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New guy in Ks, 75 midget

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Alex_R

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Hi all.
Just thought i'd post up the typical "new guy" message.
I'm 23 y/o engineer, married with 2 kids and a dog. Originally born and raised in North Wales, now living in Kansas.

I recently purchased a '75 midget "special" (titled as a 76). I'm a big fan of autocrossing. I drove the car around for a few weeks (did about 2500 miles in the first two weeks), gave the car a good looking over, and headed off to the local scca events. On my 4th run, she threw a rod through the block.
Started looking around for options, and web forums to help me with the rebuild/modifications that will ensue, and ended up here.

I'm currently in the process of trying to take off the fenders, and can't quite find all the blots. d'oh /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blush.gif
 
Croeso Alex!
Where in North Wales? Spent 25 years in Llwyngwril, just south of Dolgellau.
Lots of great 1500 knowledge here, they'll get you back on the road/track!

Cymru am Byth
 
Welcome Alex!

'nuther engineer here (and born in the UK too.....but many, many moons ago!)

When I bought my 1500 Midget 10 years ago, it came with only three rods in the engine. One had *escaped* /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif

I found a 1500 Spit engine, rebuilt it and put it in, but after a few years of racing, it spun a rod bearing. After a 2nd full rebuild, I am presently replacing rod bearings and thrust washers every 25 hours or so....and each time there is noticable wear on the old bearings.

I have just pulled a 1275 engine out of my semi-ratty '73 Midget and that will be rebuilt and go in the racer this Summer (thus making my car properly-legal for vintage racing). The 1275 is really the best engine for these cars.
The 1500 runs fine, so it'll go in the '73 street car (weird, I know). If I were to stay with the Triumph-based engine, I'd switch to an older 1300 Spit engine.....shorter stroke and much stronger bottom end.

G'luck with your's!
 
Thanks for the welcome guys.

Baz-
I was born in St. Asaph, and lived around flint/penrhyn bay/llandudno. My grandparents live on Anglesey, so I spent a fair ammount of time in Llanfair P.G as well.

Aeronca-
I'm having a heck of a time finding another 1500 block which is unfortunate. The current 1500 has a performance cam, webber setup, and a nice looking header. I had thought about the 1275 route, but i'm not sure I can stay in the class I want to for solo, since i'd have to modify the motor mounts somewhat extesively. Also having a bit of a time finding a decent 1275 and ribcase tranny to swap in.

I've been looking at putting a 12a rotary in. A guy down the street has a whole 1stgen rx7 he'd let go for cheap. And that'd bump me to the same class (mod...eugh) as the 1275, with much more potential (maybe unneeded).
I hate to do something so sacrilegious, but i'm sort of running out of options. However it seems most online communities shun out of marque engine swaps?
 
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