MG Midget. … The competition season is looming
Just a quick mention of the MG Midget and the forthcoming hillclimb and sprint season. …. The engine I have been preparing for the competition season is pretty well ready to go into the car. … It has a baffled sump, refurbished oil pump, blanked off fuel pump appeture, (replacing with electric), no fan, (fitting electric), electronic ignition. .. On the pictures you can see the sandwich plate below the oil filter that will enable me to fit the 13 row oil cooler.
I also have refurbished HS4 SU carbs and a tuned 4 branch exhaust manifold ready to go on. … I guess balancing the bottom end and lightening the flywheel would have been worthwhile, but that will have to be the next engine change!!
The other contributors towards keeping the engine in good order are: Using Penrite HPR30, 20/60 engine oil, and keeping to the following rules when driving. … Do not sit with the clutch depressed and the car in gear too long. Put it into neutral and handbrake on. (When the clutch is depressed it presses the crankshaft forward, which causes fast wear to the thrust washers that prevent forward movement of the crank. This can lead to a wrecked engine sooner than is desirable!!). …. On initial start up, crank the engine with a starter button with the ignition off. I have fitted a starter button to facilitate this. (Oil draining from the filter and off the bearing surfaces cause fast bearing wear).
I hope I can get the engine change done soon so that I can book a rolling road session to ensure ignition timing is “spot on” and carbs are properly set up. … This will also tell me where maximum power and torque occurs in the rev range, and what bhp is available at the rear wheels. … I`m only expecting about 80bhp, but the car is quite light so power to weight ratio should be about 150bhp per ton. (Based on guesswork, I havn`t calculated it accurately).
Engine ready for transplant
Note the sandwich plate for oil cooler fitting
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About the Author
Phil Smith is a vintage car enthusiast with many years experience of owning, restoring and using vintage, PVT and classic cars. A longstanding member of The Vintage Sports Car Club (VSCC), The Riley register and The MG Car Club. Makes he has owned include Alvis, Bentley, Lagonda, MG, Talbot and Riley, of course. Now retired, Phil satisfies his 'old motor urges' by competing in the MGCC Luffield Speed series in MG Midgets from the 60's and 70's. This blog will chart his return to vintage/PVT cars.
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