MG Enthusiast – July 2019

http://www.mgenthusiast.com MGE AUGUST 2019

1934 MG PA Midget

35

be on the limit of grinding. “I ended
up with a new block and a Phoenix
crank and a new set of rods. Then I
built the short engine after Gosnays
Engineering re-white-metalled the
main bearings, lightened and balanced
the flywheel, crankshaft, connecting
rods and pistons.” The cylinder head
fared better when it was refurbished
and was given unleaded valve seats.
“I then built up the engine, upgrading
the oil pump, using one from a
6-cylinder N-type engine as they have
deeper gears to get more oil pressure,”
Bill explains. The engine had twin
1” SU OM-type carburettors but Bill
has replaced these with twin 1^1 / 8 ” SU
HVs fed by a bronze-bodied SU fuel

pump, which he also refurbished.

He stripped and cleaned the four-

speed non-synchromesh gearbox,

renewing bearings as a precaution,

but he made some additional changes.

“When I got to the differential I

found it had the early two-star

differential, which is very unreliable,

so I upgraded it to the four-star

differential, as I intend to use and

keep the car as long as I can.”

The structural integrity and alignment

of the chassis were assessed. “I

checked the alignment of the chassis,

with a plumb bob, the old, reliable

way, and that all came in true. I found

the front axle was out of alignment

and had that sorted by Russ Truman

ABOVE: All of the PA’s instruments were refurbished, including the multi-function Jaeger speedo/tachometer.

who’s well known for chassis work.”

Being another critical component,

the king-pins were crack-tested, as

he explains. “Lo and behold, they were

cracked. They were just on the border

but I didn’t want to risk my life or my

wife’s. Luckily Sports and Vintage have

them made so I fitted those, overhauled

the drum brakes and, as they are cable

brakes, you have to renew those. The

handbrake operates all four brakes as

well, which is unusual, which all the

triple M cars do. Having read up a lot on

the Triple-Ms, as they are my passion,

I read that most people used the

handbrake to stop the car in those days,

apparently, as the leverage is better

than the foot pedal.” The Marles Weller

ABOVE: Here’s the completed engine,
with all its ancillaries fitted in place.

ABOVE: Replacement fuel tank, after

problems with the one previously fitted.

ABOVE: The completed aluminium

bodywork was trial-fitted before paint.