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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - spare parts list

Fellow midget owners, I'm planning a trip to France this year with Midget, never taken it abroad before, bit scary but here goes, my questions are, has anyone had trouble getting on and off a car ferry (ie Portsmouth) I'm thinking my car is quite low to the ground will it scrape? the other question if you can help (this should be fun) can you tell me what you would take as spare parts, should breakdown occur, within reason ofcourse, not spare gearbox and propshaft Ha! Ha!

I was think of mainly electrics and disi parts, anyway any help would be great.

cheers Jack.

ps: I'm only going to Normandy so not too much motoring.
J Torrance

European health card / E111.

Fit an Aldon Ignitor (Aldon Automotive)and a red rotor from Distributor Doctor to replace points & condensor. Carry a spare base plate with points and condensor just in case.

Got another Spridget out of trouble at Arnhem when an alternative electronic inition failed but on that occasion I carried a spare dizzy set up with points.

I carry a spare coil bolted under the bonnet. A spare fuel pump is handy - got another Spridget out of trouble at Azay Le Rizeau / France with my spare.

Ive had the dynamo apart in Spain to fit new brushes. Fitted a new brake pressure switch in Florence.

I have a head gasket set under the drivers seat.
Give the car a service, & road test before you go.

Brush up on 'Priorite droit' / Give way to right as some towns now use it for traffic management and its not uncommon in rural areas.

Beware of ethanol in petrol.

Anglo Parts have a shop north of Calais.

Have an enjoyable time.
A Anstead

There's a few threads in the archives on this subject, including one started by myself :)

I lug around spare plugs, HT leads, oil, head gasket, dizzy cap, a coil, a few feet of wire, a length of fuel hose, a throttle cable, and a fanbelt, thereby ensuring that none of those items will ever give me trouble.
Jordan Gibson

Just make sure it is in good condition and you have european breakdown cover in your insurance/AA.

In my experiance the part you failed to bring is the one that goes bust!

So i just carry a tool bag, wire, tape, tube of sealant and a can of tire foam.
Onno Könemann

With my present Midget Ive only been to France once, no problems and Belgium once when the (PO reconned) alternator played up on the English side of the tunnel but I still went and would have made the full journey there and back and the tour had I not forgotten to turn my headlights off after wed cleared the mist on the roads I still wouldnt suggest taking a spare alternator just having a new build and uprated alternator

I prefer prevention to cure I take very little but it depends on how good your car components are as to how many spares and tools you take (and where do you stop anyway)

My possible suggestions for you

Best to have
a good battery and connections(very important)
a full and proper 36,000 miles service within say the last two years
plenty of tread on tyres less than 5 years old
thoroughly road tested the car and any new components a few weeks before going
a owners Handbook
fitted new red rotor arm, ignition leads, dissy cap, fan belt

Spares
compulsory requirement in France
keys for the car
petrol in can
fuses
(your) previous fitted (pre stretched) fan belt
plus for you
longest ignition lead from previous set

Tools
small tool roll
some double open ended AF spanners (with two 7/16, , and 9/16 ends)
torch
clean rags and paper towel
footpump
Tyre Weld
plus for you
roll of insulating tape
long length of pliable wire
WD-40


Personally Ive not carried a spare wheel at anytime during the past 20 years ,and hundreds of thousands of miles, this gives me much more room in the boot, instead I carry a footpump and reliable tyre pressure gauge plus a can of Tyre Weld in 20 years Ive never had to use the Tyre Weld and the footpump only three times with three punctures note Ive never had wire wheels
Nigel Atkins

A credit card.
A spare credit card.
;o)
Dave O'Neill 2

I am the same as Onno

I have been to France every year for as long as I can remember. Although lately I have been using my MGA and not my Midget.

With ignition problems all parts are readily available in French Motoring shops although I have had occasionally a complete dissy with me. I repaired an MGB mates fuel pump at the side of the road and also did Dynamo brushes. (Just bent the spring to push the brush further towards the com.

The point is many things can be repaired on the hoof at the side of the road with a little engineering.

As Onno says the problems that generally occur are things you can not imagine.

I had an exhaust pipe split. Unfortunately didn't have a spare in the boot. LOL however with a bit of zinc plate (French drain pipe) and a couple of jubilee clips and putty from a french garage, job done.

Oil cooler split again no spare in boot. LOL It was easy to sort by using one of the pipes to bypass the cooler.

So take a dissy by all means but be aware of the word Mini, that will get you most of the bits you need from the French motor shop and finally armed with a bottle of Red, drop into a local garage and the man will repair anything!

Contrary to many on here the French are extremely nice friendly people and will warm to anyone in an MG (or Austin Healey)

Biggest problem is the ground clearence getting on and off the ferries. I always had trouble until I started using Euro tunnel that is flat but the ferry is poor in that respect especially when fully loaded ( on the return trip generally)
Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo

Alan
North of Calais can get quite wet!
Cheers, Alistair
A.G Peters

Belt(s)
Generator brushes (if applicable)
Control box (if applicable)
an accelerator cable (I have changed 2 on the road)
Jumper cables
Glenn Mallory

Thanks guys for the reassurance, I'm probably worrying about nothing, I like Dave's idea credit card! brilliant! thanks Nigel very comprehensive list, I agree with Onno and Bob, you could have a boot full of spares but not the one you need.

Well thanks again, I will sit and pick out the best bits from the thread, and i'll have a look at the other thread Jordan.

cheers Jack.

ps: I hope you are all not expecting a bottle of red in the post LOL
J Torrance

Dont forget to download the Mutual Assistance Directory from the Midget&sprite club.
Where ever you break down, check if there is a fellow spridgetowner close by who can be of assistance.

Very important too: bring a part catalogue, if something breaks down you can point at it at a french garage or know what to order by partnumber.
Arie de Best

This thread was discussed between 17/01/2011 and 18/01/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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