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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Midget 1500 Thermostat Housing

Hi Everyone

My midget needs a new thermostat housing cover as the current one is in very bad condition, the threads inside for the plug are very badly rusted and the nut has been rounded off, the nut it is also a mild steel one instead of brass! so there is no chance of getting the plug out and using it again!

Do you know of anywhere that would still have them in stock, as everywhere I have looked do not have them listed, there are a few on ebay but they seem in poor condition as well.

Hope you guys can help me!

Rylan
R Williams

I am not really sure as I have an A series in my MKII, but Rimmer Bros have this listed

http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-156333

Regards

Tony
Tony Brough

Try Spitfire graveyard in sheffield . They have alsorts of second hand body and engine parts . As the 1500 engine is the same as the spitfire 1500 engine they might well have one . Tel 0114 2700886
D Stratton

I don't think the Spitfire engine has a filler plug on its thermostat housing

Debs will know

Where's Debs lately anyway
Bill 1

The spare 1500 spitfire engine i have has
D Stratton

it might not be out of a Spitfire, I'm with Bill but going on my memory so I could be wrong as I forgot they were on Bs(?) and 1500 Midgets
Nigel At

I'm with me too

Google images gives me zillions of Spitfire engine bays

loads of choices of engine (V8 Oldsmobile perhaps)

No visible filling screw top on the 'stat housing

(I stole a pic, dont tell anyone)


Bill 1

The spitfire graveyard also sells other parts - and the mgbhive sells old and new - as well as the other usual suspects!

Debs is in America
rachmacb

ah

dont blame her

ta Rach
Bill 1

I have a Dolomite 1500 engine and that certainly has the (plastic) plug.

The reference to rusted threads makes me wonder though as I'm sure my thermostat cover is alloy. Equally corroded, but on the outlet tube that fits into the top hose.

Dave
D MATTHEWS

You're welcome and me neither!
rachmacb

Hi Guys

I managed to fix the original thermostat housing so all is well!

Thanks for all the advice I received
R Williams

Spitfires, Toledos, or Dolomites (whether 1500 or 1300) do not have a Thermostat Cover with a filler plug as standard (nor does the triumph 1500FWD) since they all have radiators with filler caps.

It was only the Midget that had the modified cover (and the USA spec is different to the UK spec).

On UK spec cars there were 2 types of filler plug: Plastic or Brass. The former is about as much use as a chocolate fireguard since they are well known to strip their threads and blow out under water pressure! I always advise using the latter Brass plug (the mild steel plug that the OP referred to is CERTAINLY non standard and sounds like someone has done a bodge job - mild steel in alloy will cause electrolytic action and corrosion unless you run at least 50% anti-freeze).


Hope this helps.


PS: I am back from my sojourn in the USA!
Deborah Evans

welcome home

;)
Bill 1

This thread was discussed between 18/09/2011 and 23/09/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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