My "B" is trying to quit !!

My "B" is trying to quit !!

Hi Guys and Gals...
I haven't posted much in awhile since everything has been going well. Been driving our "B" Ellie 80 miles RT everyday to and from work with no problems. It's now around freezing every morning and she won't warm up while driving...new 195° thermostat and still sits on the "C"...also idles at 2000rpm at stop lights. Idle is good on the evening drive home when it's about 70° but temp is still cold. This is problem/question #1.

Big problem/question #2...All of a sudden on Friday night when I left work she started farting and snapping on the hills. I didn't think I'd make it the 40 miles home. This weekend I've been pretty sick but made myself try to find the problem. Checked the new plug wires...OK. Checked the plugs and front two were a little black...leaned the front carb a little and she ran worse. I'm such a novice that I don't know what to check next. She seems to backfire out the exhaust when I put a load on her like hard accelleration or up a fairly steep hill. Suggestions please ?? Thanks.

Gary

Re: My "B" is trying to quit !!

Question 1

Are you 100% sure the gauge and all its components are working?

Question 2

Fuel pump is working correctly?

Re: My "B" is trying to quit !!

Have you checked the oil in the carbs? I had mine start doing stuff like that when 1 carb was out of oil in the damper.
Also check that there's no caps or plugs open on the intake manifold or cracked vacuum lines running from the intake manifold.
Good luck

Re: My "B" is trying to quit !!

I'd check the carb diaphragms. Back one carefully.

Re: My "B" is trying to quit !!

Hi There Gary,

I had similar exp. with my TR6. A simple check is to check for any "Vacuum Leaks". Spray some Carb Cleaner or similar stuff around any mounting points (Carbs, Intake, Exhaust etc) & If you see some "Bubbling"; Tighten down the nuts. Same applies to hoses & where gaskets come into play. You may be surprised as to what a simple "Vacuum Leak" can do to prevent the car from running properly!

Best Wishes,

Russ

Re: My "B" is trying to quit !!

If you have points always check them first. Probably closing and need to be regaped or new ones installed. Bob

Re: My "B" is trying to quit !!

Lots of good suggestions:

I'd remove the thermostat and put it in a pot of boiling water
(use a pot Mommy doesn't care about :laugh: )

It should open after a minute or two (unless it's already stuck open).

Remove it from the water and it should close. If it doesn't close fully, it may be sticking open. If it's open all the time, it may be keeping the engine too cold. That may be helping to cause your other problems.

I'm running a 165F thermostat in my '69 MGB and, as the weather gets colder here in NJ, it refuses to warm up enough to run smoothly.
But I intend to park it for the Winter soon and switch to the Miata.

Re: My "B" is trying to quit !!

I'd also do a valve adjustment on it, if you are driving her that much, it might be time to adjust the valves.