Need some advice on bugeye conversion

[ichthos]

I did a total restoration on a bugeye (as original as possible)for my wife. She doesn't let me drive it all that much, but on the few times I have driven it, I have to say I actually enjoy driving it better than my TR6. I was thinking of restoring a second basket case bugeye I have, but this time putting in a 1275 engine, ribcase transmission, and disc brakes. I am going to totally dismantle the body and make repairs there first. I have a few questions I am hoping to get your help on:

1) Are there any sheet metal modifications that will be needed for my plans?
2) What year/model car what I need to get donor parts from?
3) I was told by a local British mechanic to look out for a 73 or 74 Sprite, but can I get the same parts from a Midget, and if so, what years?

Any opinion/thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Kevin

 

[Gerard]

Kevin,

Sprite or Midget, no difference for your purposes. Any disc brake car will do; cars up to '66 have the correct DB MC to use in a Bugeye. See my web page for details on DB conversion issues. Years '67 to '74 for the 1275. Earlier engine serial numbers are a bit better, but you want the 12CD or later ('68). Entire range of DB cars, up to '74, will have a ribcase gearbox.

https://gerardsgarage.com/Garage/Tech/DbrakeUg.htm

 

[drooartz]

I picked up a '74 Midget parts car when I converted my old Bugeye to disc brakes and a 1275. That one car gave me all the bits I needed. Got quite a few things off that car, then was able to sell the Midget body on to someone else who needed one.

Article on stripping the parts car down:
https://www.drooartz.com/index.php?page=36

I used the Bugeye brake master cylinder and had it resleeved through Gerard's service.

 

[taskadog]

It will be hard to find a '73 or '74 Sprite, since they ended production in '71. The 1275 came out in '67, so any car after then will have what your looking for.
As to '67 to '71, Sprites and Midgets where indistinguishable from each other except for badges.
Good luck, Phil

 

[ichthos]

I must have misunderstood the mechanic. I am not ignoring any of your advice, but if I want the rib case transmission from a 73 or 74, a 1275 engine, and disc brakes from one car, that one car would have to be a 73 or 74 midget, correct? I know it will take me a few years to complete the body restoration on the bugeye I have, so it will give me time to look for the correct donor car.
Kevin

 

[Gerard]

No, not correct.

Anything after '67 up thru '74. "67's have the thin flange block is why I recommended '68 (12CD engine number) or later.

 

[ichthos]

Can you explain to me what a thin flange block is and why it is important? I really don't understand what is special about the 73/74 transmission that was recommended to me, Gerard. I think it had something to do with better synchros, wear, and availability of parts.
Kevin

 

[mightymidget]

with your conversion remember to grab the differential for better gearing. just in case you are wanting a wire wheel car, find an early 1/4 spring car with disc brakes. the earlier rear ends were different and axles fit proper.
you just switch out complete rear ends. you will find most earlier cars are rust outs and be purchased reasonably.

you will still need another doner car for drive line and rear end gear.

 

[Gerard]

Can you explain to me what a thin flange block is and why it is important? I really don't understand what is special about the 73/74 transmission that was recommended to me, Gerard. I think it had something to do with better synchros, wear, and availability of parts.
Kevin

Kevin, observe the sump flange in the following photos. The thin Flange is a 12CC series 1275, the thick flange is a 12CD. This design change is constant on subsequent iterations. It was done to stiffen the block.

As far as the gearbox, the production change occurred within the 10CC (large main 1098) Spridgets and continued through the 1275 series. Other than the addition of a different shifters and a reverse switch, I don't think there area any other internal changes. Even though some parts numbers changed for some of the gearsets, the gears are interchangeable... i.e. 22G232/22G1100 (laygear)