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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - K series instructions

Chaps

Think I may have asked previously but unable to find the thread...

Anyone have some useful pointers as regards comprehensive instructions for installing a K series or indeed any other suitably enhanced engine into a midget?

Type 9 box fitted - which IIRC may be advantageous.

What I am after is some sort of Haynes manual for installation....if at all possible.

Wouldn't mind a crack at it myself, but never having attempted something as ambitious as engine removal/replacement, I would value a decent procedure.
Mark O

there isn't a manual, because there are a variety of different ways of doing it. There's also no set procedure (well, not one more detailed than take old engine out put new one in), again because of the possible variations. There's the option of Ford Zetec too.

If you've not got as far as standard engine removal/replace then it might be quite a big step up to swap to K. A lot of people start, then stall with a dead in-between car, or it sits for a large number of years without being used.

Nevertheless, if you look at www.robsmidget.co.uk (mine) for how I did it, and there is www.kmidget.com, a dedicated forum, and additionally a very active facebook group (K Series Midget and MGB) where you can while away some hours looking at the way some people have done theirs.
Rob Armstrong

Rob

I have indeed studied your fine website and very informative it is too. It is quite a big step for me - not having done anything like it beforehand - hence the need for a little more detail. I was also thinking of cheating and buying one more or less complete, but they do seem thin on the ground.
Mark O

They are indeed a bit hard to buy. Mostly because people keep them once finished!

What sort of detail were you after? The wiring can be a bugger but it's a well trodden path.

There really should be a set of other mods to go for too, rear axle location, damping, front suspension work and brakes if aiming at track work.

As you'll know, mines the 1400 one. It's plenty fast enough.
Rob Armstrong

Rob

I was thinking of a sort of step by step instruction of fitting the engine/box more than anything, particularly the body mods required, the mounting/starter motor/bellhousing interface/gearbox support mods etc etc and yes, the wiring does fill me with some dread. I am reasonably adept at the practicalities, but not at knowing exactly what must be done and in what order.

Other mods you mention are probably much easier to accomplish as there is plenty of info out there to use as some sort of procedure - suffice to say it will not be used on the track but the mods seem sensible nevertheless.

Cheers

Mark
Mark O

A few options available.

I did it as follows: (generally)

Take old engine and gearbox out.
Get a:
K series engine
Type 9 box
Caterham bellhousing
Caterham starter
Caterham starter spacer plate
Ford Sierra 1.6 clutch plate, release bearing and arm
Rover cover plate
Spigot bush and shim
Longer bellhousing bolts
Put that lot together on a bench and make sure it works.

Chop some (measure first) from battery tray.

Put new engine and box in. Assist with hammer. Make up some engine mounts or buy some that don't fit. Gearbox mount is probably pretty similar to your existing one.

Engine out again, weld up new heater base and put battery in the boot.

Chop as much out of the alternator bracket as you think you can get away with, it needs to be close.

Build or buy filter take off and associated gubbins

Build or buy coolant rail

Build or buy exhaust manifold.

Install high pressure fuel stuff in or under boot.

Engine and box back in and join all that stuff on.

Add wiring and fuel pipes to suit.

Go!

Easy....
Rob Armstrong

Rob

Much obliged, and as they say in these parts...Aye right!.....

My thinking is get (another) decent-ish RWA and start from there.....it would be a pity to risk wrecking the current one.

Mark O

The main thing is not to stall on it. Cos it'll seem like a mountain of stuff and then will be unfinishable.
Rob Armstrong

Search in the archives for the Twin Cam on this discussion board - lots of helpful advice and details in there. I'm still using it throughout my build. There's also the kmidget forum and of course, the Facebook group Rob & I are members of. Helpful group of people when you are stuck!
Nick P

Hi Nick :)

Loads and loads of info in the archives on here. Many of the pioneers posted in there and are now elsewhere on the net.

Do lots of research, write lots of notes and ask lots of questions. That'll get you your own installation instructions.
Rob Armstrong

I'm mid way (or mid "stall"). Looking a challenge for this summer unless I get back on it soonish.

There are quite a few options so really is not single one size fits all set of instructions. So much depends on ability to fabricate - or willingness to purchase ready made parts etc. The marketing suggests going the frontline parts list route would give access to their "standard" approach, parts and advice. Its not cheap - and I've seen/read many mixed reviews of them.

I have actually found the engine/gearbox fitting almost the easy part...getting the battery/cooling/electrics/oil/heater/fuel etc etc sorted is taking more time than I perhaps allowed for.

Then there are always more jobs (like swapping the seats for a nice pair of heated leather MX5 ones) that suddenly absorb hours on ebay and additional planning in the garage ;-)
Dean Smith ('73 RWA)

Guys, I get al emotional seing K-activity again on the old bbs.
The other K-website is a bit dead lately.



"Then there are always more jobs (like swapping the seats for a nice pair of heated leather MX5 ones) that suddenly absorb hours on ebay and additional planning in the garage ;-) "

I know what you mean Dean, I suffer from the same ebay madness looking for parts for my XJ6.
It has taken more time then I actualy worked on the car... :(
Arie

Mark

There are some pictures of the body modifications I did on my web site.

http://www.ktu661c.com/

Regards

Gary
G Crouch

This thread was discussed between 08/02/2016 and 11/02/2016

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.