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 - Thermostat housings

I think from reading past threads that these are currently unobtainable? After bead blasting this I can see the two cracks and I'm pondering my chances of grinding them out and repairing with the TIG.
The alternative will be hassling the sprog to waste his valuable time machining a new one on his CNC mill from a billet of aluminium.
Anyone had similar trouble? I probably wouldn't have seen them if I hadn't cleaned it up.


P Simpson

I Googled after posting and can't delete the original now, but I see MED can supply them. I can have a go at melting it happy in the knowledge that I can get another if it ends in disaster.
Paul MkIMkIV

Is there any sort of liquid metal you could use?
Nigel Atkins

Not cheap are they! But if they are to original spec and good quality, given how long they last, they look worth it. I think I'll replace mine too as it's a tad corroded.

https://www.med-engineering.co.uk/ancillaries/cooling/midget-thermostat-housing





anamnesis

Paul, if TIG is too fierce for the casting, there are low melting point aluminium filler rods that are supposed to work with a propane/ butane flame. I have a few I could drop over if you want to try them.
GuyW

What Guy said.
The only brand I've personally used is called Lumiweld and it works very well. I use one of those forced flame gas torches intended for cooks to make creme brulee.
OTOH I don't see why Chemical Metal wouldn't work on your housing. It's pretty good stuff too - I used it recently to stop a leak on a wet exhaust water jacket and it's holding up okay.
Greybeard

Thanks Guy. I cut the crack out and it welded up surprisingly easily, cleaned up with a carbide burr and blasted it again.
I reckon that the corroded ones could be reclaimed in a similar fashion.
It's in my anodising tank now which might reduce future corrosion a little bit.

I discovered this trouble when the engine got rather hot and stopped last week, that might be a whole bundle of trouble. Once it had cooled down it did run perfectly, but there was a point when I wondered if it was toast.


Paul MkIMkIV

Paul,

Good going on the repair. TIG would certainly be my choice if available and very controllable if you have the ability to vary the current on the fly.
David Billington

Is that on the Frog or the Austin Sprite, Paul?
GuyW

That one's on the MkIV. I spent the day making some stainless studs to re-fit it with, the effort involved makes the MED offerings look like an absolute bargain I think.

My aluminium TIG seems to have improved after much struggling while welding up bits of Landrover Series 1 bodywork. Aluminium TIG is to my mind far more difficult than any super thin walled steel, stainless or titanium.
Paul MkIMkIV

Do you mean anything like these. - https://minispares.com/search/classic/C-STR281.aspx
Nigel Atkins

Quite 'cheap' to buy 3 of those. £7.17 inc vat. But how much for uk delivery?
anamnesis

Nigel, yes, those are even cheaper, and makes my workshop time come in at about 70p/hr. Although I suppose that isn't really the point is it? It's "fun".
Paul MkIMkIV

anam,
that the rub, IIRC (but check) P&P stats at £7.95(?) order with other low priced bits like 1 litre of Delphi brake fluid at £5.50(?) the P&P cost can be spread.
Nigel Atkins

Fun? Really? If you're harming no one and it's legal what you do in the privacy of your shed to get your kicks is fine by me. 🙂

My wife would smile at me as I sorted my UNF setscrews, nuts and washers by size for storage, although she didn't say so I'm sure she was very impressed and pleased for me. 🙂
Nigel Atkins

I would endorse the idea of using metallic resin. My housing corroded right through several years ago, and I repaired it with an aluminium plate inside, a bolt, and a nut on the outside, all sealed with Araldite Metal. It was actually one from a Marina as it has the fan thermo switch hole, so was new when fitted. Only lasted a few years. I bought a new one but the thread for the switch is different, strangely.

I have also used aluminium brazing rods with some success, but I can't remember the brand. I repaired the windscreen stanchion where the toe broke off. Strong although not very pretty. I had to use the propane torch as butane was not hot enough.

I even struggled through using aluminium wire in the MIG welder, but not on the car. This was a mounting frame for the motorhome's back box, from square section tubing. Again not pretty but it has hung together for 9 years so far. It's no good for anything thick though.
Les Rose

This thread was discussed between 31/08/2022 and 02/09/2022

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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