MG Car Repair: 1967 MG valve cover, triumph 1500, mg midget

Question

76 mg midget engine   QUESTION: Was going to buy a 76 midget, but found that ones on the enternet
had oil fill on valve cover at the rear. This one is at the front.
Can you tell me if it is the proper engine? Or even possibly which engine it is? Please see attached.
Thank you
Patrick

ANSWER: Hi Patrik,
Looking at what I can see in the picture that is not the engine that goes in a 76 midget and not only that the carburetor is not the carburetor that belongs on that engine. That engine is an Austin engine but I can't tell form the picture what size (look at the cast number at the top rear of the head to see what size it is. That carburetor is an aftermarket carburetor and intake manifold. Several size engines from Austin were used in the midgets up to 74 and then in 75 on they had the Triumph 1500 Spitfire engine. You may be able to more closely ID the engine by the engine number. The prefix of the engine number tells the size. The car itself don't even to appear to be a Midget. You better check the title against the VIN number.
Howard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


76 MG   QUESTION: This is helpful as the car seems to run well at $1500us
I am out of the country and my wife is picking it up.
Can you tell by this pic if it is a Midge?And are Austin motors
OK?
Thanks again
Patrick

Answer
Hi Patrick,
That is a MGB not a Midget and it is an 1800cc Austin engine which is a good design. The aftermarket carburetor installed is understandable as the stock Stromberg that came on the car was not a good combination. Hopefully they changed the exhaust manifold also, as the original was a poor design. Other than the car being raised up you will love that car. As for the price, that is a standard price here in the US for a "Donner" car for parts or one to start restoring. If it is a "driver" then that is a good price. Parts are available from several British car parts companies in the US and all have web sites and toll free numbers. You can still purchase almost every part for that car even a complete body.
Howard