1960 Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite transformed! Modern reliability for the classic British sports car!

[@malcolmlindley4465]

Seeing the exhaust manifold clamp reminded me of the many hours I spent trying to seal mine every week - because that’s about how long each refit lasted before it blew again! And it wasn’t particularly easy to get at because of the heat shield between it and the carbs.

[@davidburman451]

So true...had many Midgets back in the Day..just picked up an original one owner /74 sitting for 15 years in a garage so it needs work it's all there and thankfully never been molested. Those exhaust manifolds were a constant source of grief. I would jack my car then position a block under the pipe and very GENTLY lower it down to seat the pipe firmly then install a new clamp...has to be new nearly every time. I do seem to recall that the 1275 exhaust manifold although the same design is a bit more robust at the flange...I could be wrong it was a long time ago..1970's.

[@rovercoupe7104]

Yet another fascinating video. Thank you. M.

[@ryanfil1927]

Hello, thank you for the information you supply us with. Respect. Do you have any video on how to replace the glass of a sprite hard top? I have one trying to replace it and I’m clueless Appreciate it

[@MG1949]

I had a U.K. spec mark one and it had a single 11/4” SU carb not twins

[@mazdaman1286]

Not really any where standard. Just go out and buy a Miata. I loved mine for all its quirks. Once sorted over a winter gave loads of pleasure in the summer at a leisurely rate. Always atracted conversations and waves from passersby. Great to tinker with and learn. Unreliability ? No , no more than anything else in the era . As for the prince of darkness , put together properly the first time , it never let me down , it just worked.

[@rogerking7258]

So if you're using a larger capacity cylinder head, how are you recovering your compression ratio? Taller pistons? Face the block? Face the head? Thinner head gasket? Sorry, I have extensive competition experience with Ford BDAs and Twincams, but have only ever built one A-series in 45 years.

[@cdjhyoung]

I had a 73 1/2 Midget. It sure could have benefited from an electronic ignition system. Any chance of rain, that car stayed home. Question: The heads on the A35 engines were great for the tractor use they were designed for. Did anyone in era produce a replacement head that offered individual ports to each cylinder and better port routing? With as many of these engines that were made, and how much hotrodding that was applied to them, a better head seems like an obvious after market part.

[@bugeyeguydotcom]

the best option always seems to come back to the 1275. We have tried a crossflow head, but but can't say it was a dramatic improvement.

[@user-ts1fp4nm9y]

When you sell the car ,do you include the original parts in the sale?

[@roselh1]

Why no heat shield for the HS2s and I am used to a wider insulation block between the carbs and inlet manifold?

[@bugeyeguydotcom]

There is a heat shield that comes with the kits that works fine, it has some material cut away to help fit headers.

[@jbibbles]

Great video - I have a 948 with H1 carbs and keen to swap to HS2’s. Can HS2’s bolt straight to existing H1 intake manifold or would I need to upgrade manifold too? Greetings from London!

[@bugeyeguydotcom]

Thank you! You'll need a new or used HS2 intake manifold to swap. We sell the whole kit, manifold, heat shield and new carbs, in our parts catalog.

[@herschelmayo2727]

Chuck the SUs totally. Get a Weber.

[@jadams3427]

I had a '73 Midget. A friend had a Ford Escort 1100 Estate, that was much better to drive, and quicker. It was also extremely easy to service. Another friend has a Frogeye with a 1098 head, and sounds great, it is really unlike a proper A series engine. It does not burn oil, and it does not leak oil ! 'Very odd !

[@dennispetherbridge6910]

It's a frog eye so start again