MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

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 - Carb idle set up etc..

Chaps

Bodged some linkage from choke links under the non OE carbs to open the throttle sightly - a sort of fast idle.

Any clues as to how much the throttle should open on fast idle? I have managed to get a smidgen of movement - looking at the nut where throttle arm connects to throttle wire, I would estimate about 3 mm of movement - Not alot, but better than nothing as before. Jets are pulled down as they should be by the choke linkage.

Also - heard that Lucas gold/sports coils are not really suitable with 123 ignition - as there is a danger of the 123 burning out. Can anyone substantiate this?
Mark O

hi mark,
have had 2 elec ign modules on my midge burn out with gold coil, was on car when i bought it. coil has no labels on but when i spoke to company who supplied elec ign they said that is whats doing it.
regards bob.
trebor

Mark,
we had a thread recently on the subject of which coil for a 123 dissy, basically the standard coil is fine and so is the (gold) sports coil as that what I and someone else uses, had my 123 fitted with gold coil 3 years now

my dissy caps did marks up instantly though, that was interesting but I'm told nothing to worry about and the car runs very well on the 123 so I don't worry

see the Carb trouble thread for other links to the John Twist videos that might help you with the carbs
Nigel Atkins

Indeed Nigel - but the other response in this thread and others suggest gold coils are unsuitable with 123.
You appreciate the dilemma...
Mark O

It’s good that you check information given and cross reference the information, I always suggest this

Bob's response is for (different manufacturer) electronic ignitors that fit in the head of the old dissy not the fully electronic complete dissy replacement of the 123

If you find that other thread there could be a PDF (that I’ve lost now) to the installation instructions which say mistrust old coils and replace with new – this link might work - www.leenapk.nl/manuals/123midget.DOC

You could also search here for info - http://www.123ignition.nl/forum/

To back up my claim - my Spridget is my only car, it’s used all year round and sits outside all year round, the 123 has been fitted for 3 years, the sports coil was quite new so I didn’t change it when I fitted the 123, the car's had two rolling road set ups where it performed well with the sports coil and 123 fitted at Peter Burgess who sells the 123s
Nigel Atkins

Nigel -- Yes I have the original instructions for the 123 and indeed it actually states high voltage coil no less than 1 ohm can be used. However, I am aware that Lucas ain't the most reliable when it comes to repeatability of electronic gear - which although is a different slant on the issue, may give others the cause for concern mentioned.

For the moment, I'll stick with the new gold sports coil - fettling last night after engine overhaul and it seems to run fine enough.

Thanks for the response!

Mark
Mark O

I'm never sure about this Lucas not reliable business as the stuff on the cars seem to last 30+ years and be very reliable

the wiring systems on the car are quite crude but that's BMC/BL

it seems that some electronic igniter heads are a lot less reliable that any coils which last so long they are often forgot about
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 20/08/2012 and 21/08/2012

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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