MG Midget...V8 in disguise… Super Sprite
Discussion
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!
Today I was able to spend two hours checking and tracing wires....and the engine fired up! This was with the "spare" Lumenition power module.
I then spent another two hours getting my SU fuel pumps to work and pump fuel, then another hour checking the four Weber carbs, and the engine ran again for short while.
I then spent another two hours getting my SU fuel pumps to work and pump fuel, then another hour checking the four Weber carbs, and the engine ran again for short while.
Needless to say it is a huge boost to get the engine running again after its long, 12 year, layoff. In fact it is even longer effectively, as I stopped running it regularly back in 1995 ish. I then used it briefly when we moved house in 2001, then for a couple of RWYB in 2011 and 2012. Then it was resprayed and de wired, but never restarted until now.
From running yesterday there are a couple of small fuel leaks to sort out, not surprising as seals and gaskets have dried out and shrunk.
There are the wires and connectors to the front lights to sort out as well.
I should also thank the folk on here who have provided support.
From running yesterday there are a couple of small fuel leaks to sort out, not surprising as seals and gaskets have dried out and shrunk.
There are the wires and connectors to the front lights to sort out as well.
I should also thank the folk on here who have provided support.
Thanks Steve, this is a very quiet section on PH and I wondered about putting this thread into the Readers Cars section, but then I thought I would stay in the quiet!
Fuel leaks sorted with a couple of old fuel pipes and a tee piece replaced. The engine now ticks over but I have not yet put the radiator back and or put coolant in, so that will be the next big test!
Fuel leaks sorted with a couple of old fuel pipes and a tee piece replaced. The engine now ticks over but I have not yet put the radiator back and or put coolant in, so that will be the next big test!
A good day! I got the engine started then decided to try my old Lumenition power module before I took it off. I wired it as per the working spare.....and it worked absolutely fine. So it was obviously me with my dewiring and rewiring making a mess.
Still the engine ticked over for a couple of mins and I found another couple of leaky petrol pipes - so they were replaced. Then I put the radiator back on and filled it with coolant, no leaks so I fired it up and still no leaks.
I then tried putting it in reverse but the clutch wasn't disengaging. I stopped the engine, put it into reverse and started it with the clutch down .... and it all freed off so I moved it backwards and then forwards - all good but the brakes are peculiar with the brake pedal staying down - I suspect it is a rusty pivot, so I can check that tomorrow.
I also welded up one of the hood brackets that had broken when I tried folding it and that joint had rusted solid, all good now.
Still the engine ticked over for a couple of mins and I found another couple of leaky petrol pipes - so they were replaced. Then I put the radiator back on and filled it with coolant, no leaks so I fired it up and still no leaks.
I then tried putting it in reverse but the clutch wasn't disengaging. I stopped the engine, put it into reverse and started it with the clutch down .... and it all freed off so I moved it backwards and then forwards - all good but the brakes are peculiar with the brake pedal staying down - I suspect it is a rusty pivot, so I can check that tomorrow.
I also welded up one of the hood brackets that had broken when I tried folding it and that joint had rusted solid, all good now.
It will be noticed that the hood is not attached to the windscreen frame. I had made two special clips for that job, as the standard fittings do not work with the front of the roll cage against the top of the windscreen.
Can I find those clips???
So that's another job to make two new ones - then I will find the originals!
Can I find those clips???
So that's another job to make two new ones - then I will find the originals!
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