MG Midget...V8 in disguise… Super Sprite
Discussion
Needless to say there were problems! The two main ones being trying to find my clutch alignment tool - well actually a first motion shaft from an old gearbox. I could only find the one for my original Sprite despite hours of searching, so I used that and more by luck got it close enough so that I was actually able to slide the gearbox back on and bolt it up.
Then I checked out the clutch slave cylinder and got it working.
I was then able to get the engine and box back in....but the gear box mounting block got caught and I had to juggle my trolley jack under the car to get it cleared.
Next job is to get the exhaust manifolds back on, the tubular race manifolds had some cracked joints so it is good to get them off. The various pipes and the alternator need refitting and finally the electrics sorted.
Then I checked out the clutch slave cylinder and got it working.
I was then able to get the engine and box back in....but the gear box mounting block got caught and I had to juggle my trolley jack under the car to get it cleared.
Next job is to get the exhaust manifolds back on, the tubular race manifolds had some cracked joints so it is good to get them off. The various pipes and the alternator need refitting and finally the electrics sorted.
Exhaust manifolds fitted, starter motor wired up, hood put into position. Steering column refitted. Alternator fitted and main water pipes to rad fitted. Doesn't sound much but it took 8 hours with the main battery cable trapped by the bell housing, the engine mount needing to be removed to access the starter solenoid for the wires, the fuel supply needing to be threaded up round the clutch housing, plus the general faff of misplacing tools and sockets!
I realise that I have not explained why there has been a sudden burst of activity when the Kelmarsh show isn't until August....
I saw that there was a classic car display in Market Harborough so I put an entry in for that, which was accepted last week - and it is on Sunday 7th of July.
As I want to try and get it driving there I checked out Classic Line for insurance cover . After going On-line yesterday, the computer said that I needed to speak directly to them. A very helpful gentleman rang me as a result of my on - line query and we sorted out a years cover with breakdown and unlimited mileage for a very reasonable sum which I paid and so can drive the Sprite - when I get it finished!
I saw that there was a classic car display in Market Harborough so I put an entry in for that, which was accepted last week - and it is on Sunday 7th of July.
As I want to try and get it driving there I checked out Classic Line for insurance cover . After going On-line yesterday, the computer said that I needed to speak directly to them. A very helpful gentleman rang me as a result of my on - line query and we sorted out a years cover with breakdown and unlimited mileage for a very reasonable sum which I paid and so can drive the Sprite - when I get it finished!
Yesterday saw the grass cut....then the cast iron P6 exhaust manifolds were fitted, the steering column returned to its proper place and finally the falcon alloy front wheels fitted - typically I could only find 7 wheelnuts.
I then tried to unsorn the car on -line. But I couldn't find the latest V5C and it would have had my old address.... So I then spent 58 mins listening to the DVLA music....Finally a kind person told me that I could sort it out with a V62 at the post office. So i hurtled off to our local PO, got the form and filled it in. The assistant put it all onto the system - and got a print out saying "Reject" and the "Post Office is unable to complete this application - contact the DVLA".....So I returned home, listened to some more music and gave up after 45 mins......grrrr.
I then tried to unsorn the car on -line. But I couldn't find the latest V5C and it would have had my old address.... So I then spent 58 mins listening to the DVLA music....Finally a kind person told me that I could sort it out with a V62 at the post office. So i hurtled off to our local PO, got the form and filled it in. The assistant put it all onto the system - and got a print out saying "Reject" and the "Post Office is unable to complete this application - contact the DVLA".....So I returned home, listened to some more music and gave up after 45 mins......grrrr.
Today was better as another call to the DVLA only took 22mins before I was advised to take my form back to a Post Office but explain that it was now a Historic rather than Private vehicle. This I did to a different PO and, with a payment of £25, for a change to the V5C, the Sprite can go back on the road.
I then checked the rear brakes and swapped the rear wheels (- and found some more wheelnuts!). I also tried my spare battery but it gave a big spark on touching the live terminal so I need to ensure there is no short circuit somewhere.
Some of these problems have been caused by my previous work on preparing the car for the NEC show in 2012 when I had it resprayed and tidied up the engine bay. It all was very rushed and last minute, so jobs had not been finished or checked just to get it to the show on a trailer.
I then checked the rear brakes and swapped the rear wheels (- and found some more wheelnuts!). I also tried my spare battery but it gave a big spark on touching the live terminal so I need to ensure there is no short circuit somewhere.
Some of these problems have been caused by my previous work on preparing the car for the NEC show in 2012 when I had it resprayed and tidied up the engine bay. It all was very rushed and last minute, so jobs had not been finished or checked just to get it to the show on a trailer.
Grovelling under the car to sort out the exhaust pipes and silencers has done me no good as I have now twisted my Knee....and it hurts! :-[ I will probably have to tow the car into MH centre on Sunday as I cannot move easily to check and fix the electrics.
But do I put the ram pipes back on with the big bulge bonnet for the display?? And are there more than two people reading this??
But do I put the ram pipes back on with the big bulge bonnet for the display?? And are there more than two people reading this??
Thanks Arnold and Dirtbiker
Well the knee has stopped all work on getting the car started- so a tow it would be....but our tow car went for an MoT and service on Thursday...it needs new bits, which were ordered and arrived on Friday ....but were wrong size, the correct ones arrived Friday PM but the car is still in bits.....so no tow possible Grrrrrrr
Well the knee has stopped all work on getting the car started- so a tow it would be....but our tow car went for an MoT and service on Thursday...it needs new bits, which were ordered and arrived on Friday ....but were wrong size, the correct ones arrived Friday PM but the car is still in bits.....so no tow possible Grrrrrrr
Inspired by electrical issues I checked the V8 Sprite and yes I was trying to put the battery on the wrong way round...In mitigation my old original Sprite is +ve earth (It has a dynamo). The V8 Sprite has the later -ve earth system. I had that painted as a reminder in the boot.....But I had resprayed over that when I tidied the boot area for the NEC show....and I had brain fade this time round! Hopefully I have not damaged anything (Diodes?) in the alternator.
My knee is getting slowly better but I am being very careful so have kept away from the Sprite until now, when I could not resist the temptation and so I jury rigged a connection to the starter solenoid.....
and it worked!..
and the starter turned the engine over for a few turns!!
Next to get the fuel pumps to work, the ignition to connect ..... and try again, in a couple of days time.
and it worked!..
and the starter turned the engine over for a few turns!!
Next to get the fuel pumps to work, the ignition to connect ..... and try again, in a couple of days time.
My knee is just about OK so I ventured back under the Sprite and got the exhaust system back in place....given that it is only two pipes and two silencers it is amazing how long it takes when you cannot easily see what you are doing! Still all good now. Then I tightened up the steering column and plugged in the four wires to the ignition switch, connected the battery and turned the key...Nothing. Out with the tester and no wires are live. Opened up the panel to access the fuses...nothing live there either. Then I tried the big red wire that was floating around the engine...Live! I looked again at the big Brown wire to the fuses....when I pulled it it was only 15cm long and cut off. Evidently the big red wire had been connected to the big brown wire....but now wasn't. No problem I can feed the big red wire alongside the oil pressure pipe and starter solenoid connection and other wires back into the car via the new hole at the top of the footwell. Except the exhaust manifold and steering column and engine mount and alternator are all in the way. Also there is actually a double bulkhead and the two holes do not line up. So I could not poke the big red wire through. I took the alternator off and still could not get the wire through!
But I could attach it to the oil pressure pipe and pull them both through, however, after two attempts I needed to disconnect the pipe from the gauge to get enough slack in the pipe. Finally it was through......
But I could attach it to the oil pressure pipe and pull them both through, however, after two attempts I needed to disconnect the pipe from the gauge to get enough slack in the pipe. Finally it was through......
Edited by Flying Phil on Wednesday 17th July 21:21
Typically when I came to wire up the ignition switch I had a rough diagram showing the wire layout to the four terminals - but I could not identify the actual terminals due to them being facing backwards under the dashboard alongside the steering column. I tried to get a close up photograph - not clear enough, I tried what I thought was correct but it didn't work...so I had to undo all the bolts and get the column out again to actually see the terminal identification numbers! Then put it all back and connect the wires, checking at the fuse box as I went.
Then I discovered no sparks.
Then I discovered no sparks.
I'm going round in circles at present....I had disconnected my wiring loom back in 2012 and re routed it. Unfortunately there were odd coloured wires joined to make it all work. Now I am having to go back to basics to try and get it to work again and I'm not sure if the coil, power module or optical trigger are still working.....and I don't like electrics!
Argh, don't envy that.
I once had the task of trying to resurrect the wipers on a 1966 bristol 409.
No wiring diagram. No standard location for inline fuses.
All (fabric covered) wires black, because it was 50 years old.
Twin 6v system which was my first foray into anything other than 12v.
In the end, i got both speeds working but buggered if i could fathom self park. Only took me 2 days of general disgruntlement and swearing! Good luck with your multimeter lottery
I once had the task of trying to resurrect the wipers on a 1966 bristol 409.
No wiring diagram. No standard location for inline fuses.
All (fabric covered) wires black, because it was 50 years old.
Twin 6v system which was my first foray into anything other than 12v.
In the end, i got both speeds working but buggered if i could fathom self park. Only took me 2 days of general disgruntlement and swearing! Good luck with your multimeter lottery
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