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71 Midget Restoration with Pictures

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J

JimSnack

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Hi,

For anyone interested, my friend and I just started a rolling restoration of a 1971 MG Midget for a friend who lives in Washington DC. I'm tracking our progress on my website - the link is below.

The car was given to her by her father 24 years ago, shortly before he died, and was stored in a garage in Amsterdam NY for many years. Someone told her about the two Triumph Spitfire's that my friend Rich and I restored, and recommended us to help her get it in shape. I don't know if that's good or bad, but we agreed to help out and just started work on the car.

This is a cool little car in pretty good shape and should be a fun project. Our budget is tight, so we will be looking to save money whenever possible. I'm sure we will be asking lots of questions here, as our experience is with Triumph Spitfires.

You can follow along at:

https://www.jimsnack.com/car_projects.htm

Enjoy!

Jim
 
I had the opportunity to meet Jim and his Spit this fall and if he does half the job on that Midget as he has done on his Spit I'm sure the gal will be totally satisfied. Bob
 
Thanks Bob. My Healey project is on hold until I finish paying my daughter's tuition, so the Midget moves to the front burner. This is another learning process. I have a long way to go before I reach your level however!
 
That's nice work, Jim. Welcome to the fray here!

Restoring these cars that hold sentimental value is a very high purpose, very meaningful. I wish you the best in your efforts.

Cheers :thumbsup:
 
Looks like you are off to a good start. I bought my first Midget because my Dad had one he was restoring when he passed away. We couldn't keep it then so I got one 18 years later. If it helps I put the service manual online:
https://spridget-tech.com/page3.html
 
Chris,

Thanks for the link to the service manual. That will be a big help!

The lower radiator pipe can be seen in the Moss diagram - part # 434-520 - at:

https://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=29279#40

Now, here's my first question....do you have to remove the distributor to change the points? It comes out of the side of the engine and looks really hard to get to in order to install and adjust points. Plus, the car has an oil cooler with lines that pass right over the distributor, making access even more difficult! Somebody please enlighten me.

jim
 
HAN8L1965 said:
What is a lower radiator cross pipe? my 65 does not have such a thing.

Mark
Click to expand...

Your 65 has a vertical flow rad so it doesn't have a lower rad cross pipe, only used on cross flow rads set ups I believe.
 
It isn't required to remove the dist to change the points but it is a good idea.
I have dropped the screw into the dist body several times in my life and it is really irritating when it happens. Pulling it means that you can just dump the screw out when you drop it in.
BillM
 
I dropped the screw into the distributor body once on Plymouth Valiant. It did dump right out after removing the distributor, but then I put the distributor back in 180 degrees off. That took a long time to figure out!

We made a fair amount of progress today on the clutch system. Rear brakes surprisingly look pretty good.

Jim

________________________
1974 Spitfire 1FM13396IU - done (if any one is ever done!)
1971 MG Midget current project
1960 AH 3000 - a project waiting until my daughter finishes college!
 
Billm said:
It isn't required to remove the dist to change the points but it is a good idea.
I have dropped the screw into the dist body several times in my life and it is really irritating when it happens. Pulling it means that you can just dump the screw out when you drop it in.
BillM
Click to expand...

That's what long skinny magnets are for.
 
JimSnack said:
I dropped the screw into the distributor body once on Plymouth Valiant. It did dump right out after removing the distributor, but then I put the distributor back in 180 degrees off.
Click to expand...

The nice thing is that the distributor will only go in one way on the A series. The slot in the drive gear is slightly off center to prevent installation 180 out.
 
Chris, that's good!

We made good progress on the car this week. Today I discovered that rebuilding the dual master brake cylinder not as easy as on the Spitfire. It's tough getting apart. I'll try again tomorrow, after reading everything I can find.

Jim
 
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