Moss Motors, Ltd

Hey all. Just joined the forum, just bought a 1965 MG Midget, and eager to start bringing it back to life. Just one small problem; I haven’t the slightest idea what I’m doing. I know, I know; it should be a crime. But hey, I’ve always wanted to do this and you have to start somewhere, so prepare yourselves for more questions that should be considered proper forum etiquette.

 

Here are my first three questions:

First, to start the car I have to turn the key—just to engage the electrical—and then wait for this humming to stop (have no idea what that is), and then I can start the engine. What’s up with that? Is this normal or am I sitting there like a tool, waiting for goodness-only-know what to happen?

Second, I see a book called Restoring Sprite/Midgets. Is it a good place to start? What other manuals would you recommend? Remember, you’re talking to a layman’s layman.

Finally, the first thing I want to do is get the breaks working. I’ll of course get the drum breaks functioning, but I’m curious if anyone has ever put disc brakes on a Mark II.

 

Thanks everyone!

Midget65

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of Spridgets. Grasshopper you have already shown wisdom by asking for guidance. If you are going to do your own maintenance then get a service manual, I like the Haynes book, but there are others. The humming noise is the electric fuel pump priming the carbs, it slows down and stops when the float bowls are full and there is some backpressure. In reality it runs all the time the car is running, you just can't hear it over the other engine noise. The original drum brakes are pretty good, but it's not uncommon to install the disc brakes from a later Midget in the front. That's a fairly simple bolt on, just get the parts from a later car and replace your uprights and hubs. You will find lots of people ready to help you both here in the Pub as well as on the other MG bulletin boards. As far as learing to work on your car, read, read, read. Almost everything you need to know has been covered at one time or another both in manuals or on the boards and you have a bit of catching up to do.

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'73 Midget (V6)
'59 MGA (I6) under construction
'73 Lotus Europa
'52 MG TD kit car body project.
'98 Jag XK8

"There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness"

Master Young's words are wise. He has travelled the path of the Midget and knows whereof he speaks. I can add only this: Get a factory reprint manual. It is the one true source. It has drawings of truth and great beauty. Its careful perusal will settle all disputes and questions within your restless mind. Heed these words. Cheers. 

 

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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

These gentleman know more than me by far, but I can tell you of my first 2 months as an MG owner.

 

1st - I was lucky to find a great mechanic that was able to do a pre-purchase inspection on the car so he made a punch list for me to follow.  He's doing the timing chain and valve job stuff as we speak.

2nd - find a local MG car club in the area.  They can be a wealth of information and the much more experienced are usually great about helping us rookies.

3rd - dig into these forums.  Just do a search for MG or Midget forums and find every little site out these with tech tips and such.

4th - accept the fact that you purchased a 42 year old car and plan your finances accordingly.  Even if you have to save up to get the right mechanical part or job done it is well worth it in the long run 

 

Hey Midget65

                 Congratulations and welcome aboard! I absolutley agree with all the above and I also recomend joining a British car club, these folks have a wealth of knowledge and most are eager to share and help a "newbie" out. Never be afraid to ask questions, don't be afraid to make mistakes..learn from them, and above all else have fun with this new endeavor . There is a ton of people who have the answers, and there is no such thing as a stupid question...so ask away......

                                      Cheers..Rita

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Alive to drive British

Thanks a ton, everyone! That little red beauty is sitting in my garage right now and it has already grown on me something ferocious. My first order of business is the get the carburetors a little more an synch and to get the breaks ship-shape. The previous owner told me that all the breaks really needed was a little gasket or something to fix the return, but she might as well have told me that the sun is happiest when it smells the color red singing. Does a gasket of tube fixing a return ring any bells? To get the breaks to work at all I need to pump them a bit to build up the pressure.

There are no gaskets in the brakes. And what's more, I don't think you can "fix the return".

If pumping the pedal brings it up to where you can apply the brakes, you need to try adjusting the rear brakes. The front brakes are disc type and adjust themselves. If you don't have a manual, you will really need one in order to take care of your new baby. Some folks like the Haynes manual. I prefer the factory reprint one from Robert Bentley. Either will be a good start. You may also need to find someone who has specific experience with these cars. Try to find a club in your area. Either an MG club or a British Car Club of some sort will provide you with references, I'm sure. You will meet some nice folks as well, who will be glad to help you familiarize yourself with the ways of MGness. But, get some reading material right away. The Moss catalog and others have a section full of books. They are the most valuable tool you can purchase. Go for it. And, congratulations. It's great to hear your enthusiasm.

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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

Yeah, I thought what they were saying sounded funky. I've rebuit a few Ford drum breaks before so I was a little confused at the idea of a "gasket". I have the Haynes manual now and so will make it my new bedside book. I'll also see if I can find a local club that can give me a little more insight. I'm looking at the manual reprints but I can't figure out which is the right one. The Moss Web site has a bunch, but they seem to be a T-series. Isn't that the 50's era cars? Which is the right one for my '65?