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 - New member, with issues!

Hi, I am new to midgets, having wanted one for Dickie's years! I finally bought one yesterday and have been fretting about my purchase ever since. It is a white, 74, 1275, round arch that was on ebay (you might have seen it last week) It didn't meet its reserve and I went to Wales and did a deal.
I drove home, some 265 miles with the top down and got within half a mile of home and it died. It had run out of petrol with a quarter of a tank showing on the gauge.
Q1/ How can I sort the gauge sender unit?

I hadn't noticed when i bought it but there was no door/boot key and when I got home no door lock either!!! (the guy had had it for 20+ years summer pootles only, not dodgy)
Q2/ where is the best source (cheapest) for door/boot locks?
And finally (for now) whilst stood at the side of the road waiting for petrol I noticed that the quarter lights were not a tight fit in the frames and this was due to the frames being set at too tight an angle (leaning in)
Q3/ can I adjust this or are they bent, do you think?

Oh and the hood has seen better days, has anyone got one for sale?

I am sure to be gracing these pages for some time now with a barrage of questions that I hope you can help with. (The Moto Guzzi forum is brilliant I am sure this will be too. I now have Mg's on two and four wheels!)Cheers John
J Mee

Hi!

1. Check the voltage regulator is working; the "+12" supply to the gauge is actually switched off and on to give an average of around 8v to stabilise the gauge; IIRC it's behind the r/c on the bulkhead. Or take the supply off the gauge and pop a (small 12v) bulb to earth - it should flash with ign on.

If gauge being supplied 12+v it will read high

2. Try all MG suppliers (google?)

Of course if you buy new driver's door lock, with be different key from boot and passenger...

Old locks can normally be opened with worn keys. I have selction of old keys - could bring to MG Live on Sat and you could try.

3. Don't really understand; take and post a pic... screen angle is adjustable BTW - 2 bolts each side (can see one when door open and other from insde...)

A
Anthony Cutler

Q1 put a mark where it runs out or replace it £70 new I think

Q2 If you have the key number you shoould be able to source a key at one of the big shows or buying a new boot handle/lock you may get a key with but check - why bother with door locks in a soft top

Q3 not sure what you mean, photo needed but I wouldn't try bending anything this early in ownership

NEVER, never, never buy cheap items they will be very expensive in the long run

You've bought a relatively cheap car to run but no cars are cheap to run if you don't accept this then you best think about selling it in a couple of months once you've had a few runs in it

Use it regularly and do FULL and proper services (see owners handbook) this is not a modern car if you don't look after it it wont look after you

Having got all heavty above once your into it you've got a great sports car the like of which can not be built today, enjoy it as often as possible
N Atkins

You may find that the petrol tank has been replaced with an earlier, smaller version. The capacity was increased in 1972. If you have a later sender in an earlier tank, it may be bottoming out on the tank floor while still reading 1/4 full.

The quarter lights are adjustable. If you take off the door trim panel, you will see that there is a slotted bracket at the bottom end of the quarterlight rear channel. You will need to slacken all of the other mountings too.
Dave O'Neill 2

Well, if you drove it for 264.5miles for your first trip, then you aren't doing too badly!

Check it's floating ok, otherwise, just keep it above 1/2 for now - see how you get on - it's not exactly a priority.

Probably cheaper and easier to get new locks than keys - well, new to you ones at least! Although, I do remember not that long ago someone advertising on ebay they had a supply of old ones - so, probably worth a search. Otherwise, if you don't actually need to have a locked area (and, if you do, then just go for the boot, coz that's the only bit that insurance will cover ... ;)), then, don't fret about it - again, not a priority really!

Will keep an eye out for a secondhand hood for you (there's a midget on a scrapheap I've got to find some time to go and look at ...!), so, if that's not too bad, I'll let you know. Although, here's to a nice warm sunny summer .........

Have a fantastic and wonderful time - I too had to wait for many years to get my first (OWN!) midget - and I don't regret a second of driving her :)
rachmacb

Hi John

Comments above to repair your fuel gauge are sound however most Spridget fuel gauges are the same as yours and most owners know from experience when to fill up. I generally fill up after about 120 miles and get about 4 gallons in so effectively I always have a couple of gallons in reserve or 60 miles.

My car has a full set of locks. But I never use the door locks as it is very simple to knife the hood if someone decided to steal the car. I do however use the bootlack and these are easy to come by as above.

I know what you mean with the quarter light, I personally again have never seen one that did fit square and I certainly would not suggest trying to bend the frame. Enjoy it as it is.

I would advise against buying a second hand hood, it will probably not fit anyway, all these car are slightly different. Save up and buy a cheap simple hood that will be tailor fitted perfect to your car and will last for at least 10 years.
Bob Turbo Midget England

Hi folks and thanks for the replies.
I am used to continual running maintenance as I have owned classic bikes and Land Rovers for years. I have now sold the Land Rover in favour of a bit more speed, ease of dropping the top, fulfilling an ambition and trying to stop my ears bleeding from the noise! Although 265 maiden miles with the roof down wasn't exactly quiet.

Perhaps locks are not a priority and some sort of cutout switch maybe a good idea?

I would like to get the window frames in line they look horrible so will investigate the internals of the doors.

The fuel gauge was a shock, as it was my first drive and at first I thought the engine had died. It is psychologically annoying to see 1/4 full and know it will run out. What is the tank capacity and what mpg can I expect?
J Mee

You should have 7 gal tank; 6 gals accessible.

Reckon for 30-35 mpg... up to 40 if driven gently.

I used to manage Southampton to Sheffield on weekend commute on one tank in late 70s, with a little spare.

Yesterday did Malvern-Bournemouth-Malvern with 1.8 Kseries installed on single tank; only just tho' ... would have been easier if I had not been overtaken by a convoy of motorbikes near Savernake Forest, so my speeds rose dramatically to join in the fun.

A
Anthony Cutler

You want to lock the car doors...Why? ...you got trust issues with your fellow mankind LOL

As you have noticed by now, there are tuna cans that are better secured, I use the rear boot to store stuff and like many otheres that cross over the perverbial tracks from time to time I may or may not have a switch to de activate the fuel pump, the coil or other anti theft trick (12 ga. shot gun shell aimed at the male worm, hidden under the seat with a 10 sec. count down type in pad to dis arm)

http://www.thecleverest.com/countdown.swf

Prop
Prop

I just put a Prestige Autotrim soft top on my Midget, and have been very pleased... one, with the appearance and quality, and two, with the very reasonable price.

Here's what it looks like:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/safety_fast/4518059176/sizes/l/in/set-72157623606866759/

and here's their UK website address:

http://www.prestigeautotrim.co.uk/

Looks like you can get a black one for as little as £167. With a zip rear window, the price goes to £178 - a bit more for colors.

Cheers, and best of luck,

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

Thank you gryf,

I was trying to find that also.

i got to secound the prestiage, I dont have one But my next one will be esp. with the zip out rear window

Prop
Prop

Btw... When looking in gryfs shop in the above photo, I can assure you, Gryf does NOT steal stop signs for a living. I think he *****"Collects"****** them as a hobby. LOL


Prop
Prop

Good point about 6 gall tank with 7 gall float

but

mine was the same should have had 7 but actually has 6 gal tank so insulating tape arrow on gauge at a quarter for empty

As my wife worries about us running out of petrol (only happened a few times but twice on motorways) and as the light was so low despite a new bulb and cleaning connections I bought a new fuel guage, much better accurate and well lit

but I still have to have a full spare petrol can in the boot and if the can is empty and my wife is in the car I keep very quiet about it and fill up before I get to the (new, accurate) quarter mark

Car I had before Midget used to run out at a quarter too (Smiths guages)
N Atkins

is it this one?http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1974-MG-MIDGET-WHITE-/170490189310?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item27b201d5fe if so its seems like a nice car.dont bother with the door locks. the hood buttens up on the outside so anyone wanting to get in will eather undo the buttens or slash the canvas so just leave it unlocked and dont leave anything in the car.as for the hood just look on ebay,iv just searched on there for "mg midget hood" and theres a choice on there new or 2nd hand.if your really wana change the locks look on ebay.http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MG-MIDGET-BOOT-HANDLE-LOCK-KEY-AND-LATCH-1966-MK-2-/290440319712?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item439f9792e0. this ads not anything to do with me so if its crap dont moan at me lol.as for the fuel gauge thats normal,all midgets lie bout whats in the the tank,or so it seems anyway.
roy j

My tank reads 3/4 when full, haven't run out yet, so no help here!
Dave Rhine ('78 1500)

[smug-git] mine reads full when full and when it reads empty has about twentyfive miles left[/smug-git]*

but that was as a result of a full day with the tank off and emptied of fuel and fumes and lots of bending and unbending of the wire float arm so that it reads near enough at both ends of its travel (knee cracking work, it's true)

And as it's a replacement gauge to operate with a new sender unit too there was a lot of fettling needed

The new sender unit's wire float arm was longer than the original and had a different line of travel

it took a long time to get the two to operate "in concert" the wire is wiggly snake shaped now, in two dimensions

and as this is a Midget I am prepared for it to revert to "sod you" mode anytime


* I accepted a free twenty five mile reserve setting willingly

:-)
bill sdgpm

John,

My gauge is also now working correctly, although for several years it used to stop at 1/4 full, even when empty. I found that the sender unit was incorrectly fitted in the top of the tank. Installed one way round the float "bottoms out" and won't correctly show the last 1/4 of a tank as it gets used up. Other suggestions may be valid also, but that was the fault on mine.

You can buy key-matched sets of replacement door lock barrels and boot locks. The standard Midget door lock barrels are held by a flimsy spring clip, but you can get them (as supplied for Triumphs) that are fitted with a metal re-enforcing plate and a slim-line nut on the inside of the door.

The angle that the 1/4 light frame tilts inwards towards the centre line of the car can be adjusted, although it is hard to get at. The bottom of the frame inside the door is attached with a little L-shaped bracket, one arm of which is slotted to allow for adjustment. Fiddly, and requires sacrifice of skin, but it may be possible to improve the fit.

And don't let people say that running a Spridget is expensive. Any average small modern saloon in the UK will devalue by something over £1500 a year. Compare that with spending just a few hundred a year on bits and pieces for maintaining your Spridget in good condition and it will have zero devaluation. In fact care for it well and it will likely go up in value!

Oh, and the best hoods available in the UK are made by PJM. http://www.pjm-motors.co.uk/midget_sprite.html


Guy
Guy Weller

I think I've mentioned this mod before but can highly recommend cutting a hole in the boot floor over the sender. Makes the calibration of sender and gauge that little less horrendous.


James Ballard

>>> Btw... When looking in gryfs shop in the above photo, I can assure you, Gryf does NOT steal stop signs for a living. I think he *****"Collects"****** them as a hobby. LOL <<<

I can honestly state that I did not steal that stop sign. It was a gift from David Leib after HE stole it.

;-)

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

gryf,

Yeah But.... LOL.


http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_penalty_for_receiving_stolen_property


Dont worry gryf If you get pinched then will share a prison cell togather as I to have a Stop Sign that David stole for me also...LOL

Prop
Prop

Common guys, David isn't that kind of guy. He works for the township and I understand those were being scrapped! LOL
Bill Young

Yeah know gryf,

The NSA (national security agency) does monitor all of our out of country communications .... poor david, will have to have a fund raiser to help bail him out. LOL. Then agian, I doulbt they can take him alive...

Opps did I say that over the open communactions air ways....Hhahahahaah

Prop
Prop

Bill is correct,

And I like Gryf are thankful to be considard one of Davids friends that he would share his dumpster diving treasure with us

In no way is david a low life, just a good man that wont let cool stuff go to waste

Prop
Prop

>>> He works for the township and I understand those were being scrapped! <<<

Oh, I knew that. That's the story he gave me, too.

;-)

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

It isn't a township, it is a municipality. Yes, those were legitimately retired signs that I rescued from the dumpster. OTOH, the 3-fold stop sign in MY garage is brand spanking new... someone else re-purposed it for me.

BTW, Gryf, "I before E except after C". Or were you trying to drag a red herring across the trail for me?

David "I have always found it ironic that the logo for MG and 'Safety Fast' was the same shape as an American stop sign" Lieb
David Lieb

If my car has a 7 gallon tank it managed over 37MPG at speeds averaging between 60 and 70 MPH of mostly motorway driving. That was from full to dead empty, not bad at all methinks and the carbs need tuning. I will have a look at the sender when I have got the time - a hole in the floor would have been a good idea from new.
I am now finding all the bits that I missed when looking the car over before I bought it, It's amazing how many jobs you can find to do once you start to prod and poke. And how many porkies the "very nice honest Welsh pensioner" managed to tell, or problems he left untold!!
I must buy a new hood as mine has too many issues that will make it a non viable proposition for keeping out Cornish weather.
How many owners keep their cars outside? Will it melt?Will I need to build a garage?

I notice that as soon as a thread starts to get a little stale it will shoot off at a tangent of a slightly surreal nature - like all good forums!

And, yes mine is the one in the ebay ad Roy.
J Mee

Hi J Mee,

In answer to keeping it outside it basically depends on how long you want it and how much time and money you have to keep on top of it?
My previous midget lived outside for 11 months and did about 13,000+ hard, daily traffic + motorway miles in that time basically all the chrome was ruined, arches and the sills went from new to nackered even with wax oil, weekly clean and hose down :-(

You may find the fuel gauge fixes itself as after a few fast corners mine works fine it must get stuck somehow?

>"very nice honest Welsh pensioner"
I once went to buy an mgf a few years ago from a "welsh pensioner" it was advertised as the vvc model but it didn't have the right engine but the guy insisted it was. We ended up making a dash for it as he threatend us with gun cabinet :-)

Chris
C Rich

Dave Rhine ('78 1500), South Carolina, USA

>>>My tank reads 3/4 when full, haven't run out yet, so no help here!<<<

Wow an ever lasting tank :)

All of the classic cars I've owned have lived outside, only a problem when you want to work on them and the weather is against you or your car lets in rain water (not usually a problem with Spridgets I've found, until now of course , see my thread)

A lot of hoods are cut too short so get a good one vynil one and check your hood frame and header rail first, I had Don Hoods fit one of their hoods to my previuos Spridget, lovely fit and finish, two months later the hood frame snapped and the new frame I fitted lost the good fit of the hood (things like this happen to all my cars)
N Atkins

Hi J - what's your name anyway?

Carl/Neil/someone on Saturday who I can't now remember so I'm really really sorry - told me about a fabric garage for sale at Costco for a couple of hundred quid - but yes, as you can see, snow/rain/sun - anything but pidgeon poo(!) - are survivable!
rachmacb

For a folding garage you could try Cover Systems, link below as I don't know how to do a direct link on this forum

http://www.foldinggarages.co.uk/index.htm
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 03/06/2010 and 07/06/2010

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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