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74 MG midget
#1
vhussmann Victor Cantoran
Chino, CA, USA   USA
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So I needed up buying a 74 Midget a while back and I removed most of the interior. And now I'm starting on my biggest task which is to getting it running. I have very limited if any knowledge on mechanics. Although I'm open to learn. I don't know where exactly to start. I tried to see what would happen if I placed the battery and turned it over. The only thing that happen was gasoline started to pour on the floor. Where would i start? What parts are missing? Any help is greatly appreciated.


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Re: 74 MG midget
#2
76lucas Avatar
76lucas Gold Member Josh L
Christiansburg, VA, USA   USA
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1978 MG Midget 1500
1979 MG Midget 1500 "Blue "parts" Car"
2013 Toyota Camry "Boring Daily"
First thing is to get a good manual and look over it. Get familiar with what you should have and what not. Second thing is to go to the tech library and find the article called Waking a sleeping mg. Lots of good useful information there. I personally don't think all that needs to be done. But it does at least need to be checked. Third be patient engines are not that complicated. But they have to be right to work. When you get stuck on it ask for help.


If you never try to do it You will never be able to do it

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Re: 74 MG midget
#3
vhussmann Victor Cantoran
Chino, CA, USA   USA
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In reply to # 3363942 by 76lucas First thing is to get a good manual and look over it. Get familiar with what you should have and what not. Second thing is to go to the tech library and find the article called Waking a sleeping mg. Lots of good useful information there. I personally don't think all that needs to be done. But it does at least need to be checked. Third be patient engines are not that complicated. But they have to be right to work. When you get stuck on it ask for help.

Is there a specific manual that you recommend? Thanks for the info

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Re: 74 MG midget
#4
76lucas Avatar
76lucas Gold Member Josh L
Christiansburg, VA, USA   USA
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1978 MG Midget 1500
1979 MG Midget 1500 "Blue "parts" Car"
2013 Toyota Camry "Boring Daily"
The Bentley factory work shop manual. Haynes makes one but it can be a little vague. You can get them used or I think you can get it new. Also if you have internet there are a lot of videos of midget repairs. I won't say they are all good but at least it could help you get familiar with the car.


If you never try to do it You will never be able to do it

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Re: 74 MG midget
#5
ice Avatar
ice Gold Member Larry Ice
Lawrenceville, GA, USA   USA
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1971 MG Midget MkIII
Josh hit it! Find a manual and read up on your car before attempting to "fix it"! Keep to the simple things at first and work yourself "into" the car. Many new owners just rush in and start making "fixes" w/o knowing what they are doing. These cars are simple enough to work on and even if yo do make a mistake they are not expensive to redo.
Have fun!


Iceman

Atlanta GA

71 MG Midget

62 AH MKII
67 Midget
71 Midget

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Re: 74 MG midget
#6
Billm Gold Member Bill Masquelier
Santee, CA, USA   USA
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1960 MG MGA 1600
1965 MG Midget MkII
1966 Austin-Healey Sprite "Sprite"
1966 Austin-Healey Sprite "Sprite"
The manuals are on line here:
http://www.spridgetguru.com/TchIndx18.html
BillM

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Re: 74 MG midget
#7
vhussmann Victor Cantoran
Chino, CA, USA   USA
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Great thank you all for the info!

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Re: 74 MG midget
#8
rosmitley Avatar
rosmitley Ralph Smitley Jr.
Las Cruces, NM, USA   USA
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1974 MG Midget MkIII
1979 Ford Thunderbird "Wedding Cake"
Stuck valve/float in fuel float bowl (stuck open). Tap on the float bowl gently to try and free it up. Could be a bigger problem, but that's a good start. Go buy a shop manual, I agree with all the above recommendations.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016-10-03 12:15 PM by rosmitley.


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Re: 74 MG midget
#9
tomshobby Avatar
tomshobby Tom Smith
Windsor, WI, USA   USA
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1974 MG Midget
1976 Triumph TR6
My 74 before and after with a lot of help from this forum and other places.

Get at least one manual asap.

The first physical thing I would do is find the gas leak and fix it. Not only is it a big safety item but you will learn other things along the way.


Tom Smith
1974 Midget
1976 TR6


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Re: 74 MG midget
#10
angliagt Avatar
angliagt Doug Milota
Roanoke, VA, USA   USA
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1967 MG MGB GT "The MG"
1974 MG Midget MkIII "The Midget"
As I mentioned in another post,get this manual -
"Restoring Sprites & Midgets" by Grahame Bristow. It has
some really good pictures/drawings,based on the author's
rebuilding of his own MKIII Midget.
You can get it from Moss.

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Re: 74 MG midget
#11
jmac Avatar
jmac Gold AdvertiserAdvertiser Jere McSparran
Greenup, IL, USA   USA
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1970 MG Midget "(SOLD)"
1978 MG Midget "Therapy"
1978 MG Midget "(SOLD)"
In reply to # 3363862 by vhussmann "I have very limited if any knowledge on mechanics."

Welcome to our madness!
You have come to the right place.
These are very basic cars and great for learning. If you can figure out what makes it tick you can figure out most things. From the looks of your engine you will need to clean it up and go through all the basic parts to get it in shape. It would be good, in order for us to help you, to know some things.
When did it run last?
How fresh is your fuel?
Does it produce spark?

Your car has an electric fuel pump so as soon as you turn the key to "on" the pump starts pumping fuel. So it would be good to know where the fuel is leaking from.


Jere McSparran
JMAC Engine Shop
Website: http://www.jmacengineshop.com
email: jmacengineshop@gmail.com
Phone: 217-232-7303


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JMAC Engine Shop jmacengineshop.weebly.com
MG/Triumph engine rebuilding. Specializing in the Midget/Spitfire 1500 engine.
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