Clutch Release Bearing and Fork

Post by **tds** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 2:51 am

Hi Everybody,
About to attempt a hydraulic clutch conversion with a midget ribbed gearbox to my 948cc convertible (1961). I have a 1098 flywheel and clutch in my parts bin. My question...is the release bearing and fork arm from the midget the same as the Moggie? I have the midget fork arm but no release bearing.

Post by **Kevin** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 9:32 am

1st things first what size engine did the MG gearbox come from, also the Midget clutch is nomally a size smaller than the Morris one, in the case of the 1275cc engine I think its 6 1/2" compared to 7 1/4" also the flywheels are different sizes, also I am not sure what else needs changing when fitted to a 948cc engine and which flywheel / clutch combination to use.

Post by **tds** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 6:00 pm

Kevin,
thanks for the questions...all good. I picked up the box at british car parts swap meet here in Oregon. The seller had no idea of the Midget/Sprite vehicle but...the box is almost identical in the guts to my Morris smooth case box. So i assumed it is the early spridget. the input shaft to the box matches the Morris 1098 clutch disc just fine. So I think I'm OK there.
Of course from a spridget it has hydraulic clutch and that means the relase fork pokes out the RHS of the box, NOT lhs for my mechanical clutch. hence I plan the upgrade to hydraulic clutch. But the release arm fork is my unknown.

Seems to make sense to go big clutch from 1098 the correct flywheel mated to my 948cc??

Post by **gcb** » Sat Jul 24, 2004 1:36 am

A simple answer for you - the fork arms are different, the midget has more "curve" to contact the flatter midget clutch which is a diphragm type, unlike the moggie one which is spring. With your engine you will have to fit the moggie clutch so you will need a moggie arm. I have one if you are desperate, but not sure about getting it to you!

Post by **tds** » Sat Jul 24, 2004 6:00 pm

Many thanks gcb
I do have Moggie LHD release forks from a smooth case box. But never owned a ribbed box. Do you know if they are the same?
Many thanks for the offer I'am visting family in Brum during Mid-August. i suppose I have to check if the pivot on the front cover of my midget box is Ok for a moggie arm.

Trevor

Post by **tds** » Sun Jul 25, 2004 1:52 am

Well, checked dims on midget arm and front cover with the morris smooth case and their all different. MOWOG made subtle differences which I never spotted. I noted:
1. The curve on the fork arm is more for the morris than midget
2. The pivot point is further out from 1st motion shaft on midget
3. Front cover differences, 3 of 5 studs in different places and pivot is higher from face of box.
So
If my midget box , 22G121, fits only the midget front cover, 22G18, I have to use the midget fork arm,GA15?, and thus release bearing for a hydraulic clutch conversion.

Can anyone tell me if the release bearing postion means I MUST use a midget diaphram clutch on the flywheel? Then what flywheel does the midget clutch fit? My 948 flywheel or 1098 flywheel.
Thanks in advance.
Trevor

Post by **Matt** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 9:54 pm

Well spridgets used 3 different sized a series.... and presumably all the boxes are slightly different..... Have you got a place by the gear stick to screw a reversing light switch in?

Post by **tds** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 4:09 am

Matt,
Sorry late repsonding..been out of town.
In all respects the remote housing looks identical to the smooth morris case . It has number 2A3411
Does this help?

Trevor

Morris Minor Owners Club

Clutch Release Bearing and Fork

Clutch Release Bearing and Fork

Not sure on Midget engine

Morris vs Midget Clutch arm + the rest

The answer for Matt