Hey folks.
I haven't been around for a while, but now I'm back. Any major changes
while I was gone (last 4 months)? Anyone missing?
My Midget 1500 still isn't running. Rather than continue putzing around
with it, I've just decided to take it to MGT's (Bob Medynski in West
MiIford NJ) in late March/Early April. While I'm there, I'd like to have a
bunch of stuff done to the car, and I'm not sure what's feasible or cost
effective. Following is a list of what I'd like to get done. Then questions
are after that. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
(remember, it's a '78 Midget 1500)
1. Find out why it's not running (still assuming that it'll be ignition
related)
2. Pull engine and install new tranny (Can't just install tranny on
a Midget, engine has to come out)
3. Change and pin thrust washers
4. Install new oil pump
5. Install new Borg and Beck Clutch
6. Change engine and tranny mounts
7. Install header
8. Convert single ZS carb to twin HS4's
9. Monza exhaust (maybe, not decided yet)
10. New reverse switch on tranny
11. new water pump
12. used radiator and shroud
13. used heater core (assuming I ruined the other one, long story)
And these are things I'd like to do, but I'm not sure how much work is
involved.
1. From the John Twist article and list member suggestions "draw out the
oil pump shaft housing and increase the diameter of the center oil gallery
from 1/4 inch to 5/16 inch (doubling the cross sectional area, hence
doubling the oil available). "
Can this be done without having to dismantle the entire engine? I'd like
to do this as the engine oil pressure can get REALLY low in the summer when
it's hot, but I also don't have an endless supply of cash.
2. Also, port and shave the head. I've been reading the "Theory and
Practice Of Cylinder Head Modification" by Vizard. I'm not very far yet,
but with almost two hours of commuting time a day, I'll have read a lot
(maybe the whole thing) within a few weeks. How difficult is this? Vizard
makes it seem that anyone with a brain, and a few tools (like a dremel w/
flex shaft) can port and polish a head. Is this a realistic approach for me
to take? Can it be done by a shade tree mechanic? I bought a complete head
(still waiting for it) for less than $50 bucks total from a '77 Spitfire
that the guy SWEARS is in good shape. Ready to bolt on, as he puts it. It
has all the valves, rockers, guides, etc... Even the valve cover. If
I use this one, I'll have time to work on my old head.
I'm sure the valves on mine are shot after that whole 6 cylinder ignition on
a 1500 spectacle that I suspect is the reason the car's not running now. I
want to shave a little off it anyway to increase compression. Should I just
let the machine shop do it all? I know I can't shave it without a milling
machine (i.e. I can't shave it myself).
So the net summary of questions is:
1. Can I port and polish the head myself or let a good machine shop do it?
2. Should I have it shaved?
3. Can I have the center oil gallery increased easily without undoing the
entire engine?
4. Is the above a machine shop only job?
5. Is there anything else I should do while I have the engine out?
6. If I have to dismantle the entire engine to have the oil gallery volume
increased, should I have any other stuff done while it's dismantled?
Roughly, what would it cost to have the cylinder block bored to .40 over?
How much does a new set of good 40 over pistons cost? Used? How about
having it line bored and balanced? Balanced flywheel? Grinding the
crankshaft, recircling the connecting rods, etc... WHAT ELSE? What does all
this usually cost? Remember, this is a running engine (with low oil
pressure, and ignition troubles to be fixed first, aka #1 above)
7. and the biggie: How will all this affect my emissions as the car needs
to be inspected by the end of April in order to remain registered?
All opinions welcomed.
Thanks Mike
Oh Yeah. I already have the tranny, carbs, manifold, linkage, oil pump,
radiator, heater core, shroud, clutch, and spare head.
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CREDIT | FIRST
SUISSE | BOSTON
FID Product Control
Eleven Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10010
(212)325-8646
This message is for the named person's use only. It may contain
confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information. No
confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any mistransmission.
If you receive this message in error, please immediately delete it and all
copies of it from your system, destroy any hard copies of it and notify the
sender. You must not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, distribute,
print, or copy any part of this message if you are not the intended
recipient. CREDIT SUISSE GROUP and each of its subsidiaries each reserve
the right to monitor all e-mail communications through its networks. Any
views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, except
where the message states otherwise and the sender is authorised to state
them to be the views of any such entity.
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