1275 midget conversion

Post by **kmitchell** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 7:02 pm

I am fitting a midget 1275 engine to my traveller, the only problem I have is mating the thermostat housing ot the radiator.

Is there a suitable thermostat housing and from what car, or do I have to change the radiator?

Post by **Peetee** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 7:34 pm

The problem is that the studs that hold the housing are rotated relative to the studs on a Minor head. I believe that the housing from an 1800 Marina will do the trick. Having said that I have used a convoluted hose with the 'wrong' set up for 6 mounths now without problems.

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 8:10 pm

the only problem I have is mating the thermostat housing ot the radiator.

Well plenty of them are fitted with the standard top hose but its alignment does not look to great but there are 2 alternative housings that are still not perfect but get much better alignment these are from the Marina 1800cc and the good old landcrab Austin or Morris 1800, but as you can imagine both are very thin on the ground but if you wish to pay out for a new one they are reproduced by Earlpart but I think they want £25 for them as they are only small batch runs.
And no dont bother with changing the radiator as it will work fine even with the slightly distorted top hose.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 10:50 pm

Just use a slightly longer top hose - or one with a bend in it.

Post by **edjones** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 10:19 am

Something like this housing? It allows use of standard hose.

Can't remember what car it was from just now, but it was bought from Moss and wasn't dear.

Will see if I can find the bill.

FYI 1968 1275cc Midget engine in 1966 Minor, standard radiator.

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 4:46 pm

That sounds hopeful I didnt think any of the MG ones were suitable, please prove me wrong and let us know what its from.

Post by **dunketh** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 5:17 pm

I just used a standard mog one from my old 1098cc engine. Fits fine, but you do need spacers as the studs are a lot longer than the 1098cc ones.
I used old bolts as spacers on mine!

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 7:32 pm

I used old bolts as spacers on mine!

How does that work.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 8:29 pm

Is there a suitable thermostat housing

As already answered - B series 1800 (Marina etc..)
I got one second hand from a stall at the National rally (06)
I p £2 which seemed fair - I was going to barter for a lower price but I didn't have change anyway

I've paid £5 for them in the past as they are rare.
This tip on the MG/Moss part - sounds like a bonus

. There mst be a couple of hundred people would like one of those!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 10:08 pm

Still interested to hear about the 'bolt' spacers!! Far better to use the proper studs - or Allen cap screws as i have done. I picked up 2 thermo top housings new for 50p each - ran the drill through to open up the holes slightly - and it's fine on 12g940 head on 1098 block.

Post by **edjones** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 11:04 am

Here we go chaps/chapessess.

It is actually from an MGB 1800 engine.

The part number is 12H797 and it is available from Moss for £15.94 plus VAT. The gasket is part number GTG101 and costs £0.25 + VAT.

The parts are shown here (no.s 13 and 14):

http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/MossUK/Pro ... _DS003A3-A

Hope this helps

Post by **Kevin** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 6:59 pm

Well Ill Be its also from a `B` series engine I wonder if its the same as the Marina & 1800 ones as it looks almost perfect with even slightly better alignment, I will have to see how one compares to my spare Marina one, mark you I though you said it wasnt dear £18 is not exactly cheap but if it does the job that well and there must be loads of 2nd hand ones around as long as its pre 68 but the part number helps a great deal.

Post by **kmitchell** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 7:19 pm

Thanks everyone, as it happens we get the local MG garage to get welding and odd bits done for MOTs so I am sure that hey can help.

I might be back yet when I come to cable in the metro carb if I cant work it out when I get that far.

Thanks again

Post by **dunketh** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 1:50 pm

I used old bolts as spacers on mine!
How does that work.

Probably should have made that clearer.

I placed the Minor stat housing on the 1275 studs. Then I placed three exhaust bolts over the studs, then tightened the stud nuts down onto them.

The midget studs are longer and have a much larger unthreaded area so this is the only way you can tighten down onto the thermostat - without cutting the thread further down the stuf or replacing the studs with shorter minor-engine ones.

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 2:04 pm

I placed the Minor stat housing on the 1275 studs. Then I placed three exhaust bolts over the studs, then tightened the stud nuts down onto them.

Still cant get to grips with this solution.
Do you mean you placed larger sized nuts in this case manifold nuts over the studs and then tightened down onto them as they covered the unthreaded section of the studs.
I didnt have this problem with my Midget engine so I guess they were either Moggie ones or were threaded further down the stud or maybe your studs were in upside down as I didnt think the midget housing was much thicker at all.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 10:38 pm

It's obviously either nuts or washers - not 'bolts'. Doesn't sound too elegant - but if it works !

Post by **dunketh** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 10:26 am

Yup, nuts, not bolts.. doh...

I didnt have this problem with my Midget engine so I guess they were either Moggie ones or were threaded further down the stud or maybe your studs were in upside down as I didnt think the midget housing was much thicker at all.

The midget housing I had was quite a lot thicker, although it was a 70's midget with a BL badged rocker cover... maybe it had suffered some parts-bin modification?

Post by **Kevin** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 3:59 pm

Thank goodness thats explained.

Post by **dunketh** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 5:02 pm

CLear as mud eh?

Post by **Kevin** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 2:24 pm

CLear as mud eh?

Or in your neck of the woods as clear as Cement