New here - with Datsun A15 powered MG Midget

[rbastedo]

Hi, I've been looking for a place like this for a while now.

I've read a few threads and decided I'd register & post.

 

I've got a 1978 MG Midget into which the PO installed an A15 out of a Datsun B210 Deluxe along with the 4 speed transmission.

 

It's got the Hitachi downdraft carb on it, and what I would like to do is to put either one or two SU's on it.

So I would need a different intake manifold and of course the carbs.

 

One of the questions I believe I need to answer is what head is on my engine?

Does it have round or oval ports?

Is there some way to know without disassembly?

 

I can take a few pictures tonight and post them here.

 

Here are a couple of the intake side:

 

 

[datzenmike]

Yes, pics of the car! Right at the end of high school my best friend got a 6-7 year old '62 midget. We went everywhere in it, even a road trip to Boston. Great times. It came with a 1 liter motor with SUs I think.

[Phlebmaster]

Welcome to the family!! Look forward to seeing more pics of your ride. :D

[rbastedo]

Here's what that A15 sits in now, I've removed the rubber bumpers & painted the valances to match the body. I replaced the blocky rear signals with the rounded earlier versions. On the inside I've replaced the steering wheel and adapted a 63 horn push with emblem. I also installed a stereo with 6x9 Sony Xplodes in the rear and 6.5 inch Alpines up front.

 

 

 

 

[ggzilla]

So all A15s have oval-port heads. But there are three different oval-port sizes. Assuming the A15 has the A15 head, you will need the regular A14/A15 size. Not the "GX" size which are larger ovals.

 

There is basically only one manifold, it is from circa 1975 B210 engine. I have a manifold if you have the carbs.

[datzenmike]

Do they still have a rubber bulb on the dash that you press with your thumb to squirt washer fluid on the windshield? Man that takes me back to '69.

[CharlieBucket]

cool car. i like how the front looks without the bumper. got a pic of the ehole engine bay? i'd like to how it looks in a different car.

[Guest jaimesix]

Yes, this is a cool car. One of my all time favorite British cars, together with the Bug Eye.

 

If I ever find one for the right price, I will get it. Plenty of those racing all around.

 

The A15 is a cool motor, lot's of potential. You can get a twin S/U set up, as well as twin sidedraught Webers. Twin S/Us would be cool and will give it the right British look.

 

You should look around for the 5 speed gear box as well, not easy to find ( A series ) but still around. I am looking for one for my 1200.

 

GZilla has a manifold...that is cool!!!

 

Thanks for sharing your ride, and it has a Datsun hearth, so it is more than welcome here.

 

Jaime._______________________________________________________

[rbastedo]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone, I'm going to like it here!

I'll get a picture of the engine bay up here today.

 

Gzilla, it looks like we are practically neighbors (if you are in Seattle).

So how can I tell what head I have?

Apparently it's aluminum, I can't tell much more about it.

Are there external markings of any kind?

 

A couple other things I've done to the car, this spring I installed a new top.

That was pretty cool, I called up an outfit in Liverpool and they said they would make one up for me. They made the top & shipped it and I had it two weeks from the day I called. I basically got a high quality English made top for less than I would have paid a company here in Wa State to do it.

I opted for the zip out rear window, that way I can get plenty of air on longer drives without the sunburn.

 

Here it is with the window zipped down and stowed:

 

[datzenmike]

I can't see any snap buttons on top of the dash. for the tonneau cover. Does it have one? My buddy used to install it and drive around on rainy days with the top down, hilarious!

[rbastedo]

Yes, it has all the snaps, and I have a nice tonneau.

I only put the top down on sunny warm days, I have enough trouble keeping water out with the top up! :eek:

[rbastedo]

ggzilla, you have a PM.

[rbastedo]

Ok, I took a bunch of pictures of the engine compartment.

Probably all a bit too close up, sorry about that.

 

Go here, look through them - I resized to 800 by xxx to make it a bit faster.

 

http://www.bastedo.net/midget/motor/

 

[thisismatt]

I think you can deduce all the info you need from this page:

 

http://wiki.datsun1200.com/index.php/A-series_Cylinder_Heads#Head_Types

 

Your engine has the bosses in the head and no oil passage lump on the outside (sparkplug side), making it a late model it looks like, but your manifold looks like it's for a round port head since the oval ports come all the way up to the bolts and your manifold ports obviously don't. Your head doesn't look to have the water temp bung, like the no number GX oval port head in the bottom picture of the intake port section.

[rbastedo]

Thanks Matt, I like that site too (I'm registered there by the same name).

Funny this is the first time I've seen that page, even though I've talked about this same subject over there...

[rbastedo]

It sounds like there may be some identifying numbers under the valve cover.

I should pull that off and see.

[Guest jaimesix]

Yes, there are some identifying numbers under the valve cover.

I have a new, brand new cylinder head for my next A series project , and you can see the identifying numbers, H72. Also the numbers 107 appear.

 

The oval port cylinder head is supposed to be a better one. The small round pors head is the result of pollution control efforts.

 

Check the pictures of my cylinder head at my B210 page:

 

[email=http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2546825/2]http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2546825/2[/email]

 

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2546825/2

 

Jaime._________________________________________________________

[Burabuda]

oops! double post

 

[Burabuda]

1. not all heads have id marks under the valve cover

2. the small round port head is not the result of pollution control efforts

 

Yes, there are some identifying numbers under the valve cover.

I have a new, brand new cylinder head for my next A series project , and you can see the identifying numbers, H72. Also the numbers 107 appear.

 

The oval port cylinder head is supposed to be a better one. The small round pors head is the result of pollution control efforts.

 

Check the pictures of my cylinder head at my B210 page:

 

[email=http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2546825/2]http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2546825/2[/email]

 

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2546825/2

 

Jaime._________________________________________________________

[ggzilla]

The only sure way to know is to remove the intake manifold.

 

* A lot of heads have no meaningful marks.

 

* A14 heads with round ports are for fuel economy, rather than for emission control. Those were the genuine 50mpg heads. A15s as far as I know only came with oval ports, so someone may have swapped heads.

[rbastedo]

Unfortunately I didn't get a lot of history with the car, the owner who did the work had died and the guy I bought it from didn't know much about it.

One test drive and I was sold.

[DRIVEN]

I don't know if all A15s have oval ports but mine does. Can you weld? If there is enough room you could always fab your own intake and use any carb(s) you want.

[Burabuda]

I don't know if all A15s have oval ports but mine does. Can you weld? If there is enough room you could always fab your own intake and use any carb(s) you want.

 

your head could be off another motor :)

 

pull the intake. won't take but 15 mins.

[rbastedo]

I'm not prepared with a new gasket, if the old one tears or is damaged I'd be in a pickle. I drive this car, it is extremely fuel efficient and really fun to drive.

[Burabuda]

we can help you out if you can't get a new gasket ;)