OK, getting frustrated. 79 MG Midget 1500. It was sitting about 9-10 years before I bought it and it didn't start when I got it, hence the good deal. Engine was rebuilt 5000 miles before it went into storage.
Here is what has been done:
1. New Fuel Pump, Filter and hoses.
2. Removed fuel tank to confirm condition and blew out the line.
3. Pulled the carb and checked it. All seals and gaskets seem good. All internal passages free. Needle does not appear to stick. New oil in the damper. Float seems to move freely.
4. Checked high tension lead by grounding each plugs and then the coil wire. Good sparks in all instances.
5. Checked low tension lead by using a check light. Grounded to engine ground and made contact with the points (really the curved metal arm running to the points, I forget the name). It did light up.
6. Points seem fine. Curious - went to Autozone to replace points and condenser just in case and they tell me I am supposed to have electronic ignition. Don't understand. Manual talks to points.
7. Points have been gapped. New Plugs have been gapped.
8. Validated timing (99% sure). Turn to TDC, ensured the rotor was at #1 firing position. Wiring flows 1-3-4-2 (prior owner didnt have it that way) with #1 cyl at the front of the car working backwards.
9. New spark plug wires, cap and rotor.
10. Engine turns freely. All valves and rockers appear to move correctly.
My only thought is gas is not getting into the intake manifold from the carb. I went to pull the carb and gas dripped from the where the carb meets the manifold - didn't pour but definitely there.
Stuck valve? Will pull the head later if I run out of other things to check.
Would a broken auto choke do this. All the valves and arms move freely after oiling and I pretty sure I reassembled correctly.
When starting, it never fully starts but the exhaust sputters, mini backfires - not very strong.
Will check compression but seems like that would just make it run poorly - not keep it from starting.
Any ideas at all - help please?? My wife is finally excited about one of my project cars and I would really like to give her this one soon.
Here is what has been done:
1. New Fuel Pump, Filter and hoses.
2. Removed fuel tank to confirm condition and blew out the line.
3. Pulled the carb and checked it. All seals and gaskets seem good. All internal passages free. Needle does not appear to stick. New oil in the damper. Float seems to move freely.
4. Checked high tension lead by grounding each plugs and then the coil wire. Good sparks in all instances.
5. Checked low tension lead by using a check light. Grounded to engine ground and made contact with the points (really the curved metal arm running to the points, I forget the name). It did light up.
6. Points seem fine. Curious - went to Autozone to replace points and condenser just in case and they tell me I am supposed to have electronic ignition. Don't understand. Manual talks to points.
7. Points have been gapped. New Plugs have been gapped.
8. Validated timing (99% sure). Turn to TDC, ensured the rotor was at #1 firing position. Wiring flows 1-3-4-2 (prior owner didnt have it that way) with #1 cyl at the front of the car working backwards.
9. New spark plug wires, cap and rotor.
10. Engine turns freely. All valves and rockers appear to move correctly.
My only thought is gas is not getting into the intake manifold from the carb. I went to pull the carb and gas dripped from the where the carb meets the manifold - didn't pour but definitely there.
Stuck valve? Will pull the head later if I run out of other things to check.
Would a broken auto choke do this. All the valves and arms move freely after oiling and I pretty sure I reassembled correctly.
When starting, it never fully starts but the exhaust sputters, mini backfires - not very strong.
Will check compression but seems like that would just make it run poorly - not keep it from starting.
Any ideas at all - help please?? My wife is finally excited about one of my project cars and I would really like to give her this one soon.