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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - lowering kit

hi,
sorry if this has been covered before but i can't find it in the archive.

have removed rear suspension to fit frontline telescopic dampers.

I have lowering blocks (from Moss) but they dont appear to sit right; the proud nipple appears too wide in diameter for the hole in bush, and the inverted dimple doesn't seem deep enough for the stickey-outy-bit on the leaf spring (i'm being realy technical here!)

am i being stupid?

also on a separate note, to help pay for my new parts and interior, i have a 1275 engine and stainless steel exhaust for sale, any ideas how much i should ask for them?

thanks
for help

pete

P J Gingell

Here's a pic to better show my issue


P J Gingell

is the engine a good runner or a core unit for reconditioning?
David Smith

hi David,

the engine was running fine when I removed it.


P J Gingell

Have you tried it with the poly pad between the spring and the block?

I seem to remember I had to drill my lowering blocks out slightly to get them to work. I cut them in half too though, so might just be a memory of doing that...
Rob Armstrong

Pete, as a runner it should easily fetch 600 upwards on a well-known auction site. Forgot to ask if it's a genuine midget block or a Marina / Ital as the latter are around 200 less. Also depends on what ancillaries go with it; one went for over a grand last month!
David Smith

I believe its a marina block, how do you tell?
P J Gingell

rob,

do you mean like this?

that does look better!

cheers


P J Gingell

Yeah, like that! much better. Check it's not binding between block and spring though when the bush gets compressed.

A Marina block will have the oil filter on 'upside down' bolted directly to the block (or at least, mine did)
Rob Armstrong

It could also be Maestro or others too, do you have an engine number?

see also - http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/news/news498.html
Nigel Atkins

That car is going to sit very low at the back! How hick are those blocks - 2"?
Check your tyres dont rub up inside the wheel well, especially when you hitt a road bump when cornering hard.
GuyW

position of the oil filter.
Midget hangs down on an external cast bracket, Marina / /Ital are upside down at 60 degree angle straight onto the block just above and to the left of the dizzy.
David Smith

Are there two conversations going on here?!

Bushes go on the spring, not the block as per last picture.

Another car converted to telescopics. Can't be many left with lever arms! *chuckles*
Malcolm Le Chevalier

yes two conversations, both started by Pete...
keep up!
David Smith

Sorry, I missed that bit! Up to speed now! :-)
Malcolm Le Chevalier

right so I assume I have a marina engine spare then. thanks for the guidance there.

springs will go back on this week, almost be ready to drive again by the time the rain and cold weather return!

cheers for you help

pete
P J Gingell

after replacing the springs with the telescopic damper and a lowering block, the springs look very flat.

would this be a result of the changes i have made? or a sign i should have replaced the springs?

cheers
P J Gingell

A photo might help.

Have you checked the ride height at the rear against your expectation, how much are these blocks supposed to lower it.

Probably a test drive would be required if springs and fitting are OK. As the FL fitting instructions seemed a little ambiguous to me and if you've not taken measurements as per their instructions the dampers might be on the bump stops. I'd start with the dampers set at about four clicks up from softest to start (mine are now on two).
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 23/09/2018 and 07/10/2018

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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