Hi Elin, I don’t know if you I’ll see this in time but I have restored several of these so a couple of thing that may help. Because it is a carbon bearing drivers need to remember not to sit in gear for ages in traffic, use neutral where possible. Avoids early wear and overheating of the bearing. To remove the radiator- as you have done it must come out with the shroud. Originally the shroud used fixed nuts or spire nuts, so you only had to get to the bolt heads. These go missing and people just use nuts and bolts. Easiest way to get to transmission bolts is 1. Undo the ones underneath 2. Lift engine on hoist and remove engine mounts 3. Lower engine as far as possible which leaves more room to get to the remaining bolts 4 tilt up and out. Reversing this may help you get the engine back in easier. Happy to answer any questions on these 🙂
Elin, that particular Midget appears to have had some front end damage. I had three of them, and a Bugeye. I was very poor when I owned them so I did everything. They come apart easily and logically unless they have been the victim of some poor repairs. Keep heart. You will find them to be little jewels. The “A” series engines can be disassembled with an adjustable end wrench (well, almost). Thanks for taking this one on.
I was going to mention the same thing. I own a 'B' model. At stop lights I put the car in netural and use the E-brake and my foot off the clutch pedal. Not hard when you get used to it. Went thru 2 clutches before I read the manual. Been driving it every day for 19 years now.
Holding clutch depressed eats these things to pieces...other than briefly to engage the gears or change a gear will rapidly wear them out. Sitting at stop lights on the clutch or stop and go cruizing is all it takes.
I have a 1979 midget 1500 and you will probably know by now, they have a TRIUMPH engine, the same as in the Spitfire. These are very simple cars once you know your way about, and at the moment they are very cheap to buy for restoration. At the time, towards the end, Triumph and MG were the same company under company name British Leyland.
I came her to post similar re same factory in later years. This one is the earlier 1275cc A-series- still very simple to work on once the bonnet is out of the way.
It's much easier to pull the engine and tranny out as one unit. It will be a pain aligning the output shaft of the tranny with the clutch when you put the engine back in. Looks like they had a aftermarket throw out bearing. The old Carbon style ones are better. But it is hit or miss because some of the aftermarket carbon throw out bearings don't last long. Yes there is suppose to be a bushing in the flywheel for the output shaft. It must have destroyed itself. It would not surprise me if this owner sits in the McDonalds drive through with the clutch engaged hours at time. This car will be back in a year for sure :)
All the BMC engines (A B and C) have the opposite orientation for the exhaust intake and ancilliaries to the equivalent Triumph engines (4s and 6s)… possibly deliberate by Triumph ? Anyway we all like the fact that the later Midget 1500s all got a Canley engine !
Hi Elin, Rusty knew something was different and he left you to it in the end .... man's best friend😅😅 I always wanted a midget but it never happened and Triumphs did. Can't sit on the tyres to tune the engine in this one😂😂 Thats a strange clutch thats for sure be interesting to see the new one. Missing release bearing, that reminds me of the first engine I ever rebuilt, it was an old Ford Cortina and I had swapped the crank. Couldnt get the engine to couple eventually I twigged what the problem was and a new bearing was brought!!! Good luck with the rebuild. Have a great weekend!!
Well, the last Midgets did get a Triumph engine so we can give them honorary Triumph status :P Always interesting to see how different marques are put together, does make you appreciate the flip forward fronts on the small chassis Triumphs though!
Elin. I am very interested in this issue. I have the same symptoms (for the second time!) even with a good pilot bearing fitted. I look forward to finding out what more you discover.
It looks like you are having fun with this one but promise me one thing ... Don't blame MG. It's just the badge! It is more Triumph than MG. But I know that you will do the right thing by it and fix a few things whilst reassembling. Your client will be happy which will ensure many more Rusty Midget Episodes.😎
I’ve just finished the restoration of my 1972 MGB GT and couldn’t agree more- they are as simple as the Midget but easier to work on as more space pretty much everywhere!
Elin, watching this episode, I am again reminded of my fervent wish that there exists a special place in hell for all those automotive 'engineers' who design auto repair nightmares. This 'circle of hell' would be an endless line of their 'designs' that need repair and they must do the work in the dark with only a crescent wrench, a screwdriver, and a pair of pliers to work with! lol
I kind of get your point- but I dislike even more people that bodge these cars and make them even harder to work on. Eg the Midget came with a mixture of captive and spire nuts for the rad shroud- you just needed to get a socket on the bolt heads. But Mr Bodger replaces these with any old nuts and bolts he can find and makes it a nightmare for the next guy!
![BUDGET RACE CAR: Turbo SRT4 RWD '73 MG Midget [EP1]](/img/n.gif)
Hi Elin, I don’t know if you I’ll see this in time but I have restored several of these so a couple of thing that may help. Because it is a carbon bearing drivers need to remember not to sit in gear for ages in traffic, use neutral where possible. Avoids early wear and overheating of the bearing.
To remove the radiator- as you have done it must come out with the shroud. Originally the shroud used fixed nuts or spire nuts, so you only had to get to the bolt heads. These go missing and people just use nuts and bolts.
Easiest way to get to transmission bolts is 1. Undo the ones underneath 2. Lift engine on hoist and remove engine mounts 3. Lower engine as far as possible which leaves more room to get to the remaining bolts 4 tilt up and out. Reversing this may help you get the engine back in easier.
Happy to answer any questions on these 🙂
Elin, that particular Midget appears to have had some front end damage. I had three of them, and a Bugeye. I was very poor when I owned them so I did everything. They come apart easily and logically unless they have been the victim of some poor repairs. Keep heart. You will find them to be little jewels. The “A” series engines can be disassembled with an adjustable end wrench (well, almost). Thanks for taking this one on.
I knew you'd come through in the clutch! 😊
With the carbon throw-out bearing it is important not to 'ride the clutch." The Midget, and Sprite are fun cars. I'm sure you'll get it sorted. 😊
I was going to mention the same thing. I own a 'B' model. At stop lights I put the car in netural and use the E-brake and my foot off the clutch pedal. Not hard when you get used to it. Went thru 2 clutches before I read the manual. Been driving it every day for 19 years now.
That was fun to watch...totally different not manybolts holding the engine to the gearbox.
Unusual Reversed finish on those Rothstyle Wheels.
Normally it's the inserts that are black.
ROstyle… from Rubery Owen the automotive engineering company that made them….
Thank you Elin
Holding clutch depressed eats these things to pieces...other than briefly to engage the gears or change a gear will rapidly wear them out.
Sitting at stop lights on the clutch or stop and go cruizing is all it takes.
I have a 1979 midget 1500 and you will probably know by now, they have a TRIUMPH engine, the same as in the Spitfire. These are very simple cars once you know your way about, and at the moment they are very cheap to buy for restoration. At the time, towards the end, Triumph and MG were the same company under company name British Leyland.
I came her to post similar re same factory in later years. This one is the earlier 1275cc A-series- still very simple to work on once the bonnet is out of the way.
Once it is fixed take it out for a drive and see what you think compared to the Spitfire.
It's much easier to pull the engine and tranny out as one unit. It will be a pain aligning the output shaft of the tranny with the clutch when you put the engine back in. Looks like they had a aftermarket throw out bearing. The old Carbon style ones are better. But it is hit or miss because some of the aftermarket carbon throw out bearings don't last long. Yes there is suppose to be a bushing in the flywheel for the output shaft. It must have destroyed itself. It would not surprise me if this owner sits in the McDonalds drive through with the clutch engaged hours at time. This car will be back in a year for sure :)
All the BMC engines (A B and C) have the opposite orientation for the exhaust intake and ancilliaries to the equivalent Triumph engines (4s and 6s)… possibly deliberate by Triumph ? Anyway we all like the fact that the later Midget 1500s all got a Canley engine !
Nice work, hopefully the seat for the bushing is ok.
Hi Elin, Rusty knew something was different and he left you to it in the end .... man's best friend😅😅
I always wanted a midget but it never happened and Triumphs did. Can't sit on the tyres to tune the engine in this one😂😂
Thats a strange clutch thats for sure be interesting to see the new one. Missing release bearing, that reminds me of the first engine I ever rebuilt, it was an old Ford Cortina and I had swapped the crank. Couldnt get the engine to couple eventually I twigged what the problem was and a new bearing was brought!!!
Good luck with the rebuild. Have a great weekend!!
A 1966 Sprite was my gateway drug to truimphs. The sprite was, for sure, way harder to work on under the hood.
Time for a mini-split AC from Mr. Cool.... you'll love it.
Yeah, but I have to keep the door closed and I hate that. I’d rather deal with the heat
Think of Triumphs as your comfort zone. MG’s are definitely out of your comfort zone. But you cracked the problem. 😂
Well, the last Midgets did get a Triumph engine so we can give them honorary Triumph status :P Always interesting to see how different marques are put together, does make you appreciate the flip forward fronts on the small chassis Triumphs though!
A friend had a Midget. His wife was expecting, so he said he needed a bigger car.
He bought a Mini!!
Elin. I am very interested in this issue. I have the same symptoms (for the second time!) even with a good pilot bearing fitted. I look forward to finding out what more you discover.
It looks like you are having fun with this one but promise me one thing ... Don't blame MG. It's just the badge! It is more Triumph than MG.
But I know that you will do the right thing by it and fix a few things whilst reassembling. Your client will be happy which will ensure many more Rusty Midget Episodes.😎
Good news Elin, I'm just on my first MGB GT and honestly It's so basic so for you you'll do it with your eyes shut.
I’ve just finished the restoration of my 1972 MGB GT and couldn’t agree more- they are as simple as the Midget but easier to work on as more space pretty much everywhere!
I had the exact same car with the same clutch release bearing issue. Never hold down the clutch peddle for extended time as the bearing wears
Elin, watching this episode, I am again reminded of my fervent wish that there exists a special place in hell for all those automotive 'engineers' who design auto repair nightmares. This 'circle of hell' would be an endless line of their 'designs' that need repair and they must do the work in the dark with only a crescent wrench, a screwdriver, and a pair of pliers to work with! lol
😂
I kind of get your point- but I dislike even more people that bodge these cars and make them even harder to work on. Eg the Midget came with a mixture of captive and spire nuts for the rad shroud- you just needed to get a socket on the bolt heads. But Mr Bodger replaces these with any old nuts and bolts he can find and makes it a nightmare for the next guy!
Ok, well, the good thing is that you found the problem!
MG ?? Man will do anything when the rent is due!! 🤣
If you're going to start working on MGs you will need more cans of Stella.
Where is your Jeep and how did your frame repair hold up?
better check the trans input bearing
Hmmm, nice rims.
A Yugo next
Is it the same engine as a 1500 Spitfire?
No, the Midget 1500 is like the Spitfire. This one is 1275
"What kind of socket do I need?" Oh buddy I understand exactly that feeling. I've now tapped every bolt on the engine out to metric.
You can't reach bolts? Hahaha, Welcome to Austin Sprite . MG Midget.
Zoom zoom. 😅
You need a midget to work on a midget. There's got to be a long term solution. It would be nice to see that OEM temp gage working again.
There seems to be some anti- midget snobbery going on here? 🤔
It is all for entertainment. We are all having fun with each other!