MG lovers out there? (O/T)

Spudwrench

I'm a long time MGB owner, but I once test drove a 1275cc Midget fitted with a down-draft Weber carb. The accelleration was quite respectable, and the 1275 is a long lived motor, good for over 100K miles.

Moss motors and Victoria British have all the parts you'll ever need at prices comparable to domestic cars.

The 1500cc engine (shared with the later Triumph spitfire) is known for shredding crankshaft thrust washers and rod bearings. I don't think it was ever installed in the chrome bumper Midget chassis (just the later rubber bumper cars) so there may be some issues making it fit as well.

Also, the stock transmissions on the 1275cc and earlier Midgets have a non-synchro first gear, so grinding downshifting into first on the roll is normal.

Have fun with your project!

Nathan

Timco

I am looking to drop a new engine in a '64 MG Midget and have no idea where to start. Anyone work on these cars before? It is a great little car. Needs engine / tranny. Want to move up to a 1500cc from a 1098cc.

Thanks, Tim

J.C.A._3

I believe.....

That these cars were formed from compressed rust to start with. How you've found one worth restoring is, in itself...a miracle.

I see one on a trailer with a for sale sign every weekend as I drive by. I stopped and took a look the first time. The frame couldn't handle a 350CC motorcycle engine, much less the MG/Bearcat 1100 engine it came with.(YES I said Bearcat...as it was the same engine they used for a marine outboard, with a whopping 55 H.P.)

Good luck brother. If you can find someone who can repair the backwards wiring, hire him. Chris

Dave Holdorf_2

MG Clubs

I would start off googling "MG Car Clubs" and look for one in your area.

If you have one, these guys are typically great. Lots of help, find the right mechanics, some maybe mechanics themselves and even offer some help (of course with a few pints to help)

I had a 74 MGB a few years ago, still finding parts around the garage.

Unknown

Ha Ha funny Chris,

many people seem to collect those MG`s,,, myself I`m into a little larger "older" vehicle. I have a 1950 Hudson Pacemaker,, bought it in Saskatchewan 20 years ago and drove it home to Ontario,, they were built in Tilbury LOL.
Before that I had a 59 Ford Skyliner,, great car!

Sorry, didn`t mean to highjack Tim.

[Deleted User]

tons o parts and cars

http://shop.ebay.com/mg-midget_W0QQ_nkwZmgQ20midget

mtfallsmikey

Hemmings Motor News

www.hemmings.com

Tom Hopkins

Beware of the Spitfire 1500

The 1500 is a Triumph Spitfire engine. From Wikipedia: MG Midget 1500 (1974-1980). The A-Series engine was dropped to be replaced by the 1493 cc unit from the Triumph Spitfire and a modified Morris Marina gearbox with synchromesh on all four gears.

The Triumph Spitfire 1500 was junk. You would be better off using the 1275 cc (1966-1974)and MG gearbox. I'm sure there are lots of "hot rod" parts for this engine as it is the same one used in the Mini Cooper S.

I had a friend in college that was an MG nut and I remember discussing the 1500 with him. I think it has fewer main bearings than the 1275. He loved the 1275 that was both in his Midget and MG America 1300 MKII.

Good luck and have FUN...a 25 mph corner feels like you're going 60 at 4 inches off the ground! The next best feeling to a motorcycle...we cruised with the top down year round (in Ohio)...heat blasting and stocking caps in the winter.

Timco

When the old 1098cc was running (dual zenith-stromberg dash-pot carbs) I went up a steep hill in 1st as 2nd would not do it and the rpms were in the red. There was an old guy watering his park-strip and when I passed him he yelled "SLOOOOOOW DOOOOOOOWN!!!" as he watched me pass him going about 10mph...I never laughed soo hard! The old engine would strand you when you least expected, and when I pulled it, all the waterways between the head & block were filled with silvery stop-leak. Just 2 open the size of a pencil. The oil pan was filled with timing chain shavings from past episodes. 3 of 4 gears made a grind as you shifted into them. I love the swing-arm shocks and R&P steering. This car has the spoke wheels w/ knock-offs...

Tim

[Deleted User]

Resources...

I did some consulting for this group in Arvada.

http://www.britcar.org/profile.php?id=172

ME

Paul Fredricks_3

Personally, I'm a Morgan man myself.

J.C.A._3

So Paul...

You're a sadomasochist also?

Rubber gloves all around! Chris

Paul Fredricks_3

Are you saying that British cars leak? Just means you never have to do an oil change.

And let us not forget Lucas, the Prince of Darkness.

Actually, my father-in-law has a '73 4/4. Very reliable and easy to work on. The engine is a 1600 cross-flow Ford Cortina, basicallya Pinto engine. Easy to get parts for. I'll have to see if I have a pic somewhere.

And leave my sex life out of it!

J.C.A._3

OOOPS.

Sorry Pal.....I didn't mean to intruder....Oh shoot, I did I did it again..."Brittany Spears"

Really, you must have some kind of disorder to want English cars from that era.

Get yourself a "mistress" and let her beat you into pleasure...I'm thinking it will cost you a lot less in the long run.

British drink warm beer because they have Lucas refrigerators. JCA

Paul Fredricks_3

Ooooo

Here ya go:

Sorry, it might be big

Timco

Paul, that is a beauty!!! Looks like a TC (or is it TD). Thanks to all for the help. I will be diving into this project soon and will make use of all the leads.

Tim

Diciocco

MG Club

try mgccnj.org

Steve Ebels_3

A limerick about British cars

I dunno,,,,,,maybe it's St Paddy's day vibe or something but I read that post about taking corners 4" off the ground and this popped into my head.

There was a young man from Boston

Who drove all 'round in an Austin

He had room for his A**

And a gallon of gas

But his B***s hung so low that he lost 'em

Sorry about the coffee you just spewed on your computer screen

Paul Fredricks_5

Bite your tongue

That's a Morgan 4/4.

You can easily spot a Morgan because the license plate is usually something like "NOT AMG" or "NO MG"

http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/

Bob Bona_4

Paul

I didn't know you were so aristocratic.

Jolly good show. That must have been a great day!

SpeyFitter

Lucas...

One of the best T-shirts I ever saw was at British Car Day in Annapolis, Md. It had a picture of a three-position toggle switch and the caption: "The Lucas Switch: Dim, Flicker, Off"

British cars don't leak... On occasion the surface tension of various fluids is overcome by centrifugal force or gravity. The molecules then travel from the inside of the assembly to the outside via the microscopic clearances that exist in seals and gaskets, and then by gravity drop to the earth. But they don't leak.

I had a '72 MGB for a year in the late 80's. I got tired of fixing something every Sat. morning before I could go cruising (usually a Lucas electrical part, too), and sold it a year later for what I'd paid for the car and a new top. It was really fun in the right weather and cornered like a go-kart.

But on the D.C. Beltway it was terrifying to be looking UP at Honda Civics, and the 18-wheelers never even knew I was there.

I think MG's is a phase every guy has to go through once, and comes out wiser (and sometimes sadder).

-Charles

Paul Fredricks_5

That car is so much fun. My wife and drove it twice to Virginia for the National meet. Not great on the back, but great for the spirit.

Paul Fredricks_3

Mommas don't let your babies grow up to drive Morgans.
THey'll all ways have bad back, grease under their nails,
Drivin' for miles to auto parts sales.

Mommas don't let your babies grow up to drive Morgans.
They'll get soakin' wet when it rains and it pours,
And one day fall right out them damn flimsy doors.

(To the tune of "mommas don't let you babies grow up to be cowboys)

Frenchie

Lucas-Triumph

How appropriate on the Lucas switch "dim, flicker, and off" I have a 1981 Triumph TR7 and I love the car, but NEVER drive it when it is important that I get somewhere on time. When it starts it runs great, and the oil leaks just mean the floor should never rust out.

John_173

Back in the day . . .

A friend SWORE he took his Midget under an 18-wheeler. Needless to say, I quit letting him drive.

He's now my wife's stock-broker, father of three, regular church-goer. Wears button-down, pinstriped underwear, for all I know.

Still has a wild look in his eye....

Paul Fredricks_3

I've been along side an 18 wheeler in a Morgan and I bet you could do it. All those cars sit pretty low.

Bob Tonner_2

Yet another vote for the 1275 CC

I had a '73 that I bought for $500 from a teenager. The tranny was stuck in 1st but otherwise a solid original car. The tranny's for the 1275 are somewhat rare (in Canada, anyways) and not worth fixing. Once I replaced the tranny (I have a picture somewhere of my wife, 8-months pregant helping me lower it into the car) it was fantastic! We have lots of hills around Southern Ontario and it did fine fully loaded down with luggage and people.

The Armstrong shocks can be a pain-in-the-neck. Easy to replace but expensive to obtain.

I also suggest that you stay away from the Triumph 1500. It is no small undertaking to put it in and there is no benefit that can not be obtained from the otherwise strong 1275.

Bob