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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - clutch kits

Spring has sprung, the grass is riz..etc etc...and my 1275 midget is suggesting to me that a new clutch is likely before too long...so...what's the current opinion about sources of clutch kits. I have a roller bearing courtesy of Mr AA ready to go.. thanks all. Dave
David Cox

That, David, is the exact opener I used for my carb spring message, and deleted, because I thought folk would think I was just being silly!

Spring is sprung, etc.etc etc
So where to re-attach it?
GuyW

Search Morris Minor parts, as they’re generally cheaper than Spridget suppliers.
Philip Sellen

Never hold back, Guy!....
Thanks Philip....
Dave
David Cox

Dave,

I am in the process of decluttering and I have a couple of used clutches that have been under my bench for years. As far as I recall, neither of them had done many miles, but people more knowledgeable than me will know how to tell whether a used clutch is worth refitting.

The first two photos show what is in an AP Racing (Borg & Beck) box labelled HP1232. That's the number for an uprated clutch but I cannot guarantee that the friction disc and cover plate are what originally came out of that box (it was a very long time ago). But the friction disc looks to have metal in the friction material, suggesting it is a heavy-duty item.






Jonathan Severn

The second pair of photos show what came out of a Unipart box labelled GCC 115. I believe that is the part number for the clutch cover, though my box contains a cover, friction disc and two (?!) carbon thrust bearings.

If you are interested in any of this, I am open to offers because I really do need the space!

Jon (jonsantispam@gmail.com)





Jonathan Severn

Good question as apparently AP Borg and Beck aint what it used to be (now a Frontline brand in a box?). Wonder what Kim Dear at Magic Midget would supply?

Hopefully some more informed folk with recent purchasing and use experience will be along shortly to comment. I remember Alan A’s similar tip for buying from Morris Minor suppliers. I wonder what the Morris Minor Centre Birmingham folk stock, now part of David Manners Group.

I found NOS 9 spring clutch plates for 1098cc/948cc boxes and small bore engines online, shared with another British car can’t remember what this morning (later Hillman Imps?). You are in the big power world of 1275 gearboxes though so a larger diameter clutch?

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

Somewhat surprising, to me at least, Mike, is that the 1275 uses a smaller diameter clutch than the earlier cars. I think it is with the change to a diaphragm type spring, in place of the coil springs.
GuyW

The genuine original Borg and Beck and early Unipart clutch covers have a bevel around the edge of the thrust plate. I guess it may help to reduce the destruction of the original carbon thrust bearing. Of course not a problem with the AA roller thrusts.
Certainly the original Borg and Beck items look better madeb when compared to the later B and B items made by Frontline.
Origial items come up on ebay. May be worth trying Coastings as they have a lot of NOS brake and clutch parts www.coastings.co.uk 01564702388
Bob Beaumont

Is there a risk that some NOS clutch plates might contain asbestos?
Bill Bretherton

A risk they'll grip better and last longer you mean? Certainly!
BTW other folk, it#s Firstline not Frontline who now make the clutches
David Smith

David

Thanks for the correction, yes I mean ‘Firstline’ not ‘Frontline’ in my previous post.

Best wishes
Mike
M Wood

David
I realise asbestos was the "best" material for clutch plates and brake shoes/pads and I've handled plenty of them in the past and sheet asbestos but I'd avoid the stuff now. Our house has artex ceilings containing 1 or 2% crysotile asbestos (as used in brakes and clutches) and I'd made holes in it many times before I knew.

It can take years and years but you really don't want to die from mesothelioma, I know of a science teacher who did. But more importantly I don't want to expose my and others children and grandchildren to that stuff. I know it's all around us, many buildings and schools still have it but no-one should knowingly fit or continue to use anything containing it.
Bill Bretherton

Bill, I'm pretty fatalistic / realistic. I'll happily trade dying of mesothelioma instead of the myeloma I've already got if it means the brakes on my race car are better. Morbid jokes aside, one needs to look at the numbers and apply common sense. The people that suffered were the garage mechanics who worked with the brake and clutch dust around them all day. every day. Compare that to 20 minutes twice a year and some perspective comes into view.
David Smith

David

I'm so sorry to hear you have myeloma - I hope it can be controlled and held back as long as possible. I agree, the chances of contracting mesothelioma are quite low for the majority of the population, perhaps I was overstating the risk. When you think of what we do in a garage, I guess we're breathing in all sorts of harmful stuff - I've had my fair share of fine sawdust and rubbed down paint and filler dust. Good luck with the racing!
Bill Bretherton

Thanks Bill; it's actually defined as 'smouldering myeloma' which means it's there but not getting worse, thankfully. I just keep my platelet count up with a daily tab, and monthly blood tests to monitor it. Approaching my mid-seventies and still passing the medical for a race licence I reckon I'm on a winner anyway.
PS - has anyone else noticed that diffs are getting heavier?
David Smith

My ex sister-in-law is not long dead due to what we used to call asbestosis: not an easy death. She never was a mechanic: for many a long year a housewife. I believe the cause dates back many many years.

On to clutches: both I, and an acquaintance, saved iro £100 on the Moss Catalogue prices by purchasing 1098 and 948 spring clutches, respectively, from Morris Minor dealers.

The 1098 clutch is on a 948 that is having a T9 Sierra gearbox fitted. I have supplied a custom deep groove bearing clutch release. I am assisting with the build by Facetime, as the car is in France, and we hope to have it ready for us to visit the Bressuire Historic GP and then Le Mans Classic with a bit of touring in the days between.
Alan Anstead

This thread was discussed between 22/04/2023 and 04/05/2023

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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