MG Midget & 1400cc K series Engine
Hefin James
Hi all,
Has anybody slotted in a the new'ish 1400cc K series engine into a
Midget (1978 rubber). The problem I have is, which gearbox to use? As far
as I can see, ( I haven't looked much) nothing fits the bill, but I heard
from somewhere that FSO used the K series engine for racing, driving the
back wheels I think. Anybody know what gearbox they used?
Thanks in advance, Hefin.
Alex Ratcliffe
You might want to ask Caterham cars. They use the 1400 K series in one of
their Super Seven Models, so they might be able to suggest/supply a
gearbox. I dont think it will be cheap though....
Alex.
Nigel Cliffe
I think Caterham use a Ford Sierra box with a special plate to mate it to
the K engine.
There is a company in Preston which is advertising rebuilt Midgets with K
series engines. They have 1400cc and 1800cc (from an F). Adverts in the MG
Car Club magazine, Safety Fast.
Moor Lance Garage, 140 Moor Lane, Preston, PR1 1JR 01772 555020. Perhaps
they would offer you a box from one of their cars.
(I've no connection with Moor Lane Garage, just noticed their advert.)
- Nigel.
In article <01bc3ae0$ab39aba0$53f5...@aratcliffe.uu.net>, "Alex Ratcliffe"
<aratc...@uu.net> wrote:
--
Nigel Cliffe, BT Labs, Martlesham Heath UK | No Spam, not
To send me email, remove the XgarbageX | even on toast.
element from the reply address.
SWoodw1696
I've not considered this conversion myself (need to get a hole-free floor
& some
brakes before embarking on anything else!), but I once spoke to someone
who
was thinking of converting an early seventies model and said that a
5-speed
Toyota box fitted the bill.
Sorry I don't know any more than that, but I hope it points you in the
right
direction. Also, see this month's Practical Classics, in which some
nutter from
Australia has fitted a 3.3 litre Holden straight-six to a Sprite and has
used a
Toyota 'box himself.
mike
In article <alban-29039...@psdb-tb.demon.co.uk>, Alan B
<al...@psdb-tb.demon.co.uk> writes
>Contact Tony Bolton at Moor Lane garage, he's currently doing midget
>conversions to K-series. Unfortunately I don't have the phone number to
>hand.
>
>Al
I (foolishly) had a lot of work done by Moor Lane Garage Preston and
WOULD NOT recommend them, I was badly advised by the owner, who was only
interested in parting money from customers. Be careful, get a second
opinion.
--
mike
mike
In article <ncliffe-ya0230800...@news.axion.bt.co.uk>,
Nigel Cliffe <ncl...@hfnet.bt.XgarbageX.co.uk> writes
>
>I think Caterham use a Ford Sierra box with a special plate to mate it to
>the K engine.
>
>
>There is a company in Preston which is advertising rebuilt Midgets with K
>series engines. They have 1400cc and 1800cc (from an F). Adverts in the MG
>Car Club magazine, Safety Fast.
>Moor Lance Garage, 140 Moor Lane, Preston, PR1 1JR 01772 555020. Perhaps
>they would offer you a box from one of their cars.
>
>(I've no connection with Moor Lane Garage, just noticed their advert.)
>
>
>- Nigel.
>
>
Alan B
Alan B
.........
> >
> >Al
> I (foolishly) had a lot of work done by Moor Lane Garage Preston and
> WOULD NOT recommend them, I was badly advised by the owner, who was only
> interested in parting money from customers. Be careful, get a second
> opinion.
I must admit I've never dealt with them myself. I'd just seen the
hillclimb car and seen the ads. Ta for the advice.
Al
Leslie B Rose
In article <19970329121...@ladder01.news.aol.com>, SWoodw1696
<swood...@aol.com> writes
>was thinking of converting an early seventies model and said that a
>5-speed
>Toyota box fitted the bill.
I have somewhere some instructions for fitting the 5-speed Toyota box to
the Spridget. You need a bell housing from Rooster Racing (whoever they
are), but you have to cut away the cross member at the front of the
trans tunnel, which I wasn't keen on. Main problem is that no relatively
modern box is small enough to fit inside the tunnel without major
surgery (or does anyone know better?).
--
Leslie B Rose
Pete Morgan-Lucas
Leslie B Rose wrote:
>
> I have somewhere some instructions for fitting the 5-speed Toyota box to
> the Spridget. You need a bell housing from Rooster Racing (whoever they
> are),
I *believe* Rooster Racing were based at Silverstone - haven't seen
their ads around for a while.
[Could they have been connected with Robin Rew, who was also based at
Silverstone and did work on Scimitars/ACs, and who pulled out of the
busness a year or so back? Not sure... your mileage may vary]
//PJML//
Alan B
> I have somewhere some instructions for fitting the 5-speed Toyota box to
> the Spridget. You need a bell housing from Rooster Racing (whoever they
> are), but you have to cut away the cross member at the front of the
> trans tunnel, which I wasn't keen on. Main problem is that no relatively
> modern box is small enough to fit inside the tunnel without major
> surgery (or does anyone know better?).
Tim Fenna at Sprite & Midget Developments does the kit for the Toyota box,
I know 2 people who've done it and they had no drama's.
Try a ford type 9 box, if it fits a Caterham it must go in a Midget. It's
used by the Moggie Minor Centre for their 5 speed conversions so there's
gotto be a bellhousing available to fit the A series.
I know I keep doing this but I havn't got a copy of the MG Club mag handy
so I can't give you the phone no!
Al
Alan B
Bad form replying to your own message I know but I smegged up!
> Tim Fenna at Sprite & Midget Developments does the kit for the Toyota box,
Tim Fenna is of course Frontline Developments not Sprite and Midget.....
He advertises in the Car club mag and also in MG Enthusiast IIRC
Al
Brian S Laing
In article <01bc3ac5$38e54890$6b0c7c90@pccjge>, Hefin James
<URL:mailto:a...@aber.ac.uk> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
> Has anybody slotted in a the new'ish 1400cc K series engine into a
> Midget (1978 rubber). The problem I have is, which gearbox to use? As far
> as I can see, ( I haven't looked much) nothing fits the bill, but I heard
> from somewhere that FSO used the K series engine for racing, driving the
> back wheels I think. Anybody know what gearbox they used?
>
You could try Fisher Sportscars in Kent, Tel 01622 832977. They supply Fury
kitcars which are about the same size as a Midget with a K-series option.
Regards,
Brian
Brian S Laing, / Ś\
Langpipe Ltd, _Ś)_____________/ /=====\#
Aberdeenshire / / \ /\______/ / \ \#
Scotland ŚŚ 7 Ś Ś 7 Ś/ #
br...@seven-7.demon.co.uk \___/ -------========o- \___/