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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - My first classic.

Hi everyone.

Firstly i would just like to introduce myself, I'm a 21 yearold shipwright from lancashire. And hopefully if all goes well i'll be picking up my 75 midget tomorrow!

I do have just one quick question at the moment, the current owner has replaced the enigine within the last 2 years, and has been adding a lead additive to the fuel as he was unsure what head the new engine had. Surely this couldnt really be good for the enigine if it is an un-leaded head. is there anyway of telling?

Many thanks.

A Cole

Congrats on purchasing a midget . Not sure how you can tell if the head is unleaded or not but im sure someone will be along soon enough to give you some good advise
D Stratton

If it is unleaded adding aditive won't do any harm.
Only cathelitic converters can't handle it but you 75 should not have one.

Welcome and have fun with your midget
Onno K

"---- if it is an un-leaded head. is there anyway of telling?"

Yup, take the head off and inspect the exhaust valve seats. If they are unleaded, they will be hardened.

Hello, and no doubt you will soon have your midget shipshape. :)

Lawrence Slater

To clarify if you have hardened valve seats you'll have to clean the head around the exhaust valves and look at the valve seat.

http://www.mustangmonthly.com/techarticles/mump_0909_how_to_rebuild_a_200ci_six_part_1/photo_27.html

Shows what I mean better than words :-D

I had a hardened seat fall out while driving a Mini. It would come out and pop back in when I revved the engine. Made diagnosis into why it was on 3 intermittently difficult.
J White

My guess is that if the engine was replaced (with a reconditioned one) within the last 2 years, then it will already have an unleaded head. So forget about using an additive, but maybe just check that the timing isn't over advanced.

At worst, if it doesn't already have an unleaded head conversion the valve seats may deteriorate (recess) over 20, 30 or 40 thousand miles of normal use so it is unlikely to be a problem for a while anyway. And then, when the time comes for a freshen up you get the head converted.
Guy

Hi A Cole,

great on you getting a Midget

if, with the car you don’t get a copy of the original Driver’s Handbook that you invest in one as it’ll help you no end – note this is not a workshop manual it’s the owners handbook you get with a car when new – (Ref: 0058) - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue_Handbooks_5.html

I always suggest with a classic new to you that you carry out - and it's not as much as it sounds - a full and proper 36k-mile service for the whole car, this can be done in stages but the sooner it's done the better and quicker you pick up on other actual and potential wrinkles and prevent potential wrinkles

the Driver's Handbook lists full servicing schedules and what's involved and how to do it

the other side to achieving as much as possible a reliable and trouble free ownership is to regularly drive the car in all weathers to get used to the car and find out it’s full capabilities and you’ll learn to drive it properly

I have notes on such stuff if you want any

you can get electronic versions of the original factory Workshop Manual, Parts Catalogue and Driver’s Handbook on a DVD - http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-HMCC3010DVD

when you get your Midget if you want to you can add its details and a photo to be viewed as your vehicle profile to be viewed to save having to put which model and year each time you want to ask something about it, you can also Customise to change to include your first name and even location

cheers, Nigel
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 17/02/2012 and 18/02/2012

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