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[Spridgets] major motor problems

Subject: [Spridgets] major motor problems
From: aseippel at austin.rr.com (Jim Seippel)
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2011 22:38:56 -0600
References: <2CC3F782-6133-472A-A263-1025430A50CA@comcast.net>
I sent this post last night and it was bounced because of size. I have to
break it into sections. So here is Part 1. Jim 

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Jess, 

If you have a broken camshaft, I will bet that the block is cracked. Broken
cams come from broken rods. When the rod is thrashing around inside the
engine, it usually manages to crack the block. The crank will also be trash.
It will make a good door stop. 

Once the engine is removed and all of the parts are clean, you should
inspect the inside of the engine for damage. If you don't see anything
obvious, you can use a dye penetrant test to check for cracks. Look at the
sides of the block below the cylinders. 
 
You can put an 1100 or a 1275 engine in the car without doing any real
modifications. Either one is a significant improvement over the 948 engine.
If you pick an 1100 engine, use the later version (10CC engine) with the
larger (2.00") main bearings. You should also go with either  a ribbed case
transmission or install a Datsun 210 5-speed transmission using a Rivergate
or a Gerard kit. The 5-speed makes the car a much better driver, but it
takes more effort to install and costs a lot more. The original smooth case
transmission is significantly weaker than the ribbed case transmission and
really does not like the power of one of the larger engines. 

You will have to pull the engine. It is pretty simple. It should only take
an hour or two even if you have never done it before. Once you have removed
your first Sprite engine, it should not take longer than an hour unless you
are being meticulous (really picky). It comes out pretty easy. If you are
worried about getting everything back together in the right place, take
photos before you take it apart. You can always take the step of removing
bolts, nuts, and washers from components and putting them in plastic bags as
you remove them and labeling the bags with where they came from. I
personally like using the magnetic parts trays form any tool distributor.
Harbor Freight makes a good, cheap one. If you remove bolts with nuts and
lock washers, thread the nut back on the bolt to keep them together. 


-----Original Message-----
From: spridgets-bounces at autox.team.net
[mailto:spridgets-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Jess Power
Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2011 8:33 PM
To: spridgets at autox.team.net
Subject: [Spridgets] major motor problems

Broken cam shaft,possible bent crank shaft,motor has to come out.How  
does one determine if there is damage to the block if its not obvious? 
Is there a video showing how to remove the motor and transmission?What  
motors/transmissions will fit into a 1959 bugeye without much  
modification to the body/frame?
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