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MG Midget and Sprite General - Newby general query?

Hi All,
Just got my all time dream car( mk iii midget).
Can I ask a couple of silly newby questions?
My car is a GAN 5 1275 but doesn't have hazard lights or an alternator - is that "right"? it was first reg may 1972.
I dont plan to drive it much at night but is the alternator conversion a good idea- if it is, should I assume my car is essentially a GAN 4 and use the alternator conversion kit that Moss ( for example ) knock out for the GAN 4 ?
My car is beautiful red- may 1972 1275 would that make it flame red?
Thanks to all who read / respond to me- can't wait to get the old girl thru her MOT then the open road- YAY!!
Cheers
colin
c frowen

no clue about the specifics but welcome to possibly the most helpful and (more often than not) friendly forums around!

someone will be along in a minute with an answer.

Malcolm
Malcolm Le Chevalier

Hi Colin,
well done on getting your dream car

no hazards or alternator on an early '72 car

you don't need an alternator but you always need a good battery in good condition, also battery leads, starter lead, earths, all wiring and connections need to be in good condition - clean, secure and protected

if you buy yourself a copy of the owner's Handbook and read it you'll know more than some long term owners and if you follow the srevicing schedule in that booklet you'll keep your car in good condition

do a 36,000-mile service as soon as you can, in stages if required, and drive the car regularly and you'll get it to be very reliable and fun

owner's Handbook, (Ref: 0057) - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue_Handbooks_5.html

Nigel At

Colin. Welcome to dream car heaven. The owner's handbook is indeed, as Nigel is always telling us,(No offence Nige) a very good publication with lots of good information in it, how to correctly fold the hood to put it down etc, sound trivial, but you will make a right mess of your hood if you keep doing it wrong on a mk3. So well worth getting. Make sure you get the one specific to your model.
I changed my car from dynamo(pos earth) to alternator(neg earth) and it is so much better in every way, especially when it's cold at night in the rain . It would be difficult to explain on here, but if you Google "MGA with attitude" you'll find a detailed explanation of how to do it. There will be others along soon with more wisdom than I can offer. Hope this helps.

Bernie.
b higginson

beware that your car should be / is negative earth already, even tho' it still has a dynamo.
David Smith

cheers Bernie, the owners Handbook is full of loads of useful and necessary information

another one of my 'gems' of advice to new owners is -

'don't do any cosmetic or improvement work for at least 12 months of regular use, unless you need to replace parts or components, as you may need to use the money elsewhere on the car'

that is get used to the car as it is (after full and proper serviceng of course :) ) as you'll probably need that money for unexpected repairs or replacements
Nigel At

Listen to the advice above

Fit an alternator.
Drive it befor you do mods.
DON'T BUY FROM MOSS.

There are plenty of cheaper/better suppliers around.

For the std parts MGOC is a good supplier (it IMO is not a club!)
and magicmidget petermay and several other suppliers are good for the go faster things.
Do not forget we share the engine with the mini so minispares and othe mini shops come in handy as well.

welcome and have fun!
Onno Könemann

Colin,

Welcome, for this side of the pond. Agree with most advise given, but we still have a dynamo in our MK-III/GAN-4 with no issues. If you add electrical load beyond standard an alternator may of benefit as many have commented, but still, the more you drive those changes will become apparent.

I would further recommend joining a local club (your choice) for what may interest you. Some enjoy driving events, some like shows. Here with our club we also have technical sessions, usually during the winter months for all to attend and learn. Good stuff.

Regards,

Larry C.
Larry C '69 Midget

Welcome Colin - Email me at membership@midgetandspriteclub.co.uk with your address and I will send you foc a copy of the Midget and Sprite Club magazine MASCOT

The best book for detail about Spridgets is the recently republished "Original Sprite And Midget" by Terry Horler - All you will ever need to know about these cars

Regards John Platt
John M Platt

Hi Colin

Welcome! I still have the dynamo on my 72 Midget and have had no problems. A battery conditioner might be useful in the winter months if you are not driving it very much. I can see where an alternator might be useful if you drive a lot with the lights on or have other electrical gubbins fitted but for mostly daytime use the dynamo is fine.

Cheers,

Tony
TonyJH

If it's the original paint, bright red was indeed Flame. If it is damson/maroon, it would be Damask.
If it isn't original paint, it could be anything.
Dave O'Neill 2

Colin, the alternator and hazards became available on the later 1974 1275s. Horlers book gives the full details.
HALL JOHN

Nigel - you hinted at a 36000 mile service. What would that entail exactly then? (LOL)
Dave Price

Hi
Thanks to all for the good advice I shall work my way through it & hope to see you on the road( but BEHIND me!!)- as an ex miniman, its nice to continue have such support
Cheers all
Colin
c frowen

Dave. Stoppit! Don't get him started.

Bernie.
b higginson

Hi Colin

Re Alternator

Yes your car will have a dynamo and as pointed out by David will already be negative earth

If you want to change to alternator please email me and I will send you details of exactly how to do that on your specific car using a second hand alternator from a breakers yard or whatever. A couple of years ago I did an article for the MGCC that described in detail each model and different ways to do the mods required.

That said I ran my car for over 20 years with a dynamo without problems and only chaged it to have pictures for my article. Your car should have the RB 340 regulator box which is quite rare on our cars.

rjwelchmidget"at"aol.com

obviously change the "at" for @
Bob Turbo Midget England

Colin,
if you want more of my style of info just contact me for a Zip file of general advice to new owners

nigel atkins (one word) at bt internet (one word) dot com

not to put a downer on things (although that is my style) remember to have an MOT pass as a very minimum standard -
MOT doesn't mean the car is in good condition, fully and properly serviced or efficient - things wear and brake and malfunction all the time so need regular checking and servicing - grease the front suspension just before an MOT to prevent comments of “play”

the MOT only means the car passed a minimum standard to one person's judgement at that particular time on that particular day

cheerful, me?

Dave,
you'd have to look in the owners Handbook :)
Nigel At

This thread was discussed between 28/09/2011 and 29/09/2011

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