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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Can someone give me some dimensions pleae

My Suzuki Jimney gearbox arrived today and I am checking on a few options. Unfrotunately I don't have an engine and gear box out of the car and could do with a few measurements. Any chance of someone letting me know the following:-

Distance from engine backplate to face of flywheel

Distance from face of flywheel to circular plate on clutch cover (one release bearing presses on)

Distance from engine backplate to centre line of gear leaver.

Depth of recess in middle of flywheel i.e, front face to face where bolts fit.

I could do with the above for both a 1275 and 1098.


Thanks in anticipation and a happy Christmas to all.

Jan T
J Targosz

For a 1275cc
your #2 (depth of clutch cover) = 48mm
#3 (backplate to g/lever centre) = 641mm

my spare engine is a bit buried and I can't absent myself long enough to dig it out today, will try tomorrow morning.
David Smith

Thanks David,

The Jimney clutch is cable operated and I would prefer hydraulic. I need the dimensions to see if I can machine a new front cover plate with a flat surface and then mount a concentric release bearing on this. The other measurement would be very much appreciated.

Have a good New Year

Jan
J Targosz

We have the Aussie branch of the family over for a couple of weeks so I'm a bit tied up on hosting duties; However I've cried off a visit to Stonehenge tomorrow so should be able to look at it then :-)
David Smith

Jan
Could you mount the original midget slave cylinder on the side of the bellhousing on that flat piece behind the hole and push forward onto the jimmy's clutch fork. i've done this with B/W gearboxes and it works fine

willy
William Revit

Jan,
your planned method for a concentric slave is how I did my T9 conversion. I machined a support block to take a ford Puma/Fiesta slave operating on a standard 1275 clutch cover. Bonus: the movement of the slave was just the right amount using the 1275 master cylinder. The only down side is if anything goes wrong with the slave, then it's a gearbox out job!
GuyW

I have thought about using a slave cylinder to push the Suzuki clutch fork but everyone raves about concentric release. The only experience I have had with these was on my old Saab 99. On this the flywheel was behind the radiator and you could get to the clutch by simply removing a cover. Guy you don't remember the depth of Puma slave do you. One of the problems with modifying parts from other cars is finding out which ones are suitable.

Jan
J Targosz

Jan, no I don't remember. But I should have a note or drawing of it somewhere - probably on a pensioned off laptop. I will have a search and see if I can find anything.I

Having said that about access to the slave being a problem, I have had no need to get to it since I first finished setting it up. Probably 80,000 miles ago by now. It does produce quite a 'fierce' clutch by modern day standards - quite a heavy short stroke between released and fully engaged but one very soon becomes used to it. I also think that with a fierce clutch the driven plate lasts longer as there's little or no 'slipping' when you drive!
GuyW

Update on this, at long last. 1275 engine.
Backplate to flywheel face = 1 15/16"
Flywheel recess depth = 1/2"

Don't know why on earth I did the previous dims in mm - broke my own rule there!
David Smith

Thank you David if you are ever in Glasgow there is a double malt waiting for you.

Jan
J Targosz

Jan.
Just out of pure curiosity...
You remarked earlier that the Suzuki clutch is cable released but you prefer an hydraulic setup. I wondered at the time why you didn't like the cable.
I've only once in my life had to replace a clutch cable in a car (although many more on bikes to be fair). In general I've found cable clutches to be pleasingly direct although it's true that some could be a tiddy bit on the heavy side.
I've actually been mulling over the idea of converting my 1500 to cable operation, having had some annoying issues with the master cylinder. I'm just at the wondering-what-if stage so I won't be trying it imminently but given that the Suzuki clutch is designed to use a cable I wondered what you have against it.

I asked a neighbour who has a Jimny (his second which he has had for donkeys years) and he tells me he has never had a clutch problem.

None of my business really, I was just curious that's all.

I'll be in Glasgow next week if David doesn't want the malt hahaha!
Greybeard

This thread was discussed between 23/12/2022 and 17/01/2023

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