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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Secondhand engine.

Hi guys, this is in relation to an earlier thread i posted.

i had a bit of a smoke problem, checked compression and removed head. took head to Zebedee Engineering in wilts (seems a good chap to speak to) and he suggested what to be done on the head but...

it looks like there's a problem with the bottom end and i'll have to have the engine out.

it seems like a potential bottomless pit at a time when i can't afford it and only recently after buying the car anyway.

so i think i've decided on my course of action:

i will remove the original engine with the intention of fixing/improving what is there over the long term when time and money are more readily to hand.

but what with all this fantastic weather about i'd love to be out in the midget and am going to start a hunt for a running engine that can get me on the road ASAP.

does anyone know where i might be able to source a cheap but running engine?

many thanks in advance for any assistance

pete
P J Gingell

Since you're in Wiltshire - phone Max at racewear.co.uk - he's usually got various bits and pieces lying around - or knows where there are bits and pieces.
rachmacb

What's the problem with the bottom end (or the symptoms)?

A
Anthony Cutler

wow that was a quick response thank you.

P J Gingell

Seeing as you went to Zebs, you must be local to Calne. I'm in Bromham. Email me max-at-Racewear-dot-co-dot-uk and let me have your number, we can have a chat.
Max max-at-midgetmax-dot-com

Anthony there is quite a lot of movement with 1 of the pistons so is that rings?

Max will do
P J Gingell

Assuming bores are OK, you can fit a new set of pistons and shell-bearings with the engine in situ...

A
Anthony Cutler

Yeah, thanks, but the head has to have work done on it and then new parts for that and i don't know what else i'll find... i think i'd sooner have the luxury of spending as much time on it to get the engine i want in the end rather than just fix the problem to hand.

cheers

pete
P J Gingell

Why don't you leave the engine you have in the car and enjoy it. Buy another engine as planned, work it over and then swap it in when you are ready??
S G Macfarlane

Well, the head has to have new guides and the valves need work and new seats, then new rings at least in the bottom; this is looking at more than i can afford for now. so i'd rather find a cheap engine that will run for the summer and work on the original engine.
P J Gingell

thats my point, you already have the cheap engine you can run for the summer, its in your car. Who is to say the "cheap" engine you buy will be any better?
Its nearly June, you need to get a move on or you will miss the summer, you could pull it in September, giving you at least six months to sort it before the weather improves again next year.
S G Macfarlane

having a little difficuty finding a replacement 1275 engine even with great help and advice from Max at racewear and Kim at magic midget.

i am now considering swapping for a 1098 engine instead; makes good sense to me as this will be cheaper and "easier" to source.

does anyone know of 1 anywhere?

and is the any problems that might arise from this swap?

pete
P J Gingell

Pete in my experiance there is no "good cheap engine"
The good A series are in cars or under benches and not available unless a good sum is paid.
The "cheap" ones need rebuilding and are not cheap!

I was lucky to buy a spare engine and box from an angry ex wife from who the ex had not dared to pick them up after 5years of warnings to put them in the thrash unless he colleted them at once.

But my €150,- engine does need rebuilding
Onno Könemann

cheers Onno, but you have a priceless tale to go with the engine!!!

i am thinking of a morning of calling all round the country that my original plan may not be possible; i did managae to accomplish it a few years ago rather easily for a morris minor and thought it may be just as easy!!! how wrong am i?

the only units i have found are:

1 from the welsh mg centre for £600 (this seem like money i may as well spend on rebuilding my own now)

and Andy Jennings has 1275 and 1098 units but can't guaratee they'll work and wants an exchange (which doesn't fit my master plan!)

so i think i'll go back to my friendly machinest and have another chat and see what i do from there.

P J Gingell

BTW:

SG Macfarlane looks like he was right!

but if anyone does see/hear of anything i'm all ears

cheers
P J Gingell

Good 1275 units are not easy to find these days, in fact they've been pretty rare for some years now. Long gone are the days you could pick up a runner from the scrappies for £50.00....

Here in Aus, it's not unusual to find a 1275cc engine of unknown condition change hands for over $2000.00....!

Mark.
M T Boldry

going back a bit
"it looks like there's a problem with the bottom end"
who says, based on what info, and what diagnostics have been done to support that theory??
David Smith

Hi David,

Zebedee engineering in wilts took a look at the head and said that the smoke i had probably wasn't due to just valve wear etc and told me to check the pistons (i'm not a great mechanic...it probably shows) which i have and the problem one has a lot of side to side movement- much more than the other 3. so i am just getting into my dirty clothes to see if i can drop the sump and remove the pistons and see if there is damage there. the man i was talking to has a suspision that the piston itself will be damaged and then i'll have to check for wear on the bore.

he obviously knows a great deal more than me and i believe he is very reputable and doesn't by any means sound like he is trying to get more money out of me than is needed!!!

P J Gingell

IMO it's unusual to have piston damage that is not visible from the top unless it's just a broken ring, then again don't compression rings break far more often than the oil control ring? and bore damage can be seen by turning the engine over by hand and inspecting as the piston is on the downstroke.
Anyway, Max might have an engine in about 10 days - you'll want to see it running for confidence.
David Smith

just read email from max so i am happy.

it may well be visable but i have not a clue what i'm looking for, so until i drag my dad or some other mug round that does i'll go with what the man says!
P J Gingell

This thread was discussed between 19/05/2011 and 21/05/2011

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