QuestionMy brother bought a 77 MG Midget about two years ago. He passed away suddenly a few months ago. I would like to keep it in the family, however, I am not sure what the condition is. My brother wrote the following right after he bought it:
"I am always astounded how after the money has actually changed hands, the seller suddenly remembers critical facts about the vehicle.
I had driven the car when it was cold. The oil pressure was pretty tolerable. When the cash was out of my wallet and in his, he remarked, "I really can't figure out what is going on with the oil pressure."
Once the engine is hot, the pressure goes down to... oh, say......NOTHING!!
No knocks, even when the gauge is pegged on zero. It goes like a bandit and is super-glued to the pavements on curves.
It took a few miles before I figured how the trannie likes to be double clutched on downshifts. I really don't remember the trannie of my old Sprite as being a crash box. He put a coat of wax on it. I really wish he hadn't. After I finish tin-tapping it and welding in patch panels, I'm going to squirt a new paint job on it and wax just complicates that.
So, what with the oil pressure thing, I will be tracking down a rebuildable mill for it sooner than I had intended. There is a place in town that specializes in Brit cars. With luck they can do the machining."
If I kept this car, what might I be getting into? Does this sound like I would be looking at a new engine/transmission?
Thank you for your time. S. Boyd
AnswerHi Sandra. Low oil pressure when hot is usually an indication of a worn engine. However, the correct oil is becoming difficult to find, and most regular garages only stock one grade of oil, which they use for every car that they service. I would start by draining the engine oil and re-filling with some 20W/50 oil, preferably a good make. Replace the oil filter at the same time. You may well find that this solves the problem and the pressure no longer drops to zero. If the problem persists, but the engine sounds healthy, it is just possible that the gauge is faulty. I would test the pressure with another gauge. A third possibility is that the big end bearings are worn.
As regards the gearbox, it does not have synchromesh on 1st or reverse. If you take downshifts more slowly, you should be able to downshift into 3rd and 2nd without double declutching. To select 1st, it is often easier to stop the car, select 2nd, and then move the gearshift lever to 1st.
Go to the Brit specialist in town, and ask their advice. They could test the gauge, and they could drop the oil pan (sump) to inspect the bearings without dismantling the entire engine. Get them to check the oil level in the gearbox and the differential at the same time. They should be able to sell you the correct grade of oil, and they should also be able to tell you if the gearbox is OK or not.
