Will the 1500 & Trans work in a pre 1975 Midget?

[RocknTommy]

Newby here.
Looking at pre 1975 shells and wondered if my 1975
1500 engine and transmission will swap over without too many issues. What are the differences in the bodies besides the addition of the rubber bumper? Thanks!

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Different front crossmember... and a whole bunch of other stuff that makes it very aggravating to swap.

 

[Morris]

Most people go the other way... 1275 in a rubber bumper. You won't get any love for the 1500 from this crowd.

 

[Sopwith_Camel]

nope you might as well drop a Masda wangkle in at that point!
get a 1275 and 5 speed Gear box!
cheery
steve

 

[aeronca65t]

Re: Will the 1500 & Trans work in a pre 1975 Midget?

It's a fairly simple swap if you are willing to do a little fabrication/drilling in the crossmember area. Use the 1500 front mounts. The clutch hydraulic hose should fit.

I'll have a spare 1500 engine & trans (after I pull it from #11) and a '73 rolling chassis, so I will probably put the two together this summer.

Driveshaft and exhaust are different. You'll have to decide if you want to use the 1500 alternator or an older generator.

 

[RocknTommy]

Re: Will the 1500 & Trans work in a pre 1975 Midge

Thanks for the replies and info.
The shell I have needs tons of repair and the rust free or at least less rusty tubs are hard to find here in PA. And when I can locate a 1500 shell, I either get zero replies after asking questions or they are 3000 miles away without photos.
Mine is repairable but was looking to swap rather than spend
many hours and dollars on metal work. There is a 71 rust free tub in the classified so that why I asked.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

What about a 1500 spitfire? Your engine would fit right in there.

 

[Morris]

Re: Will the 1500 & Trans work in a pre 1975 Midge

What does the 71 tub need? It may be worthwhile to sell the 1500 and start over with the 71. Don't get me wrong, I love my 1500, but it is rust free. Knowing what I know now, I would not spend the kind of time required to repair a bunch of rust on a 1500 if an earlier car was available.


Okay, truth be known, I would not be spend the time to repair a bunch of rust in any car. That's not my kinda work.

 

[racingenglishcars]

Re: Will the 1500 & Trans work in a pre 1975 Midge

That's where the fun is. Fixing rust.

 

[RocknTommy]

Re: Will the 1500 & Trans work in a pre 1975 Midge

It's a fairly simple swap if you are willing to do a little fabrication/drilling in the crossmember area. Use the 1500 front mounts. The clutch hydraulic hose should fit.

I'll have a spare 1500 engine & trans (after I pull it from #11) and a '73 rolling chassis, so I will probably put the two together this summer.

Driveshaft and exhaust are different. You'll have to decide if you want to use the 1500 alternator or an older generator.

Am I correct in seeing that the suspension parts are all pretty much the same between the 1275 & the 1500?
I have a ton of new and good swapable parts I have collected over the years. Thanks for all the help.

 

[Morris]

Re: Will the 1500 & Trans work in a pre 1975 Midge

Suspension, brakes, and I believe rear-end all interchange quite easily. The 1500 has beefier springs to raise the height and account for the added weight of the battering rams and heavier engine/transmission.

 

[aeronca65t]

Re: Will the 1500 & Trans work in a pre 1975 Midge

Am I correct in seeing that the suspension parts are all pretty much the same between the 1275 & the 1500?
I have a ton of new and good swapable parts I have collected over the years. Thanks for all the help.

Yep. Suspension is all pretty much the same. My '78 chassis has a '66 rear and part of the front suspension is from a '67.
The steering rack on 1500 cars is different (slower ratio) but the two types will swap. Radiator is differnt too, but again, you can fit the old rad to a newer car or visa versa.