Moss Motors, Ltd

Hi, Fellow Enthusiasts............................

I'm kinda new at this, so don't laugh out loud at my ignorance.............I'm trying to learn.

I just bought a '79 Midget that's complete, but needs a total restoration.  The engine is disassembled because it reportedly spun a rod bearing in #3 cyl.  Reading a spec sheet on the net, I saw that the 1273 engine in the pre '75's had about 67 hp. while the 1500 engine in the '75 thru '79's only put out 50 hp.  Is that TRUE??  If so, that's unacceptable.  Can that engine be made respectable or should I be looking for a Japanese conversion?  I'm not looking for a racer, but I can't be having Hundai's passing me on the highways, now can I?

Appreciate any and all input.  Thanks.

Stray Dog

1979 Midget Basket

The ones who laugh are the ignorant ones, not the ones who ask. The 1500 engine can be made to deliver somewhat more respectable power, but it always costs money to make power. Should you decide to have this engine rebuilt, make sure it is done by a professional who has experience with this specific engine. There are a couple of pitfalls it would be nice to avoid. The first one that comes to mind is the thrust bearings at the rear main. If your man is not familiar with these babies and the habit they have of failing spontaneously after assembly, then he will not know how to keep it from happening. Repost and I'll try to help.

As far as replacement with a Japanese power unit is concerned, of course it can be done. In the words of the maistro, Enzo Ferrari, "What can be conceived can be created." Of course, it can be created very very badly if the creator has no grasp of the physics and principals involved. In our shop we perform engine and gearbox swaps all the time. They must be thoroughly researched and engineered to become something you'd actually want to drive instead of something about which all you can say is that it's done (or not).

Of course, one off stuff, properly done, takes time, and you know what that means. Good luck.

Motorbill 

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Motorbill
From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon

yes it s true....the engines were so smogged out and cammed down, that they lost hp. and with only a 4 speed Everything will pass you on the highway...

 

 

mark 

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Britishcarforum.com
mgaddict.com

Interesting comment about the thrust bearing at the rear main.  I hadn't heard that before.  I've got a '75 Midget I'm ready to take to Eddings here in So. CA to have it rebuilt.  Anyone got experience with them?  Other good references here?

D

stray dog:

 while the 1500 engine in the '75 thru '79's only put out 50 hp.  Is that TRUE?? 

 If I remember from my workshop manual, the '75 thru '79's were 66 BHP, which isn't too bad.  This is somewhat dependent upon whether you have the Cali emissions engine or the Federal, as there was a difference in the compression ratios.

 I rebuilt my '77 1500 which had cali emissions.  With some simple mods, it makes acceptable HP. 

During my rebuild, I had the shop bore the cylinders .020 oversize, and I replaced the original 7.5:1 pistons with 9:1.  The head was rebuilt with a triple cut on all valves and double valve springs.  Installed a mild street performance cam from APT, which I'm very happy with.  Installed a double row vernier timing chain/gears.  Lost the original exhaust and went to a header with a monza pacesetter muffler and custom pipes.

 Now, I'm not hard on my engine as it's not completely broke in yet, but, I can spin the tires in 1st gear and still get a nice "chirp" out of them in 2nd.  Seems to have more than enough power.  I never dyno'd the motor, but the machine shop I used who has quite a bit of experience with LBC's estimates that I went from 66 BHP to over 100 HP.  Not a bad improvement.

 

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Some people are like Slinkies....
Not really good for anything,
But they bring a smile to your face,
When you push them down a flight of stairs :)

'77 MG Midget
'69 Triumph GT6+ KC54564
'69 Triumph GT6+ KC78876L Parts Car

Need Help!!!  I'm putting a mazda rotary 12a motor and tranny into a 1973 midget. I have read many websites and feal pretty comfortable doing it. My question is in brakes and putting bigger wheels and tires. What is the best upgrade for brakes front and rear? I heard of the mgb rotors and spitfire calipers, any ideas? if I use that do I upgrade the Master? Also 13 X 4 wheels and tires are not going to cut it. I do plan to add fiberglass flares. I plan to weekend autocross also. Who sells wheels and tires that fit the bill ( lug pattern) with out having to rob a bank or my kids college fund.  Help any ideas???

http://www.packracingproducts.com/ has wheels in 14" wheels that are 6" wide and have the correct bolt pattern.  Using a 14" wheel will give you more tire choices.  Classic Motorsports did the Big Brake conversion and claimed that the stock MC was adequate.  Contact "the Winner's Circle" for more information: http://spridget.com/

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BritishCarForum.com

Actually, it's MGB calipers and Spitfire rotors. The Winner's Circle has the adapter to install the rotors which are 1/2" larger. Then put MGB GT wheel cylinders which are 7/8" not 3/4 the B had the same size MC and the Calipers have the same bore, just are stiffer, less flex=more squeeze. Or you could go to Whoa Brakes and try to adapt their Wilwood calipers. But then you need a new MC. I am going the MGB/MGB GT route for my Lotus replica, but it's not on the road so I can't tell you how well it all works. I can't use the Spitfire rotors since I have wire wheels on knock off hubs, only will wotk for bolt on wheels.

Thanks Guys, You have been a ton of help. With all that go I need to be able to stop! So I need to get new wheel cylinders from a MGB???

  No, if you want to do this mod you need MGB calipers, and MGB GT wheel cylinders, not MGB , but GT only!!  And then you need to call The Winner's Circle and order the adapters for the Spitfire brake rotors. I have a brand new set of drilled and slotted Spitfire rotors that I bought on eBay before I found out that this only works for cars with bolt-on wheels. My car has knock-off wire wheels, so I can't use them. If you want them let me know, I just want them out of here.

Hey Stray Dog. I also recently purchased a 79 mIdget. THe SU burned and melted modt of the emission stuff as well as put the orange spot on the hood. SO far I have rebuilt the suspension, brakes, clutch and am just starting on the engine. Hopefully nt a total rebuild but we will see. I feel your enthusiasm fo rthe car. they are fun to have. Like the previos respomder said, don't be afraid to ask questions. I call my dad and older brother constantly (they have a 51TD and a 58 MGA) as well as a friend with a british garage.

Jeffrey, in California

Give me a call on my cell. I am intrested in them. 270-282-1648 Jamison

Stray Dog,

I have a '75 Midget with the 1500.  My book gives 55 hp. in Fed tune with the Stromberg.  I replaced the 1.5 Strom with 2 1.25 SU's on a 1300 Spit manifold I bought at the British Uniion show.  Put on a header with a 2 in. collector carried that diameter all the way back.  Had the flywheel lightened and am running a 40,000 V coil.  Reckon I'm making about 70 hp.  The big problem with these cars is the gearing.  The drivetrain delivers 16mph per 1000 rpm in top gear which means about 4000 at 65 mph!  The 3.7 rear end from 77 on helps but the car needs a 5 speed to cruise in the 21 st Century.  I have heard that the 5 speed from a Merkur XR4Ti will fit the SpitMidgets but don't have much info.

At my level of tune the car moves out right smart and I too can get rubber in more than first gear, Ha HA!  I will second the notion to have the thrust bearing situation corrected if you're doing a rebuild. 

Dr. Duck 

 

 

 

So is the problem the rear end or the tranny????  With using the rx-7 motor and tranny am I going to have a problem with the rear end gearing?? I have heard that if the motor is a stock 12a the stock rear end will hold up to the power. I have heard it is good up to 120 HP. Is that correct? Am I going to have gearing problem when traveling at highway speeds?  Jamison

 

  Sorry, I will be in Europe for the next 3 weeks, I have email access, but no phone......I will let you know when I return.