r/littlebritishcars

Seems like pickups are always ruining the vibe

I posted a couple weeks ago about an ornery alternator bolt that was being blocked by my distributor. Some folks here said that the best solution was to loosen and rotate my distributor, back the bolt out, and return the distributor to its original position.

That went without a hitch, I'm very grateful for the advice. However, before that I attempted to disassemble the distributor just enough to remove the vacuum advance, which turned out to be impossible.

Anyway, in putting it back together, I believe I did not replace the pictured part correctly. I'm trying to understand what this part is, and how it should be calibrated.

I've never worked with a distributor before, so I initially thought this was related to the points, but now I'm suspecting that the distributor may have been converted to an electronic ignition as this part does not show up on any diagrams I can find.

If anyone can help me understand what I'm missing here, that would be greatly appreciated.

Update: We have a spark! The timing is shot, but at least we have a spark. Thank you for your help all those who answered!

Update 2: I couldn't find much info about setting the optical sensor in the correct position, but with a little intuition I managed to eyeball the timing. Case closed!

Original Post

What better way to celebrate the 4th of July than by buying a British sports car! This little GT6 followed me home over the weekend, despite barely fitting in the Uhaul. I always wanted one of these, and almost bought one about 15 years ago that wound up needing more work than I was willing to put into it at the time. I wound up buying a FJ40 Land Cruiser instead. While I don’t regret the Toyota, I’ve always casually had an eye out for another GT6, so when this one popped up an hour away, I had to go take a look…

It’s definitely at a bit of a crossroads - the body was restored in the 90’s but the frame, while solid, needs help. It needs a tune-up, idles at about 1400rpm and overheats in about 10 minutes, diesels on shutdown. Everything leaks. Interior is so/so but generally speaking it’s fairly complete.

Now I just need to clear out some space in the garage, get it out of the weather and start getting it sorted out!

The AC Ace has to be one of the prettiest shapes ever constructed. Love this car.

Looking for a source for a 1972 MG Midget Badge Plinth, like shown in the picture. Moss says unavailable. Thanks!

https://imgur.com/a/xz1nK1T

I tried to post this yesterday, but Imgur was having issues...

Went off to England for a few weeks. I scheduled slots in our itinerary for visits to the British Motor Museum in Gaydon and the MG Car Club in Abingdon.

The BMM in Gaydon is definitely worth a visit if you're into the history of LBCs and their larger cousins. There was a nicely restored MGB GT in the lot as we walked in. That was a good sign. Lots of cars from all marques, including several famous ones (e.g. QEII's well-used Range Rover). The museum was having a meetup of Aston Martin owners in the parking lot, so there were plenty of extra things to look at. Some done up Bond-style with prop rocket launchers and machine guns.

There is trick photo in there, for those of you hoopy froods that know where your towels are. Also, one of the sign of a pub that existed for years in Abingdon until they changed the name.

The next day, we stopped at the MG Car Club in Abingdon. It's off the beaten path, so definitely suggest to call ahead if you want to visit. There isn't a lot to see, to be honest, but it's a fun 30-minute stop. What was once one of the factory buildings is next door and converted into apartments. Andy from the MGCC gave a short tour and diplomatically explained that they are there for all MG owners, not just those made in Abingdon. Sadly, we were in town on a Monday, so the County Hall Museum was not open.

Slightly off-topic, but the day we went to Kenilworth castle, there was a meeting of Alvis owners on the castle grounds. I had never heard of the marque before, but they were beautiful. I included a shot of one of the cars, but I have more, if there is interest. They're not exactly "little" British cars, but no larger than a TD or Magnette.

Hey y'all,

I found great help here on my exhaust question and hopefully can get help finalizing my engine rebuild parts list.

This is my list from minispares, which isn't a finalized list of all parts. I still need oils/lube, clutch kit, thermostat studs and elbow, manifold studs, new nuts/bolts/washers, and radiator/fan/hoses.

I will go over my list with the machine shop that will be doing the work, but wanted you hear y'all's insights.

I am pretty sure I want to stick with the 10:1 pistons and 276 cam.

Are the 1.5 rockers worth it? I dont plan on any head work. Is clearance an.issuenwith 1.5 rockers and HC pistons? Will the below valve cover work if I use a silicone gasket?

I think I have been talked out of a lightweight flywheel. I had both the ultralight steel and the aluminum one in my basket multiple times, but not sure if it is worth it.

Thoughts?

Pistons 

https://www.minispares.com/p21253-00-1275-std-bore-piston-10-1cr-single

10:1 compression and will require premium gas. 

*pick size after shop measures/hones

Rings 

https://www.minispares.com/r41570-00-piston-ring-set-for-21253-piston

*Match piston size

Camshaft 

https://www.minispares.com/evolution002-camshaft-1275-1380-a-plus

276*

Camshaft Tappets 

https://www.minispares.com/c-aeg580-cam-follower-hi-grade-tappet-set-of-8

1.5 rockers 

https://www.minispares.com/c-aht436-rocker-assembly-1-5-hi-lift-forged-rocker

Valve Guides

https://www.minisport.com/c-ajj4037-bronze-valve-guides-competition-set-of-8.html

Bronze

HD Push rods https://www.minispares.com/c-aeg582-1275cc-push-rod-performance

Stud Kit https://www.minispares.com/c-aht280-competition-head-stud-and-nut-kit

Timing set https://www.minispares.com/simplex-evo-steel-simplex-timing-chain-with-with-iwis-chain

Tri-metal connecting rod bearings https://www.minispares.com/aeb91306-00-big-ends-set-standard-1275-except-cooper-s

*Match what shop recommends

Main Crankshaft bearings https://www.minispares.com/c-aem91120-00-mains-set-standard-pre-a-plus-early-a-1275-acl-race

*match what shop recommends

Thrust washers https://www.minispares.com/aew2136-crank-thrust-washer-set-1275-standard

*match what shop recommends

Cam bearings https://www.minispares.com/acl3063-cam-liner-set-1275

*match what shop recommends

Oil pump https://www.minispares.com/glp141-oil-pump-spider-drive-2-bolt-1275-pre-a

Gasket set https://www.minispares.com/gug701614cs-engine-block-upgraded-gasket-set-all-mini

Head gasket kit https://www.minispares.com/ajm1141ms-head-gasket-set-with-geg300-copper-head-gasket-1275cc

Exhaust

https://www.minispares.com/rc40-011-rc40-rear-box-mild-steel-centre-exit-standard-bore

Spotted in my local EV shop: "Powered by an 8 bhp (6 kW) electric motor and lead-acid batteries, the car has a top speed of around 48 mph (77 km/h) and a range of around 40 miles (64 km)"

ext door handle delete, wiper delete, bumper delete, antenna delete, fuel filler delete. The car was an absolute junker when I got it for $250. Took a year. Paint is Toyota Forevergreen Mica.

How do these do driving longer distances? Like 80 km 1 way. Or just bump around town? It doesn't look like it gets much air flow.

Gilbern started making kit cars in 1959 with BMC mechanicals known as the Gilbern GT, and then graduated to fully-built cars like the Gilbern Genie, which had some MGB underpinnings and a much more powerful Essex V6 stuffed into the engine bay. This transmogrified into the Gilbern Invader, which is basically a wider, lower, and upgraded Genie with a few styling tweaks thrown in to keep the customers coming back. In any event, it worked, and the Invader looked a treat.

Of course, what would any self-respecting UK-based automobile company be without a shooting brake in their lineup?