MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - seized engine

This weekend, I've been out picking up bits for my arkley (its Poms car on paper though!)

I bought some nice 1/2 leather mgf seats to go in it and also picked up a 1275 midget engine.

its a 12v engine and shows signs of black paint under the green paint it now wears. Horler dates it at around a 72 engine?

anyway, the guy who sold it me, said that it ran well and was free a few years back. However when I picked it up, it was covered in woodwork shavings and sawdust and I cannot get it to turn over.

I've put lots of wd40 down the spark plug holes, but no joy yet.

Any ideas for freeing it up?

Its also missing the backplate and flywheel in case anyone here has one they want rid of?

Thanks,
John


John Collins

diesel down the holes John

About half an aerosol cap full for each bore

then leave it for a day or so

but don't even think of running it without a proper look inside

Bill

Diesel or aoto transmissiom fluid. Fill the cylinders up and let it sit as long as you can.

Get a long bar that fits the crankshaft nut and after removing the plugs, try to rotate the engine in the regular direction of movement. Try a little back and forth until it frees up. If it doesn't free up, let the fluids soak longer. Once it's free, take it apart and see what shape the guts are in.

We freed up a seized Rolls-Royce Merlin aircraft engine that way.
Clive Reddin 76 Midget

If that head is still wearing the original red paint, it could be from an MG Metro - big valves.
But then you probably knew that...
Steve Clark

Does that oil filter position make it a Marina block?
G Lazarus

Smart seats, John!
Guy Weller

Ignore me. I'm being an idiot again.
G Lazarus

looks like you are starting your build from the ground up!

but some hints from someone who has been there and done that:

Leave space between the seats for the gearbox.

The steering rack operates on the front wheels and should be in front of the engine. Fitting the rack in that position will give you very odd handling
Will Munns

and to make the seat belts work more easier, consider using them t'other way round

Do you have the BBsocket for the crank pulley? If not (I'm betting yuou have though) borrow my factory tool when I get back next week
Bill

Not just to make the belts easier to work, but so that there is roome for the seat back adjusters. Remove the explosive tensioners and use the fixed seat belt anchors on the car.

But John knows that - he has done this before!
Guy
Guy Weller

yes but he had a car body before!
Bill

HI

Thanks for all comments, I'll have another look at it tonight, I was tempted to pull the head off and have a look anyway, but will give it a soak in something substantial for a few days.

Bill, I've got a big socket for the pulley nut, I needed one in the past so bought the right one! thanks for offer though.

Will, I like your comments, I shouold have thought of this and made a virtual car, I've got enough bits to do it!

Guy, couldn't think of any other seats to use! after all these go in dead easily and are more comfortable. These were a bit more expensive than my last £10 set, I had to pay £35 for these ones!

And finally, Bill knows that I have a body really to build it into! Got pretty much everything I need now except for arkley front end. (and the time to work on it - promised Pom to do house jobs before cars!)

John


John Collins

I wondered who bought it? Bargain even if you only get the rods out and sell them!

Late 12V block and very nice.
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

This thread was discussed between 08/06/2008 and 09/06/2008

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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