Battery keeps draining

[Bonkie]

I have just removed the old engine from a 2 door 1959 moggie and replaced with a mg 1400 spitfire engine and the car drives fine but the battery keeps draining even when driving it fills like it wants to cut out any ideas

[beero]

Do you have a battery or alternator?
Is the ignition light working, that is, coming on with the ignition and going out when the engine is running?
And do you have a multimeter to test the voltage at the battery when it is running?

[mike.perry]

I hope that you have uprated the brakes

[Bonkie]

Car has a battery and dynamo ignition light comes on and flicks on and off when running

[beero]

The ignition light should only flicker during tickover.
If it comes on at any other time you have a problem. Have you checked the fanbelt for tightness or the dynamo brushes? You didn't say if you have a meter.

[bmcecosse]

MG 1400 Spitfire ? New one on me ! But as above - if the fan belt is good and tight - brushes in the dynamo are worn out.

[kennatt]

and me

[Neil MG]

I have just removed the old engine from a 2 door 1959 moggie and replaced with a mg 1400 spitfire engine and the car drives fine but the battery keeps draining even when driving it fills like it wants to cut out any ideas

Reason for confusion is that no two of the three words (let alone all three) match together "mg 1400 spitfire". However, if you mean the 1500 engine that was used in the Spitfire and the MG Midget then it makes sense. Not sure it makes a good alternative to the A series, but that's another discussion. The problem with the battery is due to the alternator incorrectly wired or not working (eg worn brushes). The engine wanting to cut out while driving might or might not be connected to the charging problem. Check all the connections first and make sure the alternator is wired up correctly.

[Sandun]

1 st You need the full charge the battery - then measure voltage using digital multimeter ( 12.3v - 12.5v or more ) then use battery Hydro meeter check all Shall of the battery is it ok ? fine - then you 15 minute run your car - not must battery Draining if not a problem dynamo or voltage regular - your Ampere meeter show you the dynamo work or not

[bmcecosse]

[Bonkie]

Thanks for all your help just to clear the confusion the engine is a 1300 MG GT

[bmcecosse]

Hmmm 1300 MG GT engine would be a front wheel drive engine........ Let's all hope it's a 1275 MG Midget engine........

[kennatt]

yes probably midget,if you havent got a meter then at night face the car towards a wall and put head light on full beam on tickover then rev the engine you should see the light get considerably brighter.If not go to a reputed garge and get them to check battery and dynamo output.