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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Good name in UK to rebuild 1275?

Hi all,
Time for a rebuild I think,and a proposed orthopedic operation precludes doing it myself(the engine that is!)am planning a UK trip during the winter and would like to drop it off with a specialist.Obviously from this forum I am aware of Peter May & Peter Burgess,but would welcome other suggestions.
Also,has anyone had experience of rebuilt ribcase gearboxes from MGB Hive?
Cheers Alistair.
A.G Peters

What might be a good question to ask is what do you want from your rebuild?
STD or fast your engine rebuild or an exchange unit (easy since you only have to visit once)

If you just want a rebuild std one you might want to check the MGOC recon engine's as they are verry competativly priced.
And their std B engine's are fine (no experiences with the A-series).

Skiptune also has verry competativly priced engine's
And i have not heard bad things about them.

Of course PM and PB are experts and should always be considered.

Ask your self what you want check the suplyers and what they deliver.
A reconditioned engine does not mean the same to every one and some may seem more expensive but may include more in the price.
Onno Könemann

I believe that MGOC have their engines rebuilt by Ivor Searle...

http://www.ivorsearle.co.uk/public/index.asp?cbofile=11&ht=14&sh=33&cp=16
Dave O'Neill 2

Peter May did the block/head skimming, lead-freeing and the re-bore etc etc for me. No problems. He's a real gent too.
David Cox

thanks for comments so far,Onno,engine is at present fast road and require same again.Engine is as purchased in Frog 3 year's ago and after about 25 regularity rallies here in France is a bit tired.From docs. with car it has a P.Burgess fast road head fitted in 1999, 9.7 CR,lightened flywheel,Kent286 cam.,LCB,2xHS4 on steel inlet,H&H elec.ignition to suit above spec.and goes well but is starting to piss oil.Dry comp.TWOpen is140-135-140-140,hot.Unfortunately fitted to smoothcase gearbox with nice P.May clutch.(don't want 5 speed!)
Cheers Alistair
A.G Peters

As it's non-standard, I would be tempted to take it to one of the afore-mentioned specialists.
Dave O'Neill 2

Indeed take it to PM or PB
And with the rebuild have that CR increased that will make the engine a lot nicer in the lower rpm range.
10.5 should not be anny problem.

I agree with you completely on the gearbox!
Get a nice ribcase and you will be fine no need for that 5 speed nonsens ;)
Onno Könemann

Two Kent based A series specialists to think about: -

Bill Richards Racing based in Ashford - 01233 624336

Swiftune based in Bethersden - 01233 850843

Bill Richards takes a more holistic approach than Nicky Swift in that he likes to have the car and install the engine himself to iron out any installation and tuning issues. Bill is however slightly eccentric and not to everyones taste (although I think very highly of him).

Nicky takes slightly more of a 'professional' approach which you may prefer if you are more concerned about delivery times than overall price. His engines are highly rated. I am happy to recommend either

JB
James Bilsland

Had my 1275 engine and gearbox rebuild earlier this year by Peter May first class - runs sweet as a nut - not the cheapest but the best never are - highly recommended
P Willoughby

Alistar, you dont have to cross the channel for a good engine rebuild.
In Holland you have the Classic Car Clinic in Nijmegen who rebuild Aseries engine to what ever specification you want.
Koen, the owner is very good as he does many of the race engines in the FISC A-series race competition.

www.classiccarclinic.nl (i think it is)


Advantages:
- no expensive ferry crossing.
- you can pay in Eoro's.
Last but not least:

It will be ready on the set time, in contrary to most of the brit-car-related companies who have no clue what a promise/deal is or waranty for that mather, "could be ready in next month or next summer, we will see..."

Disadvantages on going to holland:
- you mis out on a great trip to go over to the UK.
- not just missing one trip to the UK, missing several as you have to go back several times before they do it right. :)

I have no experience with the names mentioned above so I cant say my assumptions count for them too.
:)
Arie de Best

Thanks for advice everybody, and Arie,as you can tell by my name I am a Scot by origine and we normally return once a year for Hogmonay in the village of origine.
As we take the ferry from Roscoff to Plymouth and go up the M5 Peter May will be ideal for what I need.Return of engine by carrier about £85-£100.
Alistair.
A.G Peters

Hi Arie

I hope you aren't lumping us all in with this as 'most' of has to be at leadst 51% or is that nearly all?
"
It will be ready on the set time, in contrary to most of the brit-car-related companies who have no clue what a promise/deal is or waranty for that mather, "could be ready in next month or next summer, we will see...""

Say Hi to Koen from us next time you see him.

Peter

P Burgess

Hi Peter,
Ofcourse I dont mean you or others Ive not done buisnes with hence why I wrote:
"I have no experience with the names mentioned above so I cant say my assumptions count for them too."
As I never had an Aseries we will probably never meet on a buisnes level but maybe next year at midget50, with a pint in our hands. :)

I do however have had quite a few bad experiences with brittish car-related companies.
If its more then 50%? I have to admit I dont know or even dont want to know.
Most guys ive done buisnes with are great on personal level but suck on a buisneslevel.

In my field of buisnes, construction(which to outsiders has a bad reputation too) an agrement is holy.
Once the price and terms are set there is no comming back too it and you go full throtlle to make it on time.
Not ready on time cost money and my reputation(which in the end costs even more money).

If somebody treats me right and makes his/her promisses then im a customer for life and wont go somewhere else for a little cheaper.

And then there are quite some brit-companies with whom ive done good buisnes with.

Its just sad that once every time you bump into companies who do not take their work/reputation serious on your expence.

Peter, I hope to stop over at Koen's for parts and coffee this saturday so ill pass on your greetings!
Arie de Best

Alistair, if your truly Scottisch shouldnt you be first asking who is the cheapest? :)

Ah Scotland, the worlds best spridgetroads...
For the summer of 2011 we hope to take the spridgets to the Alps but if we cant make the alps in 2011 ill probably go to Scotland again.
Perhaps the Hebridys(or however you spell it) Lewis and Haris or the east coast from aberdeen to the south.


Where in France are you and where in Scotland are you going?


Arie de Best

That's an unusual and very rare photo! They were usually struggling to keep up!

But in these winter months one too easily forgets how truly fantastic summer driving in Scotland really is!

Guy

Guy Oneandahalf Sprites

"That's an unusual and very rare photo! They were usually struggling to keep up!"

Guy, that trip I hardly got out of first gear? :)

How about the Alps next summer?
If im going to Scotland again I will let you know.



Photo: also high summer in Scotland...on the famous Applecros :)




Arie de Best

Yes I remember there was a bit of mist that day. That photo must have been around mid-day as well, despite looking like a wet November afternoon!

"I hardly got out of first gear" - Arie, that's because you kept slowing down for the corners. You loose momentum when you slow down - you should just keep your foot to the floor.

Sorry - thread hijack again !!
Guy Oneandahalf Sprites

Hi Arie

Sandra and I have some pictures like that from Applecross this last June....sad to say I let the side down driving a Suzuki Jimny...good for towing all those dead MGs though :)

We do all types of MG heads not just A and B series. Even the dreaded 1500.

Peter
P Burgess

Arie

Remember me to Koen also - I miss the old FISC series...

JB

Pic attached is the start of the first race FISC Le Mans 2000 - I'm in the Blue/yellow Midget just above the gantry - My team mate Dave Shannon is in the Blue/yellow open car with the sebring front on the front row of the grid... :)


James B

I saw Dave Shannon last Saturday when collecting a hard top from him, kindly ferried down from Oop north by Mr McGee.
Good Cheese.
Gary lazarus

Hi! Arie! I am on the south west point of Finistère,about 1200 Km from Holland and visit Galloway in south west Scotland. Also good driving roads with very few tourists...

Cheers, Alistair
A.G Peters

Hi Alistair

We had a week on The Machars 5th-12th November....the snow on the mountains was wonderful, especially looking from Garlieston to Cumbria...just like a Calendar pic, the flooding interesting to drive through, even had a tree fall on the farm track we were staying on....brilliant holiday and a great chill out as have been all our Scottish holidays.

Peter
P Burgess

This thread was discussed between 20/11/2010 and 26/11/2010

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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