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

[GySgtFrank]

Originally Posted by speedjunkie

^I hate when that happens. One little thing takes forever and you feel like you got nothing done. Not quite infuriating, more annoying I think.

It did annoy me. Especially when I had to wait for parts, and then they wouldn't work.

[speedjunkie]

Originally Posted by GySgtFrank

It did annoy me. Especially when I had to wait for parts, and then they wouldn't work.

Now THAT is infuriating, for me anyway.

[GySgtFrank]

in the interest of full disclosure ... oops!

oops by Kevin Frank, on Flickr


Routing the pipe down and back I found that I had goofed. The cross bar supporting the back of the fuel tank was in the way of the radius on the top exhaust pipe. I could have just run it lower, but then the pipes would be a lot further down than I wanted. Solution: break out the cut off wheel and trim that out of the way. I will need to remove the tank again and put an L shaped piece in there after I get the rest of the exhaust run back between the tank and the rear spring. Always some niggling little thing to brighten the day.

[chibikougan]

Ya big goof!

[GySgtFrank]

Rear pipe section done connecting the muffler to the axle portion of the exhaust system.


rear muffler connector pipe by Kevin Frank, on Flickr


bolted in:


rear muffler connector pipe - installed 3 by Kevin Frank, on Flickr


rear muffler connector pipe - installed 2 by Kevin Frank, on Flickr


rear muffler connector pipe - installed 1 by Kevin Frank, on Flickr

[GySgtFrank]

Some shots of the exterior view for those of you wondering how far it sticks out below the car.


rear muffler connector pipe - exterior 2 by Kevin Frank, on Flickr


rear muffler connector pipe - exterior 1 by Kevin Frank, on Flickr

[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.

[GySgtFrank]

While waiting for funds to buy more exhaust parts I have been trying to get a few minor things done. I haven't accomplished a whole lot, but I did manage to finish fabricating and installing the muffler box heat vents. These replaced the back up lights in the rear panel.


heat vents 1 by Kevin Frank, on Flickr


heat vents 2 by Kevin Frank, on Flickr


The focus on the first picture wasn't very good, but you get the idea.

[GySgtFrank]

Done with work, so back to the car. Ordered exhaust parts from Racing Beat and am in search of perforated SS tubing to build a couple of mufflers. Also in need of an S4 wiring harness which I have not been able to find as of yet.

[RXtacy]

http://www.amazon.com/LA-Choppers-Pe.../dp/B0041CAFXK

[GySgtFrank]

Originally Posted by RXtacy

http://www.amazon.com/LA-Choppers-Pe.../dp/B0041CAFXK

Thanks, that was one of the suppliers that I was looking at. It comes in 24" cut lengths. I was hoping for something longer, but it would work in a pinch. Most of the manufacturers are in China, no surprise there, but shipping nixes small quantities from there. There is also a manufacturer in MI that I was going to call today.

:edit: I went ahead and ordered through them on their website. They offer 4 ft lengths as well as the 2 ft. It isn't exactly what I wanted as it is only 22ga. instead of 16 ga. and it doesn't say whether it is welded or the sure lock tubing. We'll find out when it gets here I guess. Either way I'll make it work.

[FC Zach]

Looking forward to seeing this little car, this thing should be a hoot to drive!

[GySgtFrank]

Originally Posted by FC Zach

Looking forward to seeing this little car, this thing should be a hoot to drive!

I'm thinking it should be Zach. I always thought the rotary and the lightweight Midget body would be the perfect match. Pushing hard to have this one at DGRR. My track record for getting a car there is less than admirable though.