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Mk2 Midget

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scott421

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Hi all , this is my first posting here . I am restoring a mk2 Midget for my wife just now and to be quite honest dont know a lot about it . She says she is quite happy with me keeping the stndard engine and gearbox - a 1098cc . I have never driven one but as I am more used to my TR6 PI with overdrive and my daily driver 4.0 XJS convertable am a bit concerned that it will be a bit slow for her (she drives a Volvo T5 ) . As we quite often drive over 100 miles to a show with our cars will she be able to keep up a constant 60 - 70 mph ? I realise she will not burn the road with her acceleration prowess but am just concerned re the cruising speed . I thought about an overdrive box but they seem to be only available for the 1275 of 1500 engine . The 1098 engine is fully rebuilt so am not too keen on just uprating it a few cc . Any suggestions ? Any good upgrades - we dont show the cars for prizes , they are rebuilt to have fun and long camping weekends .
cheers
Scott
 
Scott, first, welcome to the forum. There is a wealth of experience and knowledge here that hopefully you will find useful.
As to the 1098 , I have run mine all day cruising at 75 mph, and it purrs like the proverbial kitten.
You may want to check out the Spridget forum here. That's where us Sprite / Midget guys hang out.
Jeff
 
Welcome Scott!
I would think that about the best fix for your question would be to replace the 4.22 differential to a 3.9 (from the '69 thru about '74?? models) or a 3.7 from the '75 and up ones. The 1098 should easily handle the 3.9 and the 3.7 is not too much of a stretch.
Have fun with the toys
Bill
 
3.9 were used until '78. If the engine is not tired and worn, then a 3.9 might be an option. I do not think I'd try a 3.7.
 
Welcome Scott!

No overdrive boxes available for spridgets, except a Spitfire OD behind the 1500 and a modified tunnel and crossmember, or the Datsun 5 speed.

IMHO I would definately try the 3.7. If it turns out to be a little too much, then just change it again. The newly rebuilt engine means not going to a 1275. The 1098 has the longest stroke of all A series engines. That means excellent torque for a small-bore and not highest revs or the best top speed. I would think that especially for highway cruising a 3.7 should do well. City starts will be uncomfortable and no jack-rabbit starts. But then again doesn't Scotland have lots of hills? Maybe stick with the 3.9

Donn
 
I run my '65 with the 1098 and a 4.22 rear gear in the hills and mountains of northern California, and it works just fine. I don't understand all this concern regarding RPM. I've run mine all day at 4500 or better, and it hasn't missed a lick in 12 years.
And, Scott is in Scotland, where the roads and countryside are perfectly suited for the 4.22. After all, isn't that what the cars were designed for?
I could understand the need for a lower gear if he was driving across Montana, but not in Scotland.
Jeff
 
Thanks for the input guys . for some reason I couldnt find this thread after I replied yesterday . I shall start with the standard diff then and see how it goes . What mods are adviseable for these cars - eg I have changed the fuel pump, oil filter poly bushes and other small service bits on my TR6 to aid its ease of use . whats recommended ? As I said , I dont know a lot about these cars and as I bought it in boxes have never driven one either !
 
Jeff, he mentioned an overdrive box so we put him on to a diff change. The high rpm's are unnerving to people that are not used to them. I would also suggest switch to front disc brakes and adding a light anti-roll bar if there is not one currently fitted. Spin on oil filter is also nice.
 
I have to put my recommendation in for the spin on oil filter as well.

The RPM's on these cars are expected to run high (heck, they only have about 20hp until 2000RPM), so it's not going to be like your DD. I switched from a 4.22 to a 3.9 about a year ago to cut down on my highway rev's. Make sure that your tach is running accurate, I know this is a common problem with these cars. Mine, at 65 when I should be doing something in the 4000-5000 range (can't remember the exact number off the top of my head) shows well part red line, which I've concluded is incorrect.

The best solution to this problem is problem, depending on usage of course, is to use either a 4.22 or 3.9 (depending on low power needs) and install an overdrive. Is the bellhousing on the 1098 the same as the 1275? That would give you a couple different options to choose from for 5 speed transmissions. Of course, if you're good with CAD software and a milling machine, you can make any physically fit-able transmission match up with the output shaft. But I don't think many of us are :p.

Ben
 
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