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Quote from Ebay advert

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the car photographs well, even tho person taking photos was not carefully framing car for sale.

I like the midget. the only thing that raised one hair on my eye brow was the worn carpet at a acceleration pedal with 29k. of course mileage is not here or there. again I like the car and is in better shape than one I am watching now
 
My post may have not been clear. I wasn't looking for comments about the car. I was wondering what people thought of his assertion that the 1500 Triumph engine was more powerful and easier to maintain.
 
I don't have any personal experience with the 1500 but what I read here at the BCF leads me to believe it is not easier to maintain and probably not more powerful. Anyway, I am happy my Sprite has a 1275. But, our friends with 1500s seem to be just as happy too.
 
:devilgrin: "My 1500" is... :devilgrin:

(oh yeah, it's not a Triumph engine though - it's a Japanese A series 1500 with a HP head from a 1400 with a set of HIF4 carbs - so I'm cheating a little bit)
 
Trevor Jessie said:
My post may have not been clear. I wasn't looking for comments about the car. I was wondering what people thought of his assertion that the 1500 Triumph engine was more powerful and easier to maintain.
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more.
grin.gif
You just can't go wrong with that 1500 Big Block. OK, seriously, I suppose the three advantages are:


<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Unleaded Head [*]Indestructable electronic ignition [*]Detuned so no fear of speeding tickets :wink: [/list]
 
Which also brings me to this description:

Midget for sale

check the 4th picture
 
"Engine parts are missing."

Looks like the complete top end is missing along with the heater.

I see the starter (I believe) up where the battery goes (also missing).

Bonnet is not bolted to the car. You can see the hinges where it bolts to the bonnet.

I don't see the alternator or the smog pump (although the smog pump could be an early deletion by the PO). Just noticed it was a Canadian MG. Did Canadian MGs have the US smog pumps???
 
PHerder said:
Just noticed it was a Canadian MG. Did Canadian MGs have the US smog pumps???
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All North American cars had the smog pumps - though Canadian MGs would have had Canadian smog pumps. :jester: Well actually British.
grin.gif
 
Trevor Jessie said:
"Remember this is one of the years Triumph made the engine so it's more powerful and easier to maintain."


Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Honestly, I think it's about a wash. Especially in a street car.

I raced a 1500 for years and it was fine as long as RPMs weren't too high (6000 max....this was a mostly stock, unbalanced engine).
I switched to a 1275 two years ago. It's in a similar state of tune. The shorter stroke and more compact engine bodes well for longevity in the bottom end, which is the weak point in the 1500.

I'd say the 1275 has slightly less torque and clearly seems to spin up nicer. 6500 RPM seems easy.
In a strictly theoretical sense, the 1500 can make more power due to bigger displacement and much better porting.

The all-syncro 1500 "Marina" trans is fine, but I actually prefer the "ribcage" trans on the 1275 due to the excellent shift linkage.
 
Depends on what you're comparing the 1500 to for easier to maintain.
The description wasn't exactly clear in the ad.
 
mightymidget said:
JPSmit said:
Which also brings me to this description:

Midget for sale

check the 4th picture [/quote

yea it is missing something, let me see..
.ooh the heater hose
Click to expand...

Middle of the night, someone comes in, undoes the bonnet support, pulls the bonnet back, steals the water pump, head, manifolds, carbs, battery, pulls the starter and leaves it laying, wonder what else is missing....
Click to expand...
 
Yeah, what's not to love about an engine that'll drop it's thrust washers... even when they don't, you don't need a feeler gauge to check end play on the crank, just have someone push in the clutch and watch the fun. In my mind, no comparison for something "out of the box". The carb and distributor are a joy as well. Oh, and then there is the inherent fire hazard by the way the fuel line is plumbed.
 
I love mine. It shoulda puked it's guts out all over the place but still runs fine.

I wouldn't pull one to swap in the other in either case. Run whatcha brung and everything will be fine.
 
Well...the 1500 has a little more low end grunt, at the expense of freeflowing revs at the top end. And it's easier to check the timing. And doesn't leak quite as much. Other than that....
 
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