MAIN
Wheels
Previous Page | Next Page
The 6R4 engine was developed from the Rover V8, in turn developed from the 215CID all alloy Buick V8. it was basically a V8 block with 2 cyls lopped off the end. The 6R4 engine ended it's life after being bored out and having two dirty great turbos bolted on in the back of the Jaguar XJ220. Not a bad end for an engine GM threw in the bin. Stewart "Ford Prefect" 31642... MORE
Well yes, that is exactly what I thought, but when I looked it up on the web, the site said that it was developed in 1985 as rear wheel drive. It was the reference to 4 wheel drive that reminded me of the 6R4. Guy "Guy Weller" 31619... MORE
Or "keep it in the family" and fit an MG Metro 6R4 powertrain. 2996 cc V6 engine Mid engine, rear wheel drive giving 0 to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds. Developed in 1985 so almost contemporary with the last of the Midgets. Not much even 20 years later can match that acceleration! Guy "Guy Weller" 31616... MORE
four wheel drive, actually. 31617... MORE
Why stop there, lets go all the way. There were several conversions in the '80s (I think Renault???) where they set up an unlimited rally car where they hopped up the front engine, front wheel drive, then built an identical engine/tranny drive and put it in the rear. Just connected the throttles and the shift linkage and clutches together. They locked the steering in the rear and presto. a 500 or 600 HP rocket ship 4 wheel drive rally car. And if you blew an engine, you could still keep on driving!!!!! So all we have to do is... MORE
A common mod is to replace the locally operated valve (ie one with the hand wheel attached on top) with a remotely operated one which are much more commonly available. The advantage of this is that you can then buy a control cable (either a heater control from say an early mini or a choke control for a Spridget - I've used a rotary control from a B in my car) mount it in a suitable place in the car and you then can control the heat without having to get out and lift the bonnet (hood). Geri. "G... MORE
How I came to a Midget...? A few years ago, my brother gave me a 1975 FIAT X1/9. He was having some problems with it. I got those fixed. It was a fun little car. Like a go cart, but street legal. Well, one day I was driving around town and happened to look in the rear view mirror. All I saw was flames and smoke. Now, mind you, the only thing between me and the fire, was the gas tank. YIKES!! I thought to myself, "So this is how it's going to end. Riding a flaming FIAT into... MORE
From: G & J Swann-Pric [mailto: swann-price@... ] Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 1:20 PM To: midgetsprite@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [midgetsprite] Re: Heater valve A common mod is to replace the locally operated valve (ie one with the hand wheel attached on top) with a remotely operated one which are much more commonly available. The advantage of this is that you can then buy a control cable (either a heater control from say an early mini or a choke control for a Spridget - I've used a rotary control from a B in my car) mount it in a suitable... MORE
Listers - I posted a message a few weeks back about attempting to get a proper title for my 75 Midget, without much luck... Yahooooiiiieeeee ! The title arrived in the mail a couple of days ago! After 4 calls to the local and state DMV offices, I finally talked to someone who new what was going on and gave me the direct line of the lady who handles such things, sent me the proper papers and local police officer inspected the VIN numbers signed the papers and bingo.... Guess it pays to talk to the proper people. Been... MORE
Alan G. Hadn't even thought of the "security" aspect of the racing wheel set-up.... right on...excellent...kill two birds with a single rock. :) Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 31519... MORE
Alan Gram... Except for removeable racing set-ups I've seen nothing that would help you in the tilt-wheel dept. Opting for a 12" or 13" "flat" rather than "dished" steering wheel should help to a great extent, though. Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 31469... MORE
I doubt if you could fit one - there isn't really anywhere for the wheel to tilt to. As others suggest, try a smaller wheel or possibly look at race-car quick-release fitments. Regards David "David Jacobs" 31449... MORE
Sounds like you should talk to this guy: http://home.woh.rr.com/rnystrom/mg_pictures_10.htm He has a GM tilt wheel in his car. I do not know if it offers him any additional clearance. HTH Trevor "Trevor Jessie" 31463... MORE
Try a slightly smaller steering wheel. It makes life a lot easier. I am only 6 feet 1and a 1/2 inches tall, but it made it a lot easier, even for me. Oh, and its probably a lot cheaper too. R "Roger Stinson" 31443... MORE
Great Day!!! Thanks to all for all the good advice. We are on all four wheels with the rear suspension in correct geometry. Many thanks to Ed at justbrits for the phone call last night that got me on the right track!!! Ice almost of the lake, Chris Craft needs an outing, Red Wings win, MG on four wheels, almost 70 degrees in northern Wisconsin, what a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!! Steve Quandt "smquandt" 31386... MORE
Ahhh... Sorry Ben Lawlor! Didn't realize you were "over there"! :) Well...there are pros and cons and compromises, no matter which way you go. The flares would look pretty cool, though, eh? :) Of course, then you'd want to "match" the rear wheel wells in this respect as well, right? Sure! (But it sure would look neat! BTDT on a '74 RWA Midget...looked real cool!:) Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 31360... MORE
Yeah. It probably will handle good that way...:) I live in an area that has steep drive ways and I like my cars "looowww". The two things never mix so that's why Im going air ride. I haven't ran my Midget yet with the air ride suspension. Iv only had the car for about 8 months and 4 of those months its been in my shop being "tricked out". I do have air ride in the front of my 85 supercharged Toyota MR2 and Tokico 10 way adjustable shocks on all 4 corners and the car rides surprisingly very... MORE
Iv installed a 13" "dished" steering wheel in my Midget. I could get a flat wheel but I think that the best option for me would be to go with a removable wheel. It will also add some security as well. Alan Gram "Alan Gram" 31513... MORE
Yeah. As Robert Houston already suggested Im most likely going with a detachable wheel, a la Formula One. Alan Gram "Alan Gram" 31462... MORE
Hey Roger Iv did as you suggest and it did help out a lot compared to the stock wheel that was in there but I was hoping to go one step further to make my life "really" a lot easier. Alan Gram "Alan Gram" 31461... 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
Last year when I removed the rear suspension to send the body off to be painted I discovered a broken spring, so I ordered a new set. After I have installed the new ones I get a wheel base of 79.25 instead of 80 and it is riding very high, so high that I cannot attach the rebound straps. I'm out of ideas so I hope someone has some. The snow is almost melted so I need to get in gear with this project. Thanks Steve Quandt "Steve Quandt" 31329... MORE
Strange one this , I suspect it 's not too important. MG book shows concave towards the outside of the engine i.e. Front of car. The Maestro A series 1300 engine shows a slight centre dish concave towards the gear, but the outer rim edge of the thrower is like a normal washer, flat. My Haynes Mini book - (all A series engines) shows the same type of thrower but with an 'F' marked on one side. The 'F' is fitted towards the outside or normally Front of car. i.e. centre concave goes next to the gear. Lindsay Porters... MORE
P.S. skip the cupro nickel, go with silicone brake fluid and don't drive when the temp is below 32 degrees F or 0 C. No rust and the wheel cylinders last longer. Bob, Troutdale, OR USA "Robert Webb" 31269... MORE
I love it when a plan works out...so far that is. As I mentioned in an earlier post, my new 175/70x13 Yokohamas on the new 5.5 inch Dayton wires were rubbing on sharp bumps and right hand turns. It was scraping the RWArch, and I was a victim of the dreaded driver side droop, not to mention the extra lbs I carry...hitting about 260 at my last weigh in. So, shopping at my handy Checker Auto yesterday, I find a "helper spring" in the trailer parts. Two leaves about 16" long, one for each side. I just installed the... MORE
