'67 Midget engine started for first time in...

[Roger_67MG]

I am pleased to report that my 1967 Midget started for the first time in maybe about a zillion years. The many answers and tips to my coil connection question were extremely helpful.

I've been working on the car for about six years. The car couldn't run when I got it, and my best guess is that is that it hasn't been started for maybe 10 to 15 years.

The short version of the story is that I rebuilt the engine (and everything else, too). That was completed late last winter or very early this past spring. I used assembly lube on the parts knowing that it would take some time before I started it.

Anyway, after quite a bit of fiddling and getting the distributor and other wiring sorted out the car started yesterday afternoon in a cloud of smoke. Within a few minutes it was running surprisingly smoothly and idling very well.

Onwards, ho! Just a few more things, such as fenders, hood, windshield, interior, and then it is off to the car shows. Maybe next spring or summer.

I can hardly wait.

 

[walshja]

very exciting, and congrats !!

lets see some pics

 

[jlaird]

Where are the pics. Good feeling isn't it.

 

[drooartz]

Congrats on the vroom-vroom! That's got to feel good. I wouldn't know yet...

 

[Jer]

Good Stuff, that must be exciting !
Post some pics !

 

[Bruce_B]

Way to Go!!!...Vroom-Vroom is a very good sound.

 

[Roger_67MG]

Where are the pics. Good feeling isn't it.

Yes, well, you won't believe it. But we were so surprised that it actually started that we forgot to take pictures! When we tried it a couple of weeks ago we had a whole crew complete with video camera and fire extinguisher, although they were not one in the same. On that attempt we didn't even get a pop.

But, what happened the other day is that I got a couple of puffs out of the carbs and figured PDQ that there was a technical "issue." We fiddled the distributor and before we knew it there was strong hints of impending success.

I must say that because of the assembly lube in the engine there was a startling amount of smoke for a few minutes. I mean we are talking about SMOOOOOOOOOOOOKE! Great clouds rolling across the neighbor's yard. But that settled down quickly.

Anyway, I am thinking of doing a reenactment of the Big Event. We'll get real video and post it on the car's Web site.

 

[GeeBee1]

SMOOOOOKE is great lubrication, as long as it stops.

GREAT WORK!!!

 

[Roger_67MG]

Well, here's the scoop, and the movie! It took a few days to get back to the garage, but over the weekend I was able to get the car running again, it was very easy once I put some additional gas in the tank! Minor details, I ran out of gas and hadn't even left the driveway. Can you believe it?

Anyway, as I mentioned before, we forgot to use the camera the first time. But the second time we cranked up the camera. I have posted the video at Great MG Project. The video is short.

I also have a video of the car on the home-made rotisserie, if anybody is interested, at MG Flipping. Just click the "play" button once the movie loads.

That's my story! If the weather is warm enough I think I will try to sync the carbs this weekend.

 

[jlaird]

What a wonderful moment. Sounds preaty darn good. Well done.