It was 18 months of eager anticipation, but well worth the wait. The new 1275 cc engine from Hap Waldrop (ACME Speed Shop) is now a reality, While I set out with a goal to do every part of the project that I could myself, I lacked the knowledge, skills, and equipment to produce the engine that I wanted to power this car. Hap, on the other hand, has what it takes and as long as you don't have a stringent deadline, can produce the engine of your dreams. He caters to the racer boys and their schedules are much more demanding than mine, so I got in line, waited my turn, and LOOK what I brought home!!!

Build specs:

• MG 1275cc

• Bored .040

• AE21253 hi compression pistons

• 9.7 to 1 compression ratio

• Ported and polished cylinder head with new valves, AE valve springs, hardened exhaust seats, three angle valve job

• Harland sharp roller rocker 1.3 arms with solid spacers

• APT VP276 nitrited slot drive camshaft

• APT CF-04 chilled iron lifters

• Rollmaster vernier timing gear set

• ARP rod bolts, head stud kit, and flywheel bolts

• Connecting rods resized and balanced

• STD/STD EN16T crank balanced

• King tri metal bearings

• AE full circle cam bearings

• Payen gaskets used through out

• Romac Harmonic balancer

• APT oversized aluminum water pump pulley

• Rivergate 5 speed back plate w/ rear engine seal

• Fidanza aluminum flywheel

• Alloy valve cover

• Winner Circle racing oil pan

• 1-2-3 electronic distributor

• Acme Speed Shop HS2 carbs

• Winner's Circle LCB (long center branch) race headers

• Winner's Circle AN oil line adapter and fittings

• Gear reduction starter

Throughout the build Hap regularly posted information to the British Car Forum/Spridget Forum online. I have taken those posts, including pictures, and refined them down to a chronological build log. I made no content changes, only edited for spelling, continuity, etc. If you are considering hiring a builder, doing a build yourself, or just want to see how a master builder thinks/works, visit the Build Log, oh...you might want to bookmark it for reference!

E-mail Ray at ray@raysmg.com about MG interests you may share.