MG Midget Forum

Inside the "cooper cans" style air cleaners are some tubes ment to keep the two bolts from crushing the air cleaner. Originally they were made of a soft steel that had been bent into a tube, but the seam was left unwelded. I am rebuilding a set of SU carbs for a friend and we bought a set of the OEM cooper cans for it from a swap meet. they needed some work. I got rid of the dents, carefully primed sanded primed sanded and panted so they look great. It was missing this spacer or "distance piece" on one bolt and the rest look pretty smashed. I was wondering if anyone had some ideas of what I material I could use instead of the factory spacers that would stand up to the heat of an engine bay and be about the same size as the original piece. The bolts are 5/16" in diameter. There has to be some fiberglass, or carbon fiber that would work right? I remember making some OEM style ones out of some electrical conduit back in the day when I was closer to a good shop with a good vise and a hacksaw.

BTW I've checked, this part doesn't show up on moss as far as I can tell, and yes I've checked the factory parts lists too.

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Seth Jones

1971 MG Midget

www.SpridgetGuru.com

Hi Seth,

Check out a McMaster Carr catalog. They sell thick wall tubing in smaller sizes.

Sam.

How bout a piece of 5/16 fuel line cut slightly longer than the original steel tubing and forced over the bolts? When compressed they will provide support for the "can". I don't think you would have a problem with the heat and you can easily adjust the proper length with a knife. Don't think the vibration would bother them either.

FWIW

Ice

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Iceman

Atlanta GA

71 MG Midget

62 AH MKII
67 Midget
71 Midget

Gutter spacers.

Seth,
I have 4 spacers from my 73 parts car if you're interested.
Rut

I found a couple spares rummaging around in my boot. Welcome to them as patterns or to use.

Cut lengths of PVC pipe to fit...

Dick

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Errabundi Saepe, Semper Certi
(Often wrong, but always certain)

I attached the bottom plate with a stud and nut, threaded another nut on the top thread the right distance and put the top on then tightened another nut on top.

seth,

3/8" pipe from hardware store cut to proper length.

skip

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if you are are not happy,you are doing the wrong thing. sooo.....??

Don't try to cut the EMT tubing with a hacksaw- get a tubing cutter from Harbor Freight ($5.00) and get a straight, clean cut
BillM

We don't need no stinkin' straight cuts! Do like the boys did in Abingdon did on a Friday afternoon…just after their first pint.