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Just typed out a long update on my phone, then lost it so an abridged version….. Car is now back from paint and I’m happy. Not perfect, but wasn’t looking for perfection. I’m currently building the car back up. Rear now more or less completed. I was unsure if it would be better to reinstate the satin black along the bottom of the car, but in the end I left it all body colour. It’s got to be 15 years since I last fitted up a Midget door……..and it’s not got any better. Just now got to repeat it all on the os!
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Been a while (as usual), but just received a photo of the car looking all shiny. Best get the remaining parts ordered (that’s if I’ve got any money left when I find out how much it’s cost me - I honestly don’t know as we never discussed it 😂)
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Wouldn’t a knot wheel on a grinder help remove most of the stubborn paint prior to blasting?
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Funnily enough I was only looking at your YouTube videos the other night. Great work! Does the R25-28 box mount straight to the back of the 2.3 Saab Turbo engine or do you need an adaptor Yep, the r25-28 bolts straight on and just needs the slave cylinder spacing out slightly. They have the reputation as not being that strong though (I have a spare just in case 😂)
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Jul 31, 2021 15:18:42 GMT
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Not trying to make more work (OK a bit but, since you are at this point of deconstruction have you considered getting rid of the reverse lights? I find the rear looks so much smoother without and if you look under the bumper by the exhaust you see my reverse light that works every bit as well - generic motorcycle signal light with a clear bulb. It does look good, but the car is going bumperless so I just decided to leave things as they were on the car (the number plate will be mounted in between the reverse lights)
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Jul 31, 2021 15:12:06 GMT
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Good to see you back on this! My car activities have definitely taken a back seat.....but I still have my V8 Sprite hiding in the garage.... Hi Phil - Thanks, the mojo does ebbs and flow with this one. While I enjoy prepping and painting parts, bodywork is bloody hard to get right. I’m looking forward to it being painted so I can start getting it fitted back up.
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Jul 31, 2021 10:51:19 GMT
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Jul 23, 2021 10:03:26 GMT
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Oils leaks are what normally puts paid to the starter and/or alternator. Not the worst job to do, it’s just a pain having to remove parts for access.
I presume you know the header tanks and caps are prone to cracking and leaks respectively. Have a good check.
Lastly, as you have an uprated pulley it would probably be wise to put on a better intercooler to keep the charge temps down at reasonable levels.
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Jun 30, 2021 11:18:12 GMT
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Ah yes, the cost. From the outset it was going to be a budget build. I set myself a max budget of £3k including the car purchase (obviously things have now moved on a little price wise since I started).
I initially purchased a gearbox mounting plate and prop from frontline - just to ensure everything was roughly in the right place, then built the rest myself. Once you have hacked out the heater tray and crossmember there’s only one way forward. I bought an old scrap car for the engine and wiring loom and collected the rest of the parts over time.
I’ve never added up the cost, but unless you are very handy it does add up for what is only ever going to be a fun car.
There a bloke now selling most of the parts on eBay at a much reduced cost. There is also a Facebook group, it’s a bit cliquey but a good resource (so don’t get yourself banned!) 16v mini forum will also help with the wiring.
If there’s anything specific you want to see, let me know and I’ll probably have a picture!
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That steam looks a bit ominous in the second photo! It's a K-series, it's standard. Luckily just the exhaust wrap burning off. 😂 The wife got that fed up waiting she bought an SLK (r171). I have to say, other than looks which are always subjective, it does everything the Midget will - only better! I have another kit car project looming that I’m itching to get started on but really need to get this completed, then decide whether I keep it or sell on!
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Jun 29, 2021 12:29:37 GMT
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Mar 28, 2021 20:05:39 GMT
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Jim - If you have spark at roughly the right point and fuel, it should run.
Start with the basics. 1. Have you done a compression test 2. You have the leads on in 1-3-4-2, is this in the same direction of travel of the dizzy. 3. Is the dizzy definitely set roughly to tdc of number 1 cylinder and not 180 degrees out. 4. Is the coil live fed at both ignition live position as well as when turning over.
It will be something small and niggly - keep going.
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Jan 21, 2021 18:37:21 GMT
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You can get round the speed input issue like you say but I want to have all my dash information run through my ecu. All the values can be tweaked in the ecu then so speedo can be calibrated while mapping. Thank you for the offer. I shall keep you in mind if I hit a brick wall. Sounds like you have that well sorted. What’s engine clearance like and do you have idea’s in terms of what you are going to do for the sump?
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Liking this. I’m just gathering the bits together to put a b2*4 in a locost.
I had already bought a r25-28 omega box and prop when I fell on a complete rwd package so I do have a spare. I was going to hang onto it as they are getting quite rare now.
Drop me a message if you are struggling to find one, but it might be worth looking into a different box. The only problem with this is that all of the obvious ones e.g. Rx8 etc are huge in comparison, or have clearance issues for clutch cables etc..
In term of the speed sensor I’m sure you know but I believe the signal can be disabled to the ECU, but you will obviously lose the ability to limit boost in the lower gears.
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Oct 15, 2020 15:22:35 GMT
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Well done that man, great achievement. Got to say properly lol'd when you pulled the core plug out on the video
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Sept 17, 2020 17:33:29 GMT
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Shame to see you are moving this on Phil, but then again you do have another couple of little MG's to keep your hands dirty! Got to agree with you in terms of the SLK. I found a decent one for the wife and now can't get her out of it. Sort of makes me question if I'll use the Midget (if it ever get round to completing it )
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Sept 17, 2020 17:32:41 GMT
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Shame to see you are moving this on Phil, but then again you do have another couple of little MG's to keep your hands dirty! Got to agree with you in terms of the SLK. I found a decent one for the wife and now can't get her out of it. Sort of makes me question if I'll use the Midget (if it ever get round to completing it )
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Jul 22, 2020 10:37:35 GMT
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Looks in fantastic condition.
Amazing what's floating around your area that you've never seen (I'm literally 2 minutes away from there!)
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Jan 26, 2019 19:21:23 GMT
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Had a bit of a detour on our way back from Hartlepool and popped in for a cuppa. Got to say both the Wife and Mother were impressed with your tea and cakes!! Did a little work at Rushpool Hall many years ago so it was good to see some sights i’ve not seen for many years!!
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Sept 1, 2018 23:41:37 GMT
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Hi Jim
It was good to meet you and have a good natter while pulling the engine out.
As said, great job done to date and good luck with the months of sanding ahead - it will be worth it!
Just caught up with progress: - liking the dollies, they look perfect for the job. - wish I could say the same for the new rot found, but at least it’s now well on the way to being sorted.
Obviously your choice, but I’d be giving plenty of thought to cutting your dash to fit a din-e type unit (at least save what you cut out so you can put back in at a later date! 😂😂)
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