Help identifying Hif44 inlet manifold

[bluegrass]

Hi. I have bought an mg midget 1275 engine and have had included an hif44 from another car.
It has a rather unusual inlet manifold as shown in the pics. Does anyone have any idea
what it is ?
Thanks for any help.[frame][/frame]

[bmcecosse]

Very odd - but perhaps that's how it was used in the Maestro? Or was there an A series Montego?

[bluegrass]

Yes you could be right there.....I've never seen that before. I do have an mg metro one to replace it.

[bluegrass]

Here is a maestro 1.3 inlet manifold image i just found on the internet. It may be the same.[frame][/frame]

[bmcecosse]

Indeed - but what long branches you have there! Can't see that being ideal .....

[bluegrass]

No exactly. I was happy for the hif44 though. Saves me having to find one. The engine came from a good condition midget that was written off. The clutch looks like new apparently, and it has a lightened flywheel. It will be interesting to see how it goes.[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

[bmcecosse]

Indeed - flywheel doesn't look 'lightened' there...

[bluegrass]

Ok, Its good having someone around who knows what they are doing. The seller mentioned this: "looks like a lightened flywheel as when you run your fingers between the back plate and flywheel you can feel it has been machined and isn't just a full thickness one"

Too be honest I'm happy with a stock engine....just very intertested to see how it goes compared to a stock 1098.
I do have a big valve head, mg cam etc if needed, but i'll run as is for a while with a 3.7 diff.

[philthehill]

Unless you can weigh the flywheel against a known standard flywheel you should assume the flywheel has not been machined.
The rear of the flywheel is concave as standard:
Here is a standard flywheel for comparison.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MG-MIDGET-AUS ... SwuAVWt2Zs

Reference the inlet manifold - it is from a 1.3 Maestro.

Phil

[bluegrass]

Thanks for that Phil. I think its safer then to assume its a stock engine. As long as it goes, i'll be happy.

[bmcecosse]

If I was lightening that fly I would be concentrating on removing the metal at the greatest radius from the centre - to minimise the moment of inertia - certainly did so on a good few Mini flys! So that heavy 'meaty' edge we can see hasn't been touched... I suppose it's possible it has been machined away on the inside - although I think that would perhaps weaken the support for the ring gear. Anyway - all will be revealed when you start to take it apart!

[bluegrass]

Yes, to be honest i don't really know much about tuning...I do have a recently aquired big valve 940 head, so i may fit that depending on whats on the engine already, an mg metro cam if i'm brave enough to take the engine apart, mg metro inlet manifold, marina exhaust manifold, and the hif44. I'm not looking to go too far. If i can get that lot fitted ok with some local help, i'll be happy.
I do still need a 'quiet' air filter though. I can't seem to find an mg metro one anywhere at the moment.

[bmcecosse]

I've wondered if the Spridget engines came with big valve head - please let us know when you open it up! I think only MG Metro (early leaded ones)/Cooper S (again only earlier leaded versions with the closed camfollower block)/ the 1275 Maestro engine (leaded version) and the MG 1300 engine - and it's 'Austin America' cousin (not the Clubman 1275GT). Leyland never fitted the big inlet valve when there was an unleaded exhaust valve seat - they considered there wasn't enough room to ensure the head wouldn't crack between the seats. Good luck finding an MG Metro cam (although also fitted to the Maestro 1275 engine) and don't be sold an MG Turbo cam - it's just the ordinary 1275 cam.

[bluegrass]

Yes i'll certainly keep you posted. I assumed not, but will be very interested to find out.

[philthehill]

[frame][/frame]

Inlet valve.............1 5/16" dia.
Exhaust valve .........1 5/32" dia.

Phil

[bmcecosse]

The smog head had the larger inlet valve - I had one for a while .Different casting 12G 1316 I think.