Don't feel too bad about your lack of mechanical skills. When I got my first
Midget (at 16) I couldn't even change oil. Last night (10 years and 3-4 Midgets
later), I went out in my driveway and started, without giving it a second
thought, tearing down the engine to do a swap. I still am not totally sure what
I'm doing, but these little beasts give you confidence because of their
mechanical simplicity. Just put all the bolts in little baggies and label them.
:-) I also take lots of "before" pictures.
Wiper motors are not specific to any particular year of car (one from at least
75-79 would fit, if not others) . They should be easily available used, which
would save you some money. They are also relatively easy to replace (I just did
it). But, if it works, I don't know why it'd need replacing.
Changing the thermostat is quite easy. Right there on top of your engine, just
behind the radiator/fan but before the valve cover, is a little cap with lots of
hoses coming off it. Right on top of that is a large bolt-looking-thing (it's a
plug), You can pull that plug and look inside to see if you have a thermostat.
To put in a new one, all you need to do is get the thermostat and a new gasket,
pull two bolts, pop in the new thermostat, clean up the housing, apply the new
gasket, and put it back together. You won't be tested on this, but the point is
that it's easy.
Hang in there. These cars are a lot of fun to drive, but they are also a lot of
fun to work on. Don't let a mechanic or any list member discourage you (I have
gotten some strange responses from list members too, but I have never
encountered
anybody who didn't really mean well). Some mechanics just suck, pure and
simple. I had one tell me that he didn't work on those old cars anymore because
he had invested too much money in new equipment. I could tell he was looking at
me (through the phone) down his nose. :-) Good luck!
adrian
'75 Midget with being dismantled in the driveway
'75 Midget in the garage waiting on me to figure out how to reassemble the doors
PS I don't think carbs get "old." Some people are running carbs from the late
50's and early 60's without any problems. He probably just couldn't figure it
out.
Tomsjetta@aol.com wrote:
> I have survived week one of Midget ownership.
>
> Some of you howled when you found out I took the car to the shop, but, let me
> be honest here, I am dumb as dirt when it comes to working on cars. I have no
> experience, no tools, nothing. Trust me, for the sake of the car, you want me
> to take it to a mechanic.
>
> As usual, nothing here is as simple as hoped. My whole wiper switch was
> replaced. Wipers now work, but cannot be turned off unless you pull some plug
> under the dash (I asked, but was not shown). Mechanic tells me I need a new
> wiper motor to fix the problem. Fine, I say, but I am told his parts guy is
> off till Labor Day, and that this part is almost impossible to find, and, the
> motor is year specific to the '78. If this is true, why does the Moss catalog
> have the wiper motor available, but says nothing about the '78 cars needing a
> '78 only motor? Also, windshield spray not working. I am on day 7 of a 20 day
> temp registration-I do not have a lot of time to waste.
>
> Next item. Car has Weber carb. Car backfires when backing off throttle at
> anyhthing over 3,000 rpm. Mechanic tells me he leaned it out as much as he
> could, but it still backfires. I'm told it is an older carb, but was given
> some instruction as to tell whether or not it needed to be replaced. Guys, it
> was so far above my head he may as well have been speaking Swahili. So, I
> don't know if I need a new carb or what. The car runs a little rich. It
> passed emissions today, which is obviously important. I am totally in the
> dark here.
>
> Next item. Thermostat. I am told it is not there, or not connected. Car sits
> in traffic and gets hot, then the idle deteriorates, and the oil light
> flickers a bit. List member tells this is the result of oil thinning out due
> to high heat. This I can understand. I tell mechanic I obviously want a
> thermostat. I am given a set of instructions I again do not understand. I
> tell him I don't have a clue about this stuff, but it gets me nowhere. So, I
> have no thermostat, no indication mechanic wants to do it for me.
>
> Sadly, I am told that this guy is incredible with these cars. BUT my wife and
> I feel like he is simply disinterested in our car, or in helping us get the
> car right. For $350 he replaced a piece of fuel line, the switch for the
> hazard lights, installed the wiper switch, changed the oil, took it for a
> drive, leaned out the carb and made a temporary fix to get the driver's side
> mirror on the car. With my car in his garage, I asked him how to do
> something, and he couldn't show me, write it down, anything. For all the
> praise I hear about this guy, I guess I just don't see it. My local garage
> takes better care of me with my Jetta.
>
> Yes, after today I did ask myself if I should even own this car. I love
> it-but I find it a fault that I cannot diagnose nor service it as a severe
> detriment to those who own and service these cars. I am not trying to be
> ignorant-I simply do not know, but I need to be taught in a way I can
> understand. I only want what is best for this car, and I know I am not the
> person who can provide that service at this time.
>
> Onto the next problem. Mechanic complains that the clutch does not feel
> right-says it should only feel that way if it is new, or if the hydraulics
> are on their way out. I am told to keep track of the clutch fluid. I looked
> at it tonight, and it is filled to the top. I will pray, and hope it stays
> that way.
>
> On the passenger side, under the hood, right above the wheel well, there is a
> translucent container with a tube coming out; it looks like it leads to the
> radiator-the container is totally empty. What goes in there? I have the
> original owner's manual, and I can't find it.
>
> I know I've come here with many questions, and I am sure more will follow.
> Please understand that I am learning all of this for the first time. I've
> shelved my male ego and simply confessed I have not a clue how to help this
> car myself. But, I love it, and I love to drive it, and enjoy it. This past
> week, the best part of my day is to fire this car up and go for a drive along
> the shore. That alone makes me wonder how I ever got along without this car.
>
> If my mechanic is too elite for a newbie like me, that I can understand. A
> guy almost made me an offer on the car this weekend, and he recommended his
> place where his XJ-6 is serviced, so I might give him a shot. All I know is
> that this car must pass inspection in a few days, so whoever is willing to
> help wins my $$.
>
> Tom
> 78 Midget
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J. Adrian Barnes, MCP
Business Information Group
http://www.workgroup.net
http://www.midgetweb.com
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