Round 4 - Barn Find Sprite #2 - Will It Drive?

[@shannonwittman950]

That engine sounded like it was "happy to be spinning over" once again. Seems like a car this wonderfully simple would be a great primer for any one who wanted to learn about golden age British cars -- which makes videos like yours doubly valuable. With elbow grease, a good polish and various sprays (and all electrics set right), I'll bet this car will be beautiful again! Thanks, Steve!

[@Rustbelt_Research]

Your videos are great because they're not sensationalized at all. I love working on old cars, and appreciate that you show it exactly how it actually is. Way more enjoyable to watch than some kind of flashy TV show.

[@2H80vids]

Yep, I don't miss all that bs; we've only got 'til tea-time to finish rebuilding this wreck, or we all die!! It's good to see Steve pulling used parts out of boxes, instead of throwing on loads of brand-new, bolt-on repro parts. He doesn't skimp on parts but he's not throwing money around either.

[@Rustbelt_Research]

@@2H80vidsAbsolutely. You can tell Steve knows the value of a dollar, but also the value of time.

[@2H80vids]

@@Rustbelt_Research Nicely put; that's pretty much what I was trying to say.😁

[@gavinwindbigler9119]

Great seeing the classics back on the road. My first car was a 62 sprite, wish I still had it

[@jamesgerard4505]

RE my comment on the XJ6 video: LOL, another memory from the Taos shop, about 1969. A young lady brought in a Sprite with a totally fried generator. Everything was bad. Field coils, armature, totalled. We priced a new Lucas generator - about $350/400 back then was a LOT of money for her. Told her we could mount a nice Dodge generator we happened to have. Need to change a bracket, add a spacer, and change the regulator. She was shocked, shocked. We assured her it would work just fine, just remember to tell future mechanics about the adaptation. She drove out with a working Dodge generator, and a happy Sprite. The whole job for about half the price of the Lucas part. Part of being a decent mechanic is to have an open mind. Allow all possibilities to be considered.

[@bohicajohnson7203]

I like the access hole for the starter motor bolt. The Discovery 2 needs one. Except it would let the water in!

[@stephenhenion8304]

You are an SU Wizard. ..... Barn Sprite #2 is in really nice shape. Under the bonnet looks almost factory! Thanks again Steve

[@lolsovs]

I really enjoy your videos... Basic and straight to the point, no fancy editing, no swearing to sound cool and no gimmics. Keep it up ! Also i subscribed !

[@frglee]

Another lovely little car happily returns to life. I'm sure it will give a lot of pleasure to a future owner, both on the road and in the workshop.

[@aussiewendelken7499]

Happy New year Steve absolutely love watching you doing all the British cars keep up the good work and the content love itx

[@arthurcunningham530]

Very simplistic car I love how they give you access to things. Of course back then they made a car that you can work on if you were the owner. Not so much now.

[@jamesgerard4505]

LOL Arthur, I'm an old mechanic. Cut my teeth on a 41 Chevy. My parents bought the car new at the factory for $900. Four door Special Deluxe. Great car. Could rebuild everything. When gas pumps got put in the gas tank I didn't believe it. I am gradually learning my way around car computers. Good grief. Sure, you can still work on your own car - if you know a lot more stuff.

[@bobstride6838]

i like the way you just get on and fix these cars, you make it look so simple

[@biffoswilly]

Good Job Steve

[@neville3151]

Many years ago i completely rebuilt a 1964 Austin Healy Sprite. A lot of work but it was the most fun car to drive....like a high class go cart.

[@robertshatto2995]

I had a midget ,maybe a 1973,,,I loved that tiny car,,,

[@oliverpetroski4205]

One of the cutest cars ever made. Perfect for city with beach where you can enjoy driving it.

[@regsparkes6507]

Thanks for this 'stroll down memory lane' for me at least. We had Austins, Mark II Sprite, Vauxhalls, and Humber Super Snipe, in our family, back in the day, here in eastern Canada. These videos hold my full attention, naturally, and now I'm glad I subscribed to your channel.

[@keystonekid7451]

Thanks Steve! My favorite series!!

[@SilverWedge]

I haven't seen a Sprite on the road in years. The British kept it simple.

[@daveshongkongchinachannel]

Love this series and amazed at how easy it is to get these cars back on the road after all these years.

[@mundanestuff]

So, love the time lapse, that's very helpful to me in my projects and I can pause to see details when I need them, thanks, Steve!

[@mceajc]

I am so envious that you have so much experience with cars, and how much confidence it has given you to just - go fix things! Great stuff, I hope I manage to learn some things just by watching.

[@robertmorin1454]

Loved the add on of providing before and after shots and the parts break down both parts you had from used and the new parts ! Great video! 👍🇨🇦

[@jamesoverbey5507]

I enjoy learning about old cars

[@jimwiskus8862]

Lovely job Steve!

[@JunkyardDigs]

They just keep comin! 😂😂

[@stevevisek7422]

These are great videos! Keep them coming. They inspire me to work on my own non-running collection of MGs.

[@JourneymanRandy]

Very good to see it running.

[@2H80vids]

Another running, driving classic Steve, well done. Happy New Year to you. Cheers for now, Dougie.

[@flemwad]

Great video. The steering wheel is on the wrong side though. I can't believe how simple the carbs look compared to webers.

[@magnusmcqueen4046]

Great video. As always, you get to the point show what's going on. Have changed my carbs to HS2 on my '59 Bugeye. Need to tune them yet

[@chirpy999]

Nice film Steve, what a great channel this is!

[@fepatton]

Love these videos! Haven't thought about Sprites and Midgets in years, but now you have me scouring the car trader sites.

[@gforcekaras]

Nicely done.

[@billcunningham8485]

Great video! Fun to see the process. Envious of your ultrasonic parts washer.

[@lyndonwortley6329]

You are really beginning to sound a lot more relaxed in this video. Cheers for the great content and taking the time to make and share these videos.

[@johnwren3976]

Should check the Brake and Clutch MC forks for wear at the pedal retaining pin. Soft metal that often wears oblong holes and gives excessive travel. Same with slave cyl fork.

[@BobSmith-rh5gv]

Hey thanks love the information on the bug eyes I’m try to restore one for my self I brought it disassembled in a box .

[@julianneale6128]

Absolutely love it, keep these vids coming?

[@eamonmchugh701]

Great video, very interesting

[@Rabblewitz]

I'm not a fan of the bugeye Sprite ... I prefer the later models ... but I do greatly enjoy watching you work on them!

[@garethgoodchild2643]

To avoid having to jack up the gearbox to get out the top bolt you can cut the top bolt hole in the slave into a slot so you only have to loosen the bolt rather than completely remove it.

[@jamesgerard4505]

Been there, huh? Nice mod. But how do you get the old one out?

[@garethgoodchild2643]

James, yes, you still have to remove the slave before you can install the modified one. Usually, it can be done without jacking up the engine but even when everything is as should be it is very difficult to install that top bolt so being able to leave it in place for the next time is very helpful. There is also a short pipe you can buy that attaches to the slave which brings the bleed nipple up into the engine bay for easy access. Where that slave cylinder lives is really difficult to get at.

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

Nice progress... those little carbs are adorable, lovely and clean now. It's good when you do a little recap on what's been done to the cars and what's coming. Also the overall presentation quality and style sem to have improved a bit since your lady associate got involved ?

[@danpatterson6937]

Another very interesting and workmanlike presentation, and thank you for not trying to sell something along the way. What is the story on where the Sprite was found, please?

[@billcunningham8485]

Hi Dan - there is a video posted in 2020 which can give you some insight on the barn find - six found together. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6GaoKhjrJZsqrs

[@Birdman1334]

Like these vids. Reminds me of my 62 Healy 3000 in the early 60's.

[@johndavey72]

Hi Steve . Another great video. All l need now is a Frog eye ! Their touching £20k over here now ! And you do get some off the wall questions .i.e. can you show me how to tune Weber carbs , are they the same ? ! Happy New Year . Take care and stay safe.

[@alfatasteless]

I'm converting my Alfetta to a Euro dual Dellorto DHLA 40 setup. Is it possible you can do a video on setting up those carbs or a carb similar to it?

[@peterknight4692]

Great to see you working on these cars, but the engines on sprites 1 and 2 seem to be running on about 2 and a half cyclinders.

[@thomaswykes3647]

Sounds like a bad air leak on the inlet manifold. I've seen these tick over like a little sewing machine so lots of potential fun/tinkering left to do.

[@swissyodelbear]

OMG...the very first love of my life, a FrogEye ...sigh,swoon,drool.....big tears....

[@andrewbuckley5048]

If memory serves, these early SU carbs had fixed needles (held in by a slotted screw) also the sliding main jet/choke sleeve requires centering when piston/dash pots are fitted..? I am not saying you didn't carry out this procedure, only that you neither mentioned or showed it in this video. It is a crucial step to attain a smooth balanced transition when returning to idle. Hope this is of interest/informative. Regards AndyPCR

[@graemelliott3942]

Great Video Steve! Did you Watch Cheftush start his TR250? Also what solution do u use in your ultrasonic cleaner?

[@dwightcarlson7136]

Did you do a follow up re the MG TD engine which had the broken rod?

[@jeffreylucas3899]

well described and easy to follow. lovely little farm tractor there (kidding). do you ever share you initial cost for the cars?

[@batterymakermarkii2654]

01:30 watching this without any audio. Is it my imagination or did you pull out the clutch and brake pedals all in one piece? If so, that is some rather clever engineering

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

That is exactly what happened.

[@michaelburns1212]

Steve, l once had trouble starting a car that had been standing for years. It turned out that the gas (or petrol as we call it in the UK) had lost it's volatility. Prior to attempting to start these cars not run for years do you drain and refill the gas tanks with fresh gas?

[@markmichlewicz5141]

Where do you get parts for all these cars?not that I'll ever get to work on anything like that but was just wondering because i have trouble getting parts for 2020 American models.

[@caseytailfly]

Parts are readily available for many of these old British cars. These were popular and share many parts with MG midgets of the same era. Moss motors is one place for parts in the US.

[@TERRYB0688]

What knowledge you have on old British cars, had a 1966 998cc midget when I was 17 and I'm now 68

[@johndavey72]

Terry l was 18 when l had mine and l'm 68 next week! Terry, it was 1098 c.c 😊

[@TERRYB0688]

John Davey aye I'm thinking of a Mini Cooper I had

[@buzzchase85]

How do you purchase one of the Sprites?

[@clarkadams9845]

When you sell these cars I'd like to know! Bug-eyed Sprites are a dream car for me.

[@robertstanley3253]

Save one for me too please.

[@vayabroder729]

Cool little car; the exhaust sounds a little ratty; it it in good condition or does it need replacing? Great candidate for a resto.

[@kenwilson2315]

Nice job. I admire that your knowledge is so wide ranging. Anything new with the XJ6? Waiting with great anticipation.

[@colski222]

Oh yeah I want ya to buy 100 of those sprites, and just keep going. I will be a professional after a few more videos. 👍👍👍

[@Dino.808]

Yes, more videos like this.

[@richardhalliday159]

Marvellous

[@paulkile9998]

Even with the addition of the exhaust system, still sounds like you have a leak. There may also be a weak cylinder. Have you done a compression test on that engine?

[@boldorboy08]

I thought that too. Doesn’t sound quite right? Love your videos.

[@jesterr7133]

You mentioned using a 7/16 socket in this video.I'm certainly no expert on these cars, but they were made in the UK as I understand it. Wouldn't everything be metric?

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

The UK did not build cars in Metric until about 1975 and many parts that were carried over from previous years were still in Standard or British Standard Whitworth.

[@bcgrittner]

Enjoyed the video. Is that engine running on all four?

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

Until the ignition is replaced the spark will not be relatable and the longer it runs the better the compression will get.

[@southpawgarage4718]

Was thinking the same. That or an exhaust leak that made it sound like an VW bug engine. I have a Mk3 Spitfire and it definitely doesn't sound that "choppy". But Steve's explanation definitely make sense.

[@spurgear4]

Nice

[@billoc1255]

I recently subscribed and have watched a bunch, including the shop tour. Is there a video of how you got into cars or your history with them. You're an impressive young man !!

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

Not yet I am planning on making that video!

[@billoc1255]

@@ThisWeekWithCars thanks so much. I really enjoy your channel !

[@JohnC5]

is it the same engine as in the Mini? It somehow looks familiar to me

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

Yes basically the same engine as the Mini except the gearbox bolts on as the oil pan on the FWD version.

[@robertjordan3270]

I would like to find out how to purchase cars from you

[@KiwiStag74]

It's great to see the progress on this little car, Steve. Love the sounds of the small A-series engines, although I cannot recall whether the Bug-Eye had a 948 or a 1098 (something tells me it's the smaller of the two - ie: the engine out of an Austin A35 / Morris Minor 1000 and no synchro on 1st, so the idler gear gets hammered!). They have a very unique look, those little beasts and will forever be cool as a result. One thing I heard when the engine was turning over (and confirmed when it fired) was it sounds like you have a dead miss. It's like it has a stuck or burnt valve - very common to burn #3 and #2 exhaust valves or to stick #1 exhaust when sat for a while. My pick would be #3 exhaust valve is burnt, although I hope it's just stuck! Worst I ever had was on an A35 I bought running rough. It had split the face of both #2 and #3 exhaust valves quite bad, #1 inlet was not seating properly and #1 exhaust had a hairline split that had just separated at the edge of the face. How it ran at all was a testament to British engineering!

[@sazman2000]

oi oi steve, happy new year.

[@mundanestuff]

My carbs on one of my Bugeyes are dry, I need a rebuild kit and to figure out what to put in there, mineral oil or whatever. The question is, with all my spares, do I just rebuild a bunch of them or only the ones I need?

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

Only rebuild the one you need there are plenty of them out there and they are not really worth much to anyone else as they are easy to get.

[@mundanestuff]

Thanks! Good advice.

[@caseytailfly]

I’ve had luck pulling the old cork seals around the mixture control rod at the bottom and soaking them in motor oil. As long as they aren’t disintegrated or worn too much they will swell up and seal again.

[@cr10001]

For the carburettor piston dampers, SAE 20 engine oil will do. Or 20w50. You can buy special 'SU damper oil' but most people just use engine oil. Thicker oil will richen up the acceleration. Whatever grade, some oil is better than none :) (My next-door neighbour had a Mini Cooper and I could tell from the way the poor thing spluttered and missed when cold, the piston dampers needed to be topped up).

[@philipchandler330]

Excellant

[@BobSmith-rh5gv]

What country are you located in.?

[@RonLH]

You didn't wire brush and paint the pedals while it was apart?

[@Radfordperson]

I thought the same

[@davidjones332]

Me too -much easier when it's on the bench.

[@Broyourenglishisgood]

YES!!!!!!

[@Channelscruf]

I’m what’s commonly known in some circles as first.

[@wakefieldyorkshire]

Congratulations

[@mikego18753]

Thumb(up)858. cheers

[@jagvette1]

OK hopefully you will not find this an impertinent question, but how does someone so young have enough money to buy all these cars, did you win the lottery :), of course I am envious :(

[@annajeannettedixon2453]

well she worth 10k uk by now

[@Gruxxan]

its not firing on all 4 cylinders

[@stephenhenion8304]

Where do you post your cars for sale?

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

Different places depending on the car. I will share a video once I have decided where to sell this one.

[@stephenhenion8304]

Thanks!! I really appreciate all of your videos.🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@buzzchase85]

I’m interested in one of your Bug eyes.

[@buggeroff9]

Do you intend on making a profit when you sell your cars or do you just do it as a hobby?

[@charlescarter6146]

Sounds like a tractor.

[@spiritusmalingus343]

Nice, huh?

[@charlescarter6146]

Must be a Austin thing.