Manual recommendation

I have just purchased a 1974 Midget (1275 powered) and it needs a bit of work. Can anyone recommend the most comprehensive shop manual for this car? I'll need to be doing a lot of disassembly on the dash, engine and body, etc so I need something more in detail than the old handbook and Work Shop Manual.

It may not be the best, but it is fairly complete and relatively inexpensive, a Haynes manual. Available through Amazon for about $10 used. http://www.amazon.com/Midget-Austin-Sprite-1958-80-Manuals/dp/085696588X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258391945&sr=1-1

nice looking car! Mine is almost exactly the same ('74, with the giant bumper over riders removed).

I recommend that you use both the Haynes and the Bentley, since they complement each other so nicely.

The Haynes gives basic instruction for everything, and a few tips for how to do tasks with simple hand tools.
The Bentley is the original shop manual so assumes some specialized tools, but also has ALL of the specs, for every year of the 1275, so you can use it to help decide things like distributor advance and needle size for different engine set ups (like, when eliminating the smog equipment), and all of the various crank case ventilation systems used over the years to help understand what combinations work with each other with the most ease, details on the pesky seatbelt interlock system that you may have to bypass someday when the transistor burns out (btdt) things like that.


here is a link to the Bentley for your quick reference:

http://www.spridget-tech.com/page3.html

Norm

Bently IS the best....

[i]Thanks guys. Looks like a Bentley manual in my future.
Actually bought this for my wife.i]

...but I thiink our dog likes it too!

i love the color Mark

check this auction out, might be able to get them cheap

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390119220522

I have bought pretty much all the manual, and I found they are pretty similar.

good luck

Looks great Mark. Looks similar to mine. I'm over in Gainesville and about 3 mos w/ my Midget.

Thanks guys!

Joe...Not sure if yellow is original but it was done right, engine compartment and interior plus undercoated and trunk sprayed.

Alan...Yes, Spicey is a good anti-theft system for sure!

Matt...We've had ours about three weeks and it does look similar to yours. I believe you have original paint though.

Mark

hey Mark,

I wish she did have original paint. My car was originally white. I found out by removing a lot of crud from the engine bay. Whoever did this paint job was pretty thourough though. I may go the usual route and paint it Green. I know, so cliche. lol

Matt...we thought about maybe a pearl but decided to stick with the yellow. That stands out quite nicely.

That Old English White is nice... with pearl over top too. Man... Yellow definitely grabs everyone's attention. White is easier to paint and gets less dirty looking. IMHO. The OEGreen will get dirty quickly I think, but I don't drive too much on dirt roads.

Mark, I've had both manuals and the Bentley is better. Simple thing though, since the Haynes is cheap to find on eBay, I'd get both. Getting two differing views on some of the repairs was valuable when working on my old '62.

I just picked up another copy of the Haynes and am looking for another Bentley manual myself. I just wish I held on the the ones I had years ago.

Alan

I think the best option is to get both. Thanks to all you guys for your input.
Now it's just a matter of rolling up my sleeves.

Nice car. Like the rest Haynes and Bentley. Both work together real good. Maurice

I have one other suggestion with the CD from the Heritage Motor Centre. It has all of the original Tech pubs, parts books, workshop manuals and owner handbooks. Moss and other places stock them. Problem is that it only runs on windoze XP or older operating system. And of course I have the other manuals also. I have referred to all three many times to get the understanding needed to preform a service operation or remember how it goes back together since I took it apart 2 years ago!

Good Luck! These cars are easy to work on and sooooo fun to drive!
Bruce

you can use the many on-line manuals that are out there.i will post the link when I find it,y I like the factory shop manual the best I was lucky enough to find one many yrs. back they are out there keep looking welcome to the sickness http://www.scribd.com/doc/12892811/MG-Midget-AH-Sprite-Workshop-Manual-1972

Bruce and Mark...thanks for the tips. Eventually I will have all the manuals I need to start working. This may very well be a "sickness" but a good sickness.