MG Midget Madness (i.e. It was either this or kill it with fire)

[GySgtFrank]

While I'm waiting for more funds to purchase pipe and flanges, I figured this was a good time to address some of my goofs and concerns. There was some concern about how close the exhaust pipe would be to the tank. Indeed it was a bit closer than I cared for as I had it. So I pulled the tank and bent the right side flange downward. This allowed me to move the tank over a little bit more to the right. I also massaged the left rear corner of the tank with a big rubber mallet. After re-fitting the tank, I found that probably wasn't necessary. The extra 3/4", or so, that I gained by moving the tank had given me plenty of room.


exhaust clearance - tank & spring 1 by Kevin Frank, on Flickr


exhaust clearance - tank & spring 2 by Kevin Frank, on Flickr


exhaust clearance - tank & spring 3 by Kevin Frank, on Flickr


I also used a half moon cut section of thick wall pipe to bridge the gap created when I had to trim my rear tank support. The tank was remounted so that the back flange of the tank sits up against the bottom of the support, instead of over the top of it. I did this because I am looking at putting in either a watts link or panhard rod. Getting the tank in and out would have been a problem the way I had it. There will be very little room left behind the differential so the stock emergency brake pedestal has to be moved/rethought to get a bar in there. From the little bit that I have been able to drive the car I could tell that it needs positive axle location badly.

[JL1RX7]

Gunny - How close are you getting to firing it up? It is looking good so far.

[GySgtFrank]

Originally Posted by JL1RX7

Gunny - How close are you getting to firing it up? It is looking good so far.

Still a ways out.

I have to finish the exhaust, run wiring, and close up/reinforce some of the body and frames mods I made. Oh yeah, a radiator and driveshaft would be nice as well.

I have to get things done in a certain order so that I don't cause myself more extra work than I do already with my little goofs. The exhaust is one of those things that has to get done first, so that it actually fits when I go to put it back together. I don't want to pull the engine and transmission again until that is in place, as it may affect fitment.

The harvest will be coming in anytime now. So once the corn dries enough to cut, I will have to go to work. I will lose two months or so of tinkering time when I get the call for that. The positive side is that I should have the money to buy the bits that I can't build myself.