Starting the Mite

[eholland]

Well as many of you know I got my first Mite 2 weeks ago. It was not in running condition. Many parts are missing. We however hooked the cables up to my m151A2 batteris and pour some gas in the top of the carb and she did try to start Keep in mind I am missing many parts and the wiring is in really poor condition. But is looks very promising that this engine is gonna run Wish me luck!!!
I still need.
Front bumper
Seats
front brakes drums and everything.

holland1@vci.net
eholland@geotechengineers.net

[John Garrett]

I'm is a similiar situation. With a few jumper wires here and there and a gas can hanging from the open hood my M422A1 fired and ran. Now I need the parts to make it road worthy.

volt. reg.
cable reg. to batt.
rebuild kit for master cylinder
rebuid kit for fuel pump (I found a 24 volt electric unit on Ebay for $25 and am in the process of going through the entire fuel system.)

Good Luck,

John

[Jim Gilmore]

Whoa............hold on!

Don't even think about running these motors unless you want to spend some REALLY big bucks to repair them!

The FIRST thing you should do to a Mite motor that has not run in a long time is to PULL OFF THE CYLINDERS!

These motors have chrome lined cylinders. The chrome is only a few thousands of an inch thick. This chrome coating begins to peel after the motors have sat for years. The flakes of chrome fall down into the crank bearings. When you start them up more chrome flakes off and goes into the bearings then chews up the bearings and the crank. You WILL have to turn the crank IF you're lucky or get a new one IF you can find one if you're not. (big $$$$$).


Take your time with this and pull the jugs off for a look see.

If you don't have the manuals for the Mite yet, get with Portrayal Press and get them.

Also, check your front wheel axle nut shaft and see if it has an "X" stamped on it so you don't have the front wheels fall off.........

Jim Gilmore

[John Garrett]

What exactly should I look for once I get the jugs off?
How can you tell if the chrome is in good shape?
The mite sat for about 10 years when I got it.
Thanks for the advice.

[Jim Gilmore]

Once you get the jugs off, clean the bores with solvent and a clean rag. Inspect them carefully looking for any chips, peeling or rust spots. They should look like chrome without any scratches. If they don't look perfect then you should get them resleeved.
If a Mite has been sitting outside for 10 years you should plasti-gauge the crank and rod bearings as well to see how good they are.

Better to spend a little more time now than spend big $$$ later.

Jim Gilmore

M-422 # 617
XM-177E5 Mite trailer

[Bill H.]

I couldn't agree more with Jim Gilmore. Please don't rush to start the engine! Do not use sand paper or a hone on the bores of these engines. You can lightly use Scotch-Brite and solvent. As Jim pointed out, the chrome is very thin. Another thing to look at in the cylinders is what looks like laquer checking on an old paint job (like mud that has dried in a pond). If this checking is present then re-sleeve the jug. Re-sleeving can be done with cast cylinder sleeves and that makes the rings much easier and cheaper to find. The rings on these engines are special and a regular cast ring will not seat and cause oil consumption. The rings are available but are costly. If you pull any bearing, replace it. The posible problems you may have by not changing them far outweigh the cost. Any good VW machine shop can resleeve and do head work. They are so much alike they're easily mistaken for VW at first glance. Just make sure they don't try to stuff VW parts in where Mite parts should go

PS. Jim, could you share a picture of your Mite trailer with me? You can email it to me if you would.

[Guest]

Bill - you said the rings are something special and hard to find...are you talking about the rings for use with the chrome jugs? If you have the jugs sleeved with a cast iron sleeve, what type rings do you use and where do you get them? I'm confused about the ring issue. Thanks
CW

[Bill H.]

If you get it re-sleeved, you can use regular old rings. They have to fit both the piston and the cylinder of course. The chrome piston rings are expensive and can be hard to find.

[eholland]

hmm Daryl Bensinger told me he would start it but not run it too long?

[nate]

well i got this mighty mite from my grandpa, it just sat and sat and sat, cause i was too busy w/ all of my volkswagen projects. well now im getting started on the mighty mite finaly, well the motor was all in peices in the back of it, all coroaded and unuseable, but what it looks like is just a simple porche motor. which is really close to a volkswagen motor(which i can get my hands on easly) would a 1600cc dual port vw motor fit nicely in the mite? i sure hope so, cause i have no idea where to get a mite motor, nore do i have the money. can someone help me? thanx.
-nate

[FUBARjeep]

I'm going to look at an -A1 this Saturday. How long is too long for these to sit? This one has not run in 1-1/2 to 2 years. Can I check the oil in the pan for flakes? Should I do that before starting it or let it run for a few minutes and check then? Sorry to be in such a hurry to find out, but friends with Mites are not sure how long is too long.
Thanks.

[Perry]

You will be lucky if the jeep will turn over. The batteries will be dead. If you want to jump start it, you cannot it is 24volts. The only solution is to charge the batteries seperately and hope! You will also have a problem with fuel delivery from the tank. The fuel pumps are so weak, the motor must be running to draw fuel from the tank. I usually have to prime the carb after just one month of downtime. As far as the motor goes, my Mite sat for over three years. I cannot find any flakes in the oil, but the motor did have a low compression on one cylinder, but it still ran. Also, take a change of spark plugs and point & condenser with you. The condenser will need to be changed,(no spark). Fresh gas is also a good idea too. Good Luck

[FUBARjeep]

Perry, Thanks. I've spoken to the gentleman a few times since my post about "how long is too long" and he says his partner last drove it in March, but that they have started it at least once a month since. I worry that this "new" info is in response to my queries about the possible flakes in the oil...
Since this is a father and son project, my biggest fear is that I will be spending dad's money poorly. If it were all my cash on the line, well, caveat emptor, right?
Dad, though, has asked him to put fresh gas into it and charge the batteries in preparation for our visit.

I'll keep you all posted and hope to join your ranks soon. (You know, the ranks of Mite owners...)

[FUBARjeep]

Hello all. I am riding back from SC typing this on my pal's blackberry. I made a deposit on the -A1 yesterday. It was everything the seller said it was and I'm pretty excited about my first mv being such a rare one! The oil was clean, the batteries were new, and the tires practically new. There is some evidence underneath that someone in its past painted it with an od but topside it wears marine green with no hood numbers yet. (I'm not likely to worry much about correct paint or where to get it-I've been selling federal standard colors to friends in the hobby for a few years now.)

I expect to begin pestering you all with questions as I clean it up a little more and prepare to show it. I look forward to getting to know the forum members of the gee.