MG Midget serial numbers

[Gunner]

Have my new 1967 Midget home.. cranked her up for the first time... runs great.. it has been sitting in a garage for six months. Now... the serial number is in the forward driver's door jam on the hinge a-frame, not under the hood. Serial # GBE 058759. Anyone familiar with this? Also, the engine has a six blade radiator fan, and holes in the head on the spark plug side that are pluged with large threaded bolt plugs. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif Any guesses would be appreciated.

 

[Steve]

Congratulations! I would suggest that the head might be off a later car, as the holes that are blanked off may have been for the air feeds for an air pump.

 

[Gunner]

I thought about that, too.. possibly some air smog pump holes, etc
just seems like the original engine.. I'll look into it....

Thanks

 

[Biff]

Gunner,

"GBE 058759" is the cars BODY number not the VIN number. Your VIN number should be on a small black & metal plate mounted directly below the carbs on a narrow flat (chasis rail). A 1967 Midget would have a number like "GAN4U 52390" (first '67 Midget) to "GAN4U 60870" (last '67 Midget). The plugs in the head are indeed for a head that had air injection to 'help' it pass USA emmisons probably off a later car. If your engine is original it's serial number should begin with "12CC-xxxxxx". If it begins with "12CD" then it is an emmisions engine from the factory. This number is stamped near the base of the head at the front on a small flat that sticks out near the hose oulet.

 

[Gunner]

Thanks
My Vin plate is missing on this car... is it stamped anywhere else on the car or frame? The title has that GBE number on it. My engine number is indeed 12cd-da-h-15609. Thanks!

 

[Biff]

Sid,

Look behind the right front shock. Your VIN number less the GAN4U should be stamped in the shock mount plate. You will probably have to remove some crud and paint but it should be there. Another place to look would be the backside of the dash. At the factory the digits of the Vin number were written on them in crayon/grease pencil. Another place to look would be on the passenger side footwell floor just in front of the cross rail going to the jack opening.

 

[Gunner]

Thanks, Biff
It's gonna be a long journey.. but this car is worth it.. it's well preserved in the places that matter.. almost no rust except a few small places on the lower rear fenders, and that isn't bad, either. Frame rails etc are excellent.
I have clutch problems, but I'll look into the slave cylinder. If I have to pull the engine to change the clutch, what should I do while I'm in there?
Thanks

Gunner

 

[Gunner]

I found it!
Stamped on the rear edge of my right front shock mount. I feel like I have brought her all the way home now, and she has a name. GAN4 59259. Doesn't seem to be a "U" in there anywhere. I think maybe the GAN4U were 1968 models. Anyway, she's legal now. She has a number.

Thanks for all the help. I'll need plenty more. Next step: find out why my alternator isn't working... puts out 12.5 volts.

Sid

 

[Bugeye58]

Gunner, that makes it a late '67. The last number for '67 was GAN4 60459. Probably built in July or August.
Jeff