Specifications from the official Austin-Healey Sprite AN5 Workshop Manual.
Engine
| Number of cylinders | Four |
| Capacity | 57.87 cu. ins. (948 cc.) |
| B.H.P. | 43 b.h.p. at 5,200 r.p.m. |
| Torque | 52 lbs./ft. at 3,300 r.p.m. |
| Bore | 2.478 in. (62.9 mm.) |
| Stroke | 3.00 in. (76.2 mm.) |
| Compression ratio | 8.3 : 1 |
| First oversize bore | .010 in. (.254 mm.) |
| Second oversize bore | .020 in. (.508 mm.) |
| Third oversize bore | .030 in. (.762 mm.) |
| Fourth oversize bore | .040 in. (1.016 mm.) |
| Firing order | 1, 3, 4, 2 |
| Piston type | Aluminium split skirt |
| Piston clearance at skirt | .0006 in. (.015 mm.) to .0012 in. (.03 mm.) |
| Piston ring gap (fitted) | .007 in. (.178 mm.) to .012 in. (.30 mm.) |
| Piston rings: 1st (Top) | Plain compression |
| Piston rings: 2nd | Taper compression |
| Piston rings: 3rd | Taper compression |
| Piston rings: 4th (Oil control) | Slotted scraper |
| Ring width (plain and taper) | .069 in. (1.753 mm.) to .070 in. (1.778 mm.) |
| Ring width (oil control) | .124 in. (3.15 mm.) to .125 in. (3.175 mm.) |
| Oil capacity, sump | 6 pints approx. (fill to dipstick) + 1 pint for filter if changed |
| Oil pressure (normal) running | 60 p.s.i. (4.2 kg./sq. cm.) approx. |
| Oil pressure (normal) idling | 15 p.s.i. (1.05 kg./sq. cm.) min. |
| Oil filter | Full-flow type with renewable element |
| Gudgeon pin type | Clamped in con. rod |
| Gudgeon pin diameter | .6244 in. (15.860 mm.) to .6246 in. (15.865 mm.) |
| Fit in piston | .0001 in. (.00254 mm.) tight to .0003 in. (.0076 mm.) slack |
| Crankpin diameter (standard) | 1.6254 in. (41.285 mm.) to 1.6259 in. (41.298 mm.) |
| Connecting rod length between centres | 5.75 in. (146.05 mm.) |
| Connecting rod bearing type | Steel-backed copper-lead (thinwall) |
| Connecting rod side clearance | .008 in. (.203 mm.) to .012 in. (.305 mm.) |
| Connecting rod diameteral clearance | .001 in. (.025 mm.) to .0025 in. (.063 mm.) |
| Number of main bearings | Three |
| Main bearing type | Steel-backed white metal (thinwall) |
| Standard journal diameter | 1.7505 in. (44.463 mm.) to 1.751 in. (44.475 mm.) |
| Regrind 1st undersize | 1.7405 in. (44.209 mm.) to 1.741 in. (44.221 mm.) |
| Regrind 2nd undersize | 1.7305 in. (43.955 mm.) to 1.731 in. (43.967 mm.) |
| Length of main bearings | 1.1875 in. (30.16 mm.) |
| Main bearing running clearance | .0005 in. (.0127 mm.) to .002 in. (.0508 mm.) |
| Crankshaft end thrust taken on | Centre main bearing |
| Number of camshaft bearings | Three |
| Camshaft bearing type | Front: steel-backed white metal. Centre and rear: direct in crankcase |
| Camshaft end float | .003 in. (.0762 mm.) to .007 in. (.178 mm.) |
| Camshaft drive type | Single roller chain 3/8 in. (9.52 mm.) pitch, 52 pitches, endless with synthetic rubber tensioner |
| Valve timing marking | Adjoining gear teeth are marked |
Exhaust Valve
| Throat diameter | 0.908 in. (23.06 mm.) |
| Head diameter | 1.00 in. (25.4 mm.) |
| Stem diameter | 0.2788 in. to 0.2793 in. |
Inlet Valve
| Throat diameter | 0.969 in. (24.6 mm.) |
| Head diameter | 1.094 in. (27.8 mm.) |
| Stem diameter | 0.2793 in. to 0.2798 in. |
Valve Timing
| Valve seat angle | 45° |
| Inlet valve opens | 5° before T.D.C. |
| Inlet valve closes | 45° after B.D.C. |
| Exhaust valve opens | 40° before B.D.C. |
| Exhaust valve closes | 10° after T.D.C. |
| Valve clearance for timing | 0.019 in. (.48 mm.) |
| Inlet valve working clearance (cold) | 0.012 in. (.3 mm.) |
| Exhaust valve working clearance (cold) | 0.012 in. (.3 mm.) |
| Valve guides | Removeable and interchangeable |
| Valve lift | .28 in. (7.14 mm.) |
Ignition
| Type | Lucas 12 volt coil |
| Distributor type | Lucas DM2 PH4 |
| Direction of rotation | Clockwise at rotor arm |
| Contact breaker gap | 0.014 in. (.356 mm.) to 0.016 in. (.406 mm.) |
| Static setting | 5° before T.D.C. |
| Coil type | Lucas LA12 |
| Sparking plug type | Champion N5 |
| Sparking plug gap | .024 in. to .026 in. (.6196 mm. to .6604 mm.) |
Cooling System
| Capacity | 10 pints (5.68 litres, 12 U.S. pints) |
| Circulation | Pump and thermostat |
Fuel System
| Fuel delivery | A.C. Sphinx ‘Y’ Type, Mechanical |
| Carburetter type | Two S.U. H.1 Semi down draught |
| Needle (normal) | GG |
| Tank capacity | 6 gallons (27.3 litres, 7.2 U.S. gallons) |
| Air cleaner | Twin ‘Pancake’ |
Clutch
| Make | Borg and Beck |
| Type | Single dry plate |
| Diameter | 6.5 in. (16 cm.) |
| Number of springs | Six |
| Total axial spring pressure | 540 to 600 lbs. (245 to 272 kg.) |
| Thrust plate travel to full release | 0.24 in. to 0.27 in. (6.2 to 6.8 mm.) |
| Pedal free movement | 5/32 in. (3.969 mm.) |
Gearbox
| Type | Synchromesh on 2nd, 3rd and top |
| Type of gear | Helical constant mesh |
| First gear ratio | 3.627 : 1 |
| Second gear ratio | 2.374 : 1 |
| Third gear ratio | 1.412 : 1 |
| Top gear ratio | 1.0 : 1 |
| Reverse gear ratio | 4.664 : 1 |
| Layshaft bearing type | Needle rollers |
| Layshaft bearing length | 0.7795 in. (19.8 mm.) |
| Number of rollers | 23 |
| Diameter of rollers | 0.0984 in. (2.5 mm.) |
| Gearbox bearings | R. & M. 2/LJ16-3 dot, Ball journal (light) |
| Oil capacity | 2.5 pints (1.325 litres, 2.807 U.S. pints) |
Rear Axle
| Type | 3/4 floating |
| Ratio | 9/38 |
| Oil capacity | 1.5 pints (1.0 litres, 2.1 U.S. pints) |
| Final drive | Hypoid |
| Pinion front bearing | Timken or Skefco, Taper roller |
| Pinion rear bearing | Timken or Skefco, Taper roller |
| Differential bearing | R. & M., LJT 35-3 dot, 35 x 72 x 17 mm. |
Rear Springs
| Type | Semi-elliptic |
| Number of leaves | 15 |
| Width | 1.75 in. (44.45 mm.) |
| Working load | 375 lb. (170 kg.) |
| Average load rate | 97.8 lb./in. (1.13 kg./m.) |
| Alternative heavy duty: leaves | 10 |
| Alternative heavy duty: load rate | 118 lb./in. (1.357 kg./m.) |
Steering
| Type | Rack and pinion |
| Ratio | 2.25 turns, lock to lock |
| Track toe in | 0 in. to 1/8 in. (0 mm. to 3.175 mm.) |
Front Suspension
| Type | Independent by coil springs and wishbones |
| Spring free length | 9.375 in. (23.8 cm.) |
| Spring fitted length | 6.625 in. (16.85 cm.) at 750 lbs. (340 kg.) load |
| Spring solid length | 4.25 in. (10.8 cm.) |
| Inside diameter of coil | 3.125 in. (7.94 cm.) |
| Number of working coils | 7 |
| Diameter of wire | 0.5 in. (1.27 cm.) |
| Spring rate | 271 lbs./in. (19 kg./cm.) |
| Castor angle | 3° |
| Camber angle | 1° |
| Swivel pin inclination | 6.5° |
| Shock absorbers | Lever Hydraulic |
Brakes
| Make | Lockheed |
| Footbrake | Hydraulic |
| Handbrake | Mechanical on rear wheels only |
| Drum diameter | 7 ins. (17.78 cm.) |
| Total friction area | 67.5 sq. in. (435.37 sq. cm.) |
| Shoe lining length | 6.75 in. (17.14 cm.) |
| Shoe lining thickness | 0.203 to 0.193 in. (5.1562 to 4.9022 mm.) |
| Shoe lining width | 1.25 in. (3.175 cm.) |
| Pedal free movement | 5/32 in. (3.969 mm.) |
Electrical
| Battery type | BT7A |
| Initial charging current | 2.5 amps. |
| Normal recharge current | 4.0 amps. |
| Cell electrolyte capacity | 0.75 pint (.43 litre) |
Generator
| Type | Lucas C39 PV2 with extended drive for tachometer |
| Cutting in speed | 1,050 to 1,200 r.p.m. |
| Maximum output | 13.5 volts 19 amps. |
| Field resistance | 6.1 ohms |
Starting Motor
| Type | Lucas M35 G1 |
Control Box
| Type | Lucas RB 106/2 |
| Regulator setting at 10°C (50°F) | 16.1 to 16.7 volts |
| Regulator setting at 20°C (68°F) | 15.8 to 16.4 volts |
| Regulator setting at 30°C (86°F) | 15.6 to 16.2 volts |
| Regulator setting at 40°C (104°F) | 15.3 to 15.9 volts |
| Cut-in voltage | 12.7 to 13.3 volts |
| Drop off voltage | 9 to 10 volts |
| Reserve current | 3 to 5 amps. |
Windscreen Wiper
| Type | Lucas DR2 |
| Normal running current | 2.3 to 3.1 amp. at 12 volts |
| Stall current (motor hot) | 8 amp. |
| Stall current (motor cold) | 14 amp. |
| Armature resistance | .34 to .41 ohms |
| Field resistance | 12.8 to 14.00 ohms |
Lighting
| Fuse unit | Lucas SF6 (2 live, 2 spare fuses), 2 x 35 amp. |
| Sidelamps | Lucas model 52338A |
| Headlamps | Lucas model F700 |
| Stop/tail lamps | Lucas model 53330 |
| Number plate illumination | Lucas model 052410 |
| Flashing indicator unit | Lucas No. 35010A (FL5) |
Bulbs — R.H.D. Vehicles
| Headlamps | Lucas No. 414 / B.M.C. No. 13H 140, 12V, 50/40 watts |
Bulbs — L.H.D. Vehicles (not Europe)
| Headlamps | Lucas No. 415 / B.M.C. No. 13H141, 12V, 50/40 watts |
Bulbs — L.H.D. Vehicles (Europe except France)
| Headlamps | Lucas No. 370 / B.M.C. No. 3H 921, 12V, 45/40 watts |
| From Car No. 10489 | Lucas No. 410 / B.M.C. No. 13H138, 12V, 45/40 watts |
| Side lamps and flasher | Lucas No. 380 / B.M.C. No. 1F9026, 12V, 21/6 watts |
| Number plate illumination | Lucas No. 989 / B.M.C. No. 2H4817, 12V, 6 watts |
| Rear flasher | Lucas No. 382 / B.M.C. No. 1F9012, 12V, 21 watts |
| Stop and tail lamp | Lucas No. 380 / B.M.C. No. 1F9026, 12V, 21/6 watts |
| Instrument illumination | Lucas No. 987 / B.M.C. No. 2H4732, 12V, 2.2 watts |
Tyres and Wheels
| Tyre size | 5.20 x 13 Tubeless |
| Pressure front | 18 lbs./sq. in. (1.27 kg./cm²) |
| Pressure rear | 20 lbs./sq. in. (1.41 kg./cm²) |
| Wheel type | 13 in. ventilated steel disc with 4 stud fixing |
Torque Spanner Data
| Cylinder head stud nuts | 40 lb. ft. (5.5 kg. m.) |
| Connecting rod big end bolts | 35 lb. ft. (4.8 kg. m.) |
| Main bearing set screws | 60 lb. ft. (8.3 kg. m.) |
| Flywheel set screws | 40 lb. ft. (5.5 kg. m.) |
| Rocker bracket nuts | 25 lb. ft. (3.4 kg. m.) |
Leading Dimensions
Click the image to view full size.
| A — Pedal to seat squab | 3 ft. 3.5 in. (1.00 m.) / 3 ft. 7.5 in. (1.10 m.) |
| B — Steering wheel to seat squab | 1 ft. 2 in. (0.36 m.) / 1 ft. 5 in. (0.43 m.) |
| C — Height over seat | 2 ft. 10.5 in. (0.88 m.) |
| D — Seat cushion depth | 1 ft. 7 in. (0.48 m.) |
| E — Seat cushion above floor | 7.5 in. (0.20 m.) |
| F — Overall height (hood up) | 4 ft. 1.5 in. (1.26 m.) |
| G — Overall height (hood down) | 3 ft. 8.5 in. (1.12 m.) |
| H — Overall length | 11 ft. 5.5 in. (3.49 m.) |
| I — Wheelbase | 6 ft. 8 in. (2.03 m.) |
| J — Minimum ground clearance | 5 in. (0.13 m.) |
| K — Seat cushion width | 1 ft. 5 in. (0.43 m.) |
| L — Overall width | 4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m.) |
| M — Track (front) | 3 ft. 9.5 in. (1.16 m.) |
| N — Track (rear) | 3 ft. 8.5 in. (1.14 m.) |
| Turning circle | 31 ft. 6 in. (9.60 m.) |
| Approximate weight (kerbside) | 13 cwt. (660 kg.) |