Spridget Tech Talk (MG Midget & Austin-Healey Sprite)
Well, I have had very good luck driving for quite a while with not issues. My '73 has always ran at about one-third of the way on the temp guage during the summer. Now that it is cold here (40 degrees) the guage does not hardly move off the peg. I suspect that the thermostat is either stuck open or perhaps even missing. AUTOZONE shows 160, 180 and 195 degree stats, anyone have advise on what to use?
im interested in hearing what folks say about this my new midget gets just barely up to about the 1/3 mark after a good long run at 60mph..... it seemed to me as if it wasnt warming up as much as it should but idk its my first miget experience
180 is a good, all-around thermostat. For better economy use a 195, for more power use a 160.
BillM
I had a 180 degree in mine, never got heat in the winter, and the car never reached temperature in the winter.
swapped in a 195 degree, reaches perfect temperature (all year round) and stays pegged right in the middle, regardless out outside temperature.
and my heater works perfectly now.
I just replaced my radiator. I had a 160 Thermostat and that's were it stood...in the middle of the summer. I changed to a 180 wity Good results.
Ramon, The 180F stat is good but, if your are going to use the midget frequently in the winter months go with a 195F. The 1275cc engine run much better when they warmed up than cold. Forget the 160F was mentioned
nothing but 195. All year round. Thermo does nothing to cool and engine when it's working properly. Only makes your enginer warm up quicker in summer and keeps it warm in winter.
OK, I will be off to the parts store in the morning. One I get it opened up I will let you know what I find.
Hey Ramon, purty cold this weekend aye? Yep, let us know how the 195 goes. I'm not sure what mine is. It did really well Friday running around town. The temp stayed about a 1/4" from N so Im good with that. Mine is likely a 180. Have you found a 5 spd yet for the conversion?
Well, I opened it up an guess what I found, NO thermostat. I decided to go the for the 180 degree 'stat. Piece of cake to change, three 13mm nuts and a tap with a hammer on the side of the housing. I did have to fire up the old kero heater in the garage as we had a bit of snow here in northern Alabama last night and the temps were around 40-45 in the garage.
I have not came up with the 5 speed yet, but I suppose it will be a good winter project to pull the motor & trans then clean up the engine bay before doing the swap out.
You might want to check that thermostat before you pop it in. Boil it in water with a temp probe and see at what temp it does actually open. And I'd cry you a river about wrenching in a cold garage but I'm out there when it's single digits (and no heater) so, you better cry for me instead!
After about 40 miles (give or take a bit) the temp indicator stayed on the left side of the "N" about in what may be termed the 7:00 position. Today was a mild 45 degrees outside and the temp came up to the 7:00 position after about two miles into the 8 mile trip to my onsite office. The inside the car temp with the heater working was comfortable. However, I don't know if I would advise it for Chicago sub-zero commuting that I left behind about eleven years ago!