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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - 1275 engine and trans

I have been offered a 1275 engine with ID 12CJ/DA/H 42150 and a ribcage trans with ID VAF11 22A478. Can you tell me anything about either of these? I have a 1972 midget and wanted these for spares.

Thanks, Jack.
Jack Garrison

Don’t have my reference books handy so can’t tell you exactly what they are but yes you can use them as spares.

1275’s are all becoming valuable and all inline A series 1275’s are interchangeable.

Ribcase midget gearboxes generally have 2 different types of gear sets but case and use are interchangeable. Ribcases from other cars with different ratios are available but I doubt many (if any) have reached the US

If the price is right get them
O K

Jack, there is a recent thread in the Archive entitled Gearbox Identification.

Richard Wale posted a table giving lots of data about all of the A series gearbox variants. The number on the 1st motion Input Shaft, visible in the bell-housing, will tell you exactly which gearbox you've got.

The table told me that my Sprite has a Morris Minor gearbox!

Here's a link to the thread:
http://www.mg-cars.net/mg-midget-sprite-technical-bbs/gearbox-identification-2020060621462151479.htm

Colin
C Mee

Unless the table was updated there were a few minor errors, can't remember (don't know) what but still great info.

There might be a date on the box, e.g. 9 71 (Sept 1971).

The engine, 12CJ, is earlier than 1972.

Unless the engine and box are totally original you wouldn't be sure of the parts and components anyway but there'd be a lot of matching parts and components and probably able to drop in as whole units apart or together.
Nigel Atkins

the engine is from late 1970 or early '71 so will be a good spare and v similar to yours. The numbers you've given for the gearbox are just generic casting numbers; as Nigel said you need to find the number stamped onto the input shaft - that link
will tell you all you need to know.
David Smith

Keeping them for spares may not be the best option. Which parts do you think you might need to use off them? Its probably more cost effective to source individual parts as and when needed. Then sell these as they are, they would currently get good prices. Or, if your current engine and gearbox are poor, then recondition these, do the switch and then sell and unwanted ones. Even as a core for reconditioning a 1275 and ribcase could be worth £1000+
GuyW

I agree Guy

I have a spare 1275 which I had bored, new pistons crank grind etc in the anticipation of the current 1275 in the frog needing replacement. I stripped it earlier last year and apart from a new camshaft and rings it was in very good order. With an annual mileage of less than 3000 I can't see I will wearout in my lifetime.
Bob Beaumont

Thanks for all the help.
JHG Garrison

No spares and stock are better than money in the bank and always on hand when needed !

Currently they are appreciating and I believe make more money than any financial investments you can find - but only if you want to sell them !

Or needed by someone else !!!!

R.
richard b

I agree, Richard.

On the subject of engines, does anyone have a spare 1500 engine? I think I've bought a project!
Dave O'Neill 2

This thread was discussed between 01/01/2021 and 02/01/2021

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.