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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - New member

Hi picking up my 1977 midget on Friday and thought I would look on line to see what other owners support was around, found this site a WOW lots of new info already Gleened
Can stop smiling every time I think about Friday, is that sad?
J Street

Yup - very sad!!!

Join the D&C MGCC, come to Norfolk for "Janner Week" and stay on 'til Midget50!

Well done - and, please enjoy your Midget as standard for awhile, until you get used to it - then make whatever modifications you want, but, at least you'll know what you're working with :)
rachmacb

That's my next move is to join D&C and who knows maybe I will turn up to meet you!
J Street

Aha well there's a good few things going on :)

At least it's going to be sunny for you - see if there is a "drive it day" event near you on Sunday
rachmacb

Hi J street of Devon,

you're in the right place for support I can give you all my advice in one go now, even if you ignore everything else I put do get a owners Handbook (I now have actual proof of people agreeing with this!!)

and you'll be able to answer some of the questions on the forum with it too!

My advice to new owners -

Buy an owners Handbook as it tells you so much you need to know as to own, drive, service and maintain your car - (Ref: 0058) http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue_Handbooks_5.html

Always have the battery in good condition and all battery connections and leads clean, secure and protected, same for all electrical wiring and connections

As soon as possible do a full and proper 36,000 miles service only miss out items that you have 100% proof have already been done very recently, including;
g/box and back axle oils
brake and clutch fluids
coolant
dissy cap, rotor arm and leads (buy good quality ones)
http://www.distributordoctor.com/rotor_arms.html
fan belt

Check the age of your tyres if they are 6 years old or more replace ASAP regardless of tread depth, this will improve, the braking, steering, ride, handling and possibly noise, of the car greatly

Use the car regularly - to get used to it, sort out any wrinkles and prevent others, and enjoy it

Every few weeks check your horn and wipers work (no problem if you use the car regularly)

Follow regular checks, servicing and maintenance as per owners Handbook

Drive in all weathers, the Midget hood should be very watertight if fitted correctly and the heater is more than adequate, if working correctly, for the small cabin

Do not do any cosmetic or improvement work for at least 12 months of regular use, unless you need to replace parts or components, as you may need to use the money elsewhere on the car

Also very useful, you can get suppliers catalogues for free to get you started to see where things go but in my personal opinion they’re not as good paper copy like - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue_Parts_Lists_3.html

Cheers, enjoy your car
Nigel Atkins

Hi NIgel
Thanks for all of the advice! I already have owners handbook and Haynes manual! And already picked up some great advice from scrolling through these pages.
But I am sure I will be looking for more and when I have more knowledge hopefully can assist others.
J Street

Grease your front suspension regularly... 3 nipples per side. This is the oft-forgotten activity for new owners - and you can check play in the king-pin bushes and threaded trunion whilst you're doing it.

All other maintenance activities are 'the usual items' common with most cars having carbs, points, rear axle, drum brakes.

A
Anthony Cutler

And last but not least: Buy the Black book!!!
Its full of intresting modifications from simple things to heavy operations + loads of picutres.
Not that you have to modify your midget but even when you have no plans to modify its fun to read.


Arie de Best

good you have the owners Handbook as there are a couple of typos I've noticed in the Haynes (and other books)

the important greasing the front nipples is of course covered in the service schedule inthe owners Handbook
Nigel Atkins

nothing "sad" at all about looking forward to Friday and getting your hands on the Midget! What IS sad that in 1977 mine was already 10 years old; I'd owned it for two years and I was 23!!
David Cox

Nothing sad about it at all. I was so excited about getting my Midget and it was an absoloute bucket and turned up on a low-loader!

My girlfriend and I spent the afternoon playing with it and marveling at how 'cute' things like the window wipers were!

I then got merry with the hammer and it all went down hill from there! :-(

Malcolm
M Le Chevalier

This thread was discussed between 13/04/2011 and 14/04/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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