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Tips
Tips

introductions and tips for 1st time rebuilder

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SANdMAN_the

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hi everyone,

just thought i'd get around to putting up my introductory post. last aug i became the proud owner of a 1969 mg midget...and this winter i'm now the proud mechanic of the midget.

originally, i was looking for a restorable convertible and was on my way to getting a fiat spyder. but i found a coworker who wanted to sell their midget to someone who would treat it like a collector car instead of a beater.

anyways, i'm facing my first engine rebuild, which started out as a head gasket replacement, then moved to a valve job and now that i've noticed that the cylinders are nice and shiney, i might as well rebuild the whole darn thing.

what kind of suggestions do you have for the first time rebuilder and for someone looking for reliability rather than hot rodding their car?

thanks,
john
 
I just rebuilt my B engine. It was my first rebuild. There is a video out there by Dr Doolin. It's bascially a tear down and rebuild done in live time. It's very good, helped me a ton. It was for a MGB engine, but I bet a midget engine would be similar. The other thing I did, that really helped was to buy and engine rebuild kit from Brit tek. Bascially had everything needed for the job in a well thought out kit. Again, I'm not sure if they have a midget kit, but it's worth checking out. Good luck and have fun. There is nothing like starting and engine that you built yourself for the first time! Even better to drive behind it. I'll post a photo of mine right after the rebuild.
 

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John, if you'd like, I'll PM you a list of things to watch for, and the finer points of these little buggers. How much experience do you have?
What part of the Bay area are you in? I know a dynamite machine shop on the south side of Napa. Actually, almost in Vallejo.
Welcome to the forum. You should get all the help you need here.
Jeff
 
Thanks Jeff...maybe you should post the tips here for all the other aspiring engine rebuilders to see. And please, leave in all the common sense details, I'd rather be told something twice than miss out on any info.

Thanks again,
john

btw - Brit Tek said they'd look into throwing together a midget kit for me! woo-hoo!!
 
Bob at Brit Tek is a great guy. His best point is follow up after the sale.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks Jeff...maybe you should post the tips here for all the other aspiring engine rebuilders to see. And please, leave in all the common sense details, I'd rather be told something twice than miss out on any info.

Thanks again,
john

btw - Brit Tek said they'd look into throwing together a
midget kit for me! woo-hoo!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Boy i dont know....Maybe Jeff doesnt want to tell all his secrets to us...

i would sure like to here some of them

mark
 
Just give me a bit to formulate all of this stuff, and I'll get it posted. Of course, I won't give away all my secrets!
This will be just the basics of a good solid rebuild, not the performance end of it.
Jeff
 
I'm also new to the list and currently undertaking my first rebuild. Just wanted to thank you all for this post! It couldn't have come at a better time. An Jeff, please do post that list!
 
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