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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Help needed fitting oil/water guage

My recently aquired Sprite Mk4 doesn't have a dual oil/water gauge. At the moment it just has a temperature guage on the dash. I want to fit a dual gauge but I'm not sure where the oil pressure pipe connects on to the block (despite much staring at the block and exploded diagrams) Could someone help out please?

BTW the engine is a replacement 1275cc no 38G457

Thanks,

David
D.J Mackinder

There should be a take-off near the rear of the block on the driver's side, close to the main oil pipe banjo...

A
Anthony Cutler

just a thought, if it's a (non-original) replacement engine, does the Marina / Ital block have the oil presasure take-off in the same place?
David (davidDOTsmithAT stonesDOTcom)

Thanks both I will look again tomorrow. There is what looks like an electrical spade connector under the oil filter. Any ideas what that is?
D.J Mackinder

I have mine screwed into a threaded hole (3/8th inch I think ???) to he left and up a hair next to the dissy hole.

If you can, get an electric one instead of a mechanical one...So easy even a triumph owner can install one. LOL.

Prop
Prop

if this "an electrical spade connector " is near the aft side of the block, close to the big "pointy" bolt (the oil pressure relief spring / valve is under it), then this is the oil pressure switch. This is the usual pick-up point for oil pressure, be it by removing the switch or with a T-piece. I could post a picture tomorrow if no one else does before me.
Alex G Matla

Its up to you alex,

I've scanned thur my pics and I cant find anything suitable for posting.

Prop...I really should wear pants when working on the midget...Prop
Prop

Maybe this pic will suffice.


Alex G Matla

Alex,

Many thanks for your help and for the drawing. It looks promising! I will check against what I have here this pm and report back.

David
D.J Mackinder

Alex,

I took this pic this afternnon. White at top is oil filter, black on rhs is distributor. From your drawing it looks like the oil pressure relief valve on the left and can you see the spade pointing down under the oil filter? If that is the oil pressure switch it looks bigger size than the union I have here for terminating the pipe (it is 3/8inch). Will I need to get some sort of adapter or the T piece you mentioned?

Thanks,

David


D.J Mackinder

Looks like you've got a Marina engine. If you take out the switch you will see that the thread is not as big as suspected, it usually goes straight into the block.
I don't know what size thread it is.
On a "normal" 1275 you can simply remove the switch / connection, in your case it looks like the filter will drain then. Could be messy.
Alex G Matla

yeah, Thats No regular 1275 A-series engine.


Im afraid I cant offer anything else

Sorry

Prop
Prop

the engine is as I suspected in post #3; and no you won't need an adapter, and yes the pipe union should screw in once you've removed the switch.
David (davidDOTsmithAT stonesDOTcom)

Thank you all for your help with this, really appreciated! I wonder are there many sprites and midgets that have been fitted with these engines? I can't say that I'm not just a bit disappointed to learn that it has a non-standard engine especially as I find it hard to believe that the guy I bought it from wouldn't have known and certainly didn't mention it! On the other hand it runs well enough, isn't leaking anywhere or using excessive oil. So I think I will press on and fit the gauge (maybe do filter and oil change at the same time). I have been searching around and found quite a thorough description of fitting the marina/ital engine to the midget in "MG Midget & Austin Healey Sprite High Performance Manual." It comes up on a google book search. I reckon that I should from the description be able to work out if it is marina or ital. It looks like quite a difficult job to do and wonder why anyone would think it worth the bother (maybe these engines are cheaper?) Anyway, its all interesting stuff and I wanted to learn some more so I can't complain. Thanks again for the assistance.Its great to know there are good people out there who are ready and willing to help.

David
D.J Mackinder

Yes, the Marina engines are cheaper and were probably more plentiful at one time, as there were lots of rusty Marinas being broken.
Dave O'Neill 2

This thread was discussed between 29/10/2009 and 01/11/2009

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