60 Bugeye vs 71 Midget

[erstearns]

Found a very reasonable 71 Midget parts car. Does anyone know what parts will be interchangeable with my 60 Bugeye? I am mostly interested in the running gear and drive train.

Thanks, Eric

 

[Bugeye58]

Eric, The 1275 and ribcase trans in the '71 will drop right in the Bugeye, as will the driveshaft. You'll have to change over to the 1275 exhaust, of course. The thermostat housing will have to be changed if you are still running the downflow radiator in the Sprite, as the Midget has a crossflow radiator in it. The differential will swap, but only the center section, not the housing. If I remember, the '71 should be a 3.9:1, rather than the stock 4.22 in the Sprite. This'll give you a bit less rpm at cruising speeds. The front shocks will be the same. If you have changed the Sprite over to disc brakes, the front spindles and brakes will work. If you haven't already done the disc brake swap, here would be a good opportunity, but if you do, you'll have to find a 3/4" bore master cylinder from a '63 to '69, if you want it to look like the stock Bugeye setup. The '71 pedal setup can be installed, but you have to do some trimming of the sheetmetal to allow it to fit. This also gives you the benefit of the later dual circuit brake system. If you're running the 948 clutch setup, you'll have to use the Bugeye clutch slave cylinder with the ribcase.
Steering racks will swap, but there's no need to.
If the '71 still has the alternator on it, you can install that as well, with some minor wiring changes.
Hope this helps.
Jeff

 

[erstearns]

Jeff, thanks for the response. The bugeye is dismantled for restoration, I can do whatever makes sense. I thought that it would be appropriate to upgrade to larger engine, newer model trans, disc brakes etc. Probably a lot more work in the long run but worth it. Will the complete rear bolt up without alteration, axles, housing etc? I know that wires were not a stock item for the bugeye but the 71 midget has them. I saw a 69 bugeye in old english white with shiny wires and I thought that I might go in that direction. The bugeye needs a new left inner wheel arch assembly and I can buy the midget for about twice what that part costs, if I could find one (I know I will have to modify the outer panel to get rid of the lip). Even if I find few parts useable it is probably worth the price.

Thanks for the help.
Eric

 

[Bugeye58]

Eric, unfortunately, the rear axle housings are different between the two, as the rear suspension is different. The Bugeye has 1/4 elliptic rear springs that go from the housing forward, and the Midget has semi elliptics. These go all the way under the axle, like a conventional leaf spring setup. The mounting points, both on the body, and on the axle housing are configured differently.
Personally, I like the 1/4 elliptic setup better.
If the Midget has the add on type wire wheels, that use an adapter bolted to the brake drum, you can swap them over. If it has the original type, using axles splined at both ends, they won't fit, as the rear housing lengths are different. Hopefully it has the bolt on style, as the wires do look nice, and with the round wheel arch on the Bugeye, clearance isn't that big of an issue, as it is on the later square arch cars.
Which end needs the wheel arch repair panel? if it's the front, you can use the one from the Midget. I had to replace the right front on the Bugeye that I race(d, and I used one from a '74.
If it's the rear, they run about a hundred bucks or so, and are readily available, but a pain to change.
Do you still have the original 948?
The 1275 and the ribcase make a nice swap, as they are not only a drop in installation, but do pep things up considerably. And, should you want, performance stuff for the 1275 is easier to get, and cheaper than 948 stuff. You can definitely trust me on this one, as I am currently racing a 948. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
The gear ratios are better in the ribcase, and the synchros that are used are replaceable, and heavier duty. Of course, if you really want a nice package, do the 5 speed conversion using a Datsun B210 tranny.
I've got four Bugeyes that are waiting their turn for restoration, but they are way down on the "things to do" list right now.
Have fun, and feel free to ask anything at all.
Jeff