What David said, with a few personal preferences
thrown in.
For parts, I have had much, much better luck with
smaller places than I have with Moss/Victoria British.
There are many on this list and are classy enough not
to solicit their stuff in this forum. Also check the
Scions of Lucas page for the Monster list of suppliers
with recommendations.
Regarding books, many questions can be answered with
Haynes, Bentley, and Terry Horler's Original
Sprite/Midget book. When you get your second car with
a proper A series engine (shields up), get your self
David Vizard's tuning book, and Daniel Stapleton's
(missing in action lately) How to Power Tune Your
Sprite/Midget.
--- Lancer7676@aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 9/3/99 11:26:16 PM Eastern
> Daylight Time, payn@null.net
> writes:
>
> << s there a FAQ somewhere that I should read?>>
>
> Right here Andy is the best source for FAQ's. Stay
> tuned, ask questions, go
> to our archives and write in a search topic. You
> will get an answer. <A
>
HREF="http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=spridgets";>Spridget
> List
> Archives</A>
>
> << Are there a bunch of links that can get me
> started searching for Spridget
> info on the net?>>
>
> This will get you started. It has a multitude of
> Links to other sites.
> Other listers will send more I am sure. <A
>
HREF="http://members.tripod.com/PDLJMPR/contents.htm";>PDLJMPR
> Web Magazine
> for Austin Healey Sprites - Table of Contents</A>
>
> <<Where can I get a repair manual and an owner's
> manual?>>
>
> I would start with Haynes. Some guys prefer the
> Bently. Haynes is probably
> available, maybe on ordrer from Your local Auto stop
> and shop, like Auto Zone
> or Advance.
>
> << Where's the best place near me for parts?>>
>
> I would first check Advance Auto. It is amazing
> what they can get. Beyond
> that there are several sources of parts, depending
> on what you need. A great
> source of many parts, as well as rebuilt shocks and
> suspension items, is a
> lister, Peter Caldwell of World Wide Auto Parts
> (nosimport@mailbag.com).
>
> << Is there a good mail-order source for parts (or
> more than one)?>>
>
> There are several. Peter, above, is an excellent
> starting point for mail. I
> have also gotten excellent parts from Moss and
> Victoria British, but be sure
> to specify you want NO oriental-made parts--only
> USA- or British-made.
> Winner's Circle in Cleveland is good. Mini-Mania.
> There are several others.
> The listers will send more.
>
> <<Who's the best professional mechanic near me?>>
>
> Dunno--I can only speak for Knoxville, TN.
>
> << Why doesn't anyone make a car this great
> anymore?>>
>
> Look around. Why doesnt anyone make anything as
> great any more? Cars have
> become jelly beans--all looking alike. We have lost
> so much in our drive to
> conformity. The age when these cars were made was
> the tail end of
> individuality and uniqueness. We are in the age of
> the plastic mold.
>
> << Any hints on the ricketiness going over bumps?>>
>
> I am afraid you should check the
> suspension--especially for looseness in the
> kingpin and lower suspension. As you will see when
> you get a manual,
> everything rides on a threaded bolt at the bottom
> that pivots inside threaded
> bushings. These wear out and must be replaced.
> Major Suspension Kits are
> available from the mail order parts suppliers. You
> will need a manual and
> input from the list when and if you get to that
> point. Assuming of course
> this is what you need--it frequently is. Could just
> be loose bolts and worn
> rubber bushings, but I would guess it goes further
> than that.
>
> << Is it worth converting the suspension to
> something more modern? Are there
> kits for that? Are they a good deal? How hard is
> it?>>
>
> I haven't -- Maybe other listers can speak to that.
> There ARE conversion
> kits to modern tube shocks if you would want to go
> that route. The ones I
> have been impressed with are essentially bolt on.
>
> <<Is there a reasonably easy way to improve the
> brakes?>>
>
> Depends. If you have an older Midget with single
> braking system, you CAN
> convert to the later Dual braking system with a new
> master, proportioning
> valve and new brake piping. If you have front
> drums, you can convert to
> front discs. Again, other listers might have more
> ideas here.
>
> --David C.
>
Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com
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