• Hi Guest!
    You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

ARGHHHHHHHH! @[*$@#$&*&@#

Share this page

No water choke on the B. PO converted it to a manual choke.
 
I've also seen the firewall referred to as the "scuttle". But I think that refers more to the whole cowel, or dash area.
I wasen't sure if you knew about the "pedal rule" I've seen you mention "pushing the pedal" once or twice, so I was just checking. Diden't mean to accuse you of being ignorant.
Hope your new computer (or is it just a new hard drive) is treating you well. You know, Layland tried to build a P.C. a while back. They gave up 'cause they coulden't get it to leak oil.
 
Bwahahaha Banjo. We were laughing at the car show Sunday. I said, 'ya know, when we pull away in these 26 MGs, there's going to be a nice oil slick here on the Muny parking lot. Sort of our calling card!' Someone said, 'hmmm, maybe that's why they park us in the exact same spot every year!'

Old computer, new hard drive. Is behaving. But I'm still bitter about all the data I lost. Some crucial articles I was in the midst of writing for the paper and some older ones that had already been submitted. Thank the gods that Lucas doesn't build computers, hey!??
 
AHH! I had that site bookmarked and lost it!!! Thank you!

Actually, I email myself links to pertinent MG information and threads here I don't want to lose track of. Lost that entire folder in my email program as well. Some invaluable MG info. ~shrugs~

Hey, looking at that article at mgcars. What does this mean? I know what a solenoid is, for the most part, but not sure what I should be hearing. What should I listen for?

"If the solenoid is heard to actuate"
 
[ QUOTE ]
ah but the stock choke on the carbs do need you to press the pedal down once before or during start up to allow them to engage... At least that's the way it is on my spare ZS (water choke). If you have a manual choke then pressing the pedal down would not be necesary.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ahhhh yesss, Good call. I forgot about the auto choke. I know sometimes with a manual choke conversion when it has a lever to raise the idle built in, then depressing the pedal a little will take the tention off the choke mechanism so it works easier too. I'm used to the older cars with the choke tubes, I don't tend to do a lot of ZS MGBs. Thanks for the reminder.
 
A solenoid is an electrically operated plunger that makes the contact between the pos side of the battery and the starter terminal when you feed it a small current by turning the ignition to "start". It kind of clacks.

Guinn
 
Solenoid clacks. Fuel pump clicks. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

So if it isn't actuating, it isn't clacking?
 
Or if it isn't clacking it isn't actuating. You should hear it readily from the cockpit.

To diverge, I had the same problem with my Yard Machine /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif the other day. Had a devil of a time tracing the lead from the solenoid to the starter, then found that connection LOOKED good but wasn't. Fixed the connection and it started right off.

Guinn
 
Just wanted to see if any one of us was correct, and to see if the problem got solved before your husband left town. So, any news for the curious?

Rad
 
Jay, I admire your tenacity and dedication to your MGB. I have followed your posts and find them interesting. Forgive this bit of philosophy: (I am a lifelong British car nut that now has a business based on these lovely works of art). In the automotive world, you pay for what you get. There are differences of list prices but you will find that the article is also different. A starter that you get from Auto Zone is not the starter that you get from John. John has to worry about the warranty but Auto Zone doesnt care. The chain stores such as Auto Zone are great for oils, light bulbs, Etc., but replacement parts such as starters and alternators seldom make the warranty because they are not rebuilt to a quality standard. They might be painted and pretty, but they are only "repaired" inside, not "remanufactured." If you truley love your MGB you should buy quality replacement parts. Also consider upgrades on a starter such as the improved reduction gear after market starters. They are far superior and do not cost that much more than a properly remanufacturerd unit. Forgive this tutorial if it comes off that way but I am opinionated and love my British sports cars. Seems like you have an affection for yours. Best regards,
 
If the solenoid repeatedly "clacks" while holding the start, it usually means a low battery or a bad battery cable connection.
D
 
John, I agree one hundred percent. Let me add how important it is for us to support those who have all the little parts that keep these cars going. AutoZone is never going to carry the rubber seals for your B or the dampers for a Midget. I don't mean that we put up with highway robbery or shoddy products, but is one of those guys needs to charge five bucks more I think that, in the long run, its worth it.

Let me here your opinions.
 
CAREFUL WHERE YOU SPRAY THE DEGREASER, COVER THE ALTERNATOR AND THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP. IF YOU DON'T, TALK ABOUT STARTING PROBLEMS...
 
Well. An update.

Checked the connections, checked the battery, all the cables. Everything seems fine and tight. Headlights do dim a bit when I try to start her with the lights on, but dahubby insists that isn't a big deal, when you have the pull of the starter working the battery too. And I haven't the foggiest. But battery and connections are fine.

Had trouble starting her yesterday, but she did fire. Went to put her in the garage at the end of the night, got the click-click when I turned her over. Sweet-talked her a bit and she did finally start for me to get her in the garage.

Went to take her out this morning. Click-click. No groaning, grinding, even an attempt to turn over. Since we had plans for the day (and just walked in) didn't get a chance to 'work' on her.

But I have a promise from dahubby that he'll work on her tomorrow. Top priority on his list. DUH! Since I'm holding the keys to his boat ransom. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
((Dahubby is pretty certain it's the starter, and he's worked on our vehicles for 33 years. A gear driven -?- starter is about $185 through the guy who has the lbc shop here, but he has to order one))
 
Gear reduction starter, I think. Holding a man's boat keys hostage sounds like dirty pool, but then again if my wife "forced" me to spend my time under a car's hood... Oh, well a man can dream. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif
 
Some may say YOU'RE a dreamer...

And of course I'm not 'forcing' him. I just very nicely, and very sweetly asked him if it were possible to get the B running.
goodevil.gif


Well. He's been out in the garage since early this morning. And is VERY greasy & cranky. And muttering a lot.

Is that a good sign? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
Was rewarded.

I gave him his boat keys back. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif
 
Back
Top