MG
The Classic Marque

The problem I’ve had especially the centre blowing has been down to the manifold flanges (inlet and Maniflow exhaust) not being the same thicknesses.

Alloy flanges often much thicker - I’ve brazed up the thick washers with a half washer packer attached to hopefully give equal clamping pressure.

I had a Maniflow LCB that had a leak on the centre port from new. It wasn’t quite flat.

I put some exhaust putty on the face, where it was leaking. It cured the leak and it also adhered to the manifold so well that I never had a problem with it again, despite removing the manifold dozens of times - it was my race car.

I agree, take off the pivot and check it properly. In my experience the pivot bends before the arms, so if the arms are bent it is odds-on that the pivot is.

Go to the beginning of this thread.

I had a blown gasket. It wasn't long after I put on a new maniflow 3 branch. I assumed it was a crap gasket. So I bought another, supposedly better one.

The 'better' one began to leak and gas me too, until last week when I could stand it no more I bought yet ANOTHER gasket.

And behold, today, after fitting it yesterday, within 20.miles...

Sorry, ignore my comment - missed the bit where you said you'd already replaced the rattle bits Les - doh!

When was the gearbox last replaced??? I had that problem and it was cured when I replaced the layshaft needle rollers bearings and the ist motion shaft needle roller bearing. I also replaced the spigot bearing in the crankshaft.

Hi Guys
Thanks for your comments . Don't worry no offence taken . In an ideal world I would have been working in a large garage with space to loose fit all the panels. My reality is a small garage and any job is a cramping experience . Not helped by the present hot weather. Anyway I understand what you mean about the front rubber infill . Thanks for that.
Looking closer at it I don't thin...

There used to be an 'anti-sizzle' kit available from the usual suspects.

Here's an earlier discussion about it
http://mg-cars.info/mg-midget-sprite-technical-bbs/anti-rattle-gear-stick-kit-2018050320310711515.htm

I think the parts are still available so may be worthwhile contacting your favoured supplier.

AI is good but has its limitations and won't admit when it doesn't k...

Nope, there are no accessible parts from underneath except drain plug and speedo drive. Some bits of the selector mechanism are under the gear shift gaiter, but actual detents are inside so you would have to pull the engine/gearbox and remove side plate.

I would not have much confidence in that diagnosis.They are only tiny balls and springs so even if weak (unlikely IMHO, unless you are al...

True Judd. The problem with AI sourced data summaries is that it can lack the real world opinions of users and experienced experts.