mins. and the presure lets up and I can drive... MORE
G'day all Steve's tale of the welded tappet nut reminded me of this event. A few years ago I received a phone call from a Sprite owner who lived in the bush and couldn't find a local source of parts. He was after some rear wheel bearings and seals. No problem, we sent a set up to him. About a week later, he phoned to ask for a rear hub nut. He needed it as he had to cut the old one off, since the nut had been welded to the axle housing. me: "I bet it's the left... MORE
Rick The answers to these questions are as long as they are short! I can tell you what I did, but I'm not sure it will help you in your situation. I stripped all my interior paint back to bare metal using Nitromors paint stripper, washed it down with water, dried it, cleaned it all with a wire brush zip wheel in an angle grinder, sprayed it with etch primer, high build primer filler and finally top coat. I removed the carpet glue and (one of the worst jobs of the lot) the underseal/bitumen panels on the trans tunnel... MORE
Alan I can't comment on the Frogeye ones, but I can on the 72 ones (assuming there was no change from the 71 - 72 model year) as I've recently had them off my car. They were definitely NOT plated in any way. I know because I cleaned mine up with a wire zip wheel in my angle grinder. They are a natural finish, of some form of aluminimum or alum alloy casting. They're definitely NOT steel - take one off and pick it up - its very light - no way is it steel. And the 'yellow' finish... MORE
Whats up Roger I found that the steering wheel isnt the main problem. Its my frickin long legs and my propensity for wearing work boots. After removing the steering wheel I found that it made it easier to get out but I still hit my boots on the front edge of the door opening on the way out. Im hoping that the modification that Im making to the bulkhead just behind the seets will help even more. Because Im slightly over 6' I have to slide the seat all the way back "but" I like to sit in a... MORE
True, True Alan EJ!! When I had "60 series" on my PO'd Spridget it was much more difficult to push and "continue". Obvious increase in rolling resistance for sure. Way more! And they were the softer "008 R's" to boot and inflation pressure was on the low side also considering the size of the footprint (oversize, really!) and the very stiff ("sport") suspension of this car as well. Had to make some sacrifices for "ride" considerations on public road surfaces. But man, on a smooth road this car had "grip" along with fantastic "turn in" (12" steering wheel).....outstanding "tossability"... MORE
Tyre type e.g. radial V crossply and tread pattern also make a big difference,to rolling resistance. As well as tyre contact area and the height / stiffness that the tyre walls have to deflect / squish when rolling. Alan PS The diff and drive train even when not in gear will make difference FWD car V RWD car. As well as dragging brakes at front and rear for whatever the reason. Next time there's a midget gathering try a midget push test . Alan "Alan" 32082... MORE
