What an MG Midget 1500 Should Run and Sound like

A video showing what an MG Midget should sound like. I bought this car with the engine running poorly despite it being tuned up. What did I do?
-Check compression ; All good
-Check and adjust the valve clearances
-Check the ignition system. I went with Britpart Electronic Ignition to bin the points and then set the timing up to stock. It was far too advanced
-Check & adjust the carbs ; Mine needed freeing off alot, but this was done. They were then balanced and had the mixtures done
It went from hunting and misfiring slightly to purring lovely and starting on the button. Who said old cars run poorly?

[@Leylandman1]

I'm still driving my Midget, I bought new in 1978.

[@tjsogmc]

Excellent! Thank you for sharing. One piece of advice I would like to share regarding the points. I only set the points gap as an initial setting to get the car running, then I set the dwell to 30 degrees dynamic. The dwell is far more important than the gap as this is what allows the coil to reach full capacity before discharging to the spark plug. Do this and your ignition will run at full power. And don't neglect to set the timing at the proper RPM. This is very important and during the tune up you will probably have to adjust the idle RPM a few times- this is OK and perfectly normal. At each step you will improve the engine performance and gain some RPM, make sure to adjust it to spec before going to the next step. These cars are heaps of fun to work on and drive!

[@Stag2997]

I left a few steps out about resetting the timing, and I used to set the points via the dwell myslf. However, I found recently, points became variable in quality. Quite a few were melting the plastic cam heels on them, especially when electronic ignition became alot cheaper.

[@tjsogmc]

@@Stag2997 Yes of course. By the way the engine sounds in the video it's pretty clear that you know what you're doing. I grew up on points and carburetors. It's so rare nowadays to see them that I get very excited whenever anybody brings up the subject. I love tuning them up and getting the satisfaction from a well running engine knowing that I made it run like that. And yeah, modern made "repro" parts aren't as good as the originals. It's smart to stock up on some NOS when you can find it. I did that with my 71 Triumph. Every time I had to order something I made sure to buy a few extra things on the order like gasket or whatever that I didn't need right at the moment but knew I would need it at some point. I had quite a collection of spares when I sold it.

[@cliftonjackson441]

I saw that sped up transition and thought for a second this guys a madman. Loved the vid. My dad Almont got me a triumph project car for my first car now I feel like I need go get a British roadster in honor of his memeroy.

[@markcook3570]

As a TR 250 owner, I can attest to how fun these little cars are. Are used to own one back in the early 80s when I used to live down in Miami Beach. It was the perfect little get around town car, and the girls loved it. If I was to get one nowadays the only thing the car really needs is a five speed transmission and you’re good to go

[@philipbibeau8097]

I just bought a 1974 midget with the chrome bumpers and trunk luggage rack. I was all over the car it could not find one spot of underbody or top body rust. It was running rough but i smelled no valve burn off and it did not smoke. Good enough. I will take your advice and do the check list. Oh! i bought the midget for 3400. I intend to restore it.

[@anx1]

Thanks for posting I love these cars had one in 1990 didn't sound as good as yours 😀👍I'm thinking about chucking my modern beamer in for one of these as I miss how these sound

[@nagaraworkshop]

Sounds very smooth. I agree with your good advice too. Thanks for the video!

[@maxxbadge]

Nice little Midget in the same colour and spec as i am after, loved the video many thanks

[@rodshop5897]

I have a 75 Midget with a 1500 and the single carb set up. Would like to rebuild it with the European spec 2 carbs but have not yet gotten into the job. Car needs quite a bit of body work, and that's probably my biggest hang-up.

[@jamesgrice4768]

brilliant!!!!!!

[@Speedwelltuning]

Sounds nice from the very low revs you were using, shame you drive like miss Daisy as some higher revs would have made a more enjoyable video.

[@Stag2997]

The big ends going on these used to worry me; My friend neede a new crank in his due to this. I didn't know of the history of the engine either. The oil pressure seemed to indicate all was well.

[@jasonmessick4689]

❤️❤️❤️

[@barthelw7964]

Did you had any problems with a sticky throttle? Mine has the problem now and I'm figuring out what to do

[@DB-eh4yk]

Bart Helw replace the throttle cable with a mountain bike brake cable - makes the world of difference

[@bwho]

@@DB-eh4yk And the mountain bike brake cable fits like a champ? Interesting!

[@citabriaable]

I'll tell what it sounds like...your shifting at low speed is awful....that lugs the engine down. Now when you got it out on the open road and wind it out between gears, then it sounds right.