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MGB Hi All, newbie mgb owner

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ferrmgt

Freshman Member
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Hi all,

Thought I would say hello, love the site and look foward to search thru it.

I have a 1974 MGB primrose yellow with 47k original miles, great condition just having one problem, it won't start. Having gone thru the Haynes Manuel I have tried all suggestions (which check out ok) -any ideas?

thanks
 
Hi there,
Welcome
Just sit back and wait - you will get plenty of well informed suggestions shortly.
Assume you have a spark. Assume you have gas - not just in the tank but in the right parts of the carbs. Assume it cranks over Assume you have a well charged battery.. Assume the choke works.
Post answers to these questions as it will help the guys to figure out your problem
 
Also - did it start when you got it, or did you have it towed home? If the former, has anything changed that you know of?

Welcome! This is a real fun ride. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hi there,
Welcome
Just sit back and wait - you will get plenty of well informed suggestions shortly.
Assume you have a spark. Assume you have gas - not just in the tank but in the right parts of the carbs. Assume it cranks over Assume you have a well charged battery.. Assume the choke works.
Post answers to these questions as it will help the guys to figure out your problem

[/ QUOTE ]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif Get all that stuff checked out first...then we'll be able to help you better.

BTW: welcome to the forum! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Welcome! Tell us what you've checked exactly. Have you replaced any ignition parts or changed any settings since the last time it ran?
 
Hello & Welocome to the forum. Whereabouts in NY are you?
 
thanks for responding so quick! to answer and give more of an idea of what is going on:

I have a spark at all plugs.
I have gas- in the tank / in the carbs, the electronic fuel pump is working (I hear the ticking when key is turned)
It cranks over
I have a well charged battery
Choke is working

so... could it be an ignition switch failure? and or ...?

thanks for the help.
 
Vping - I am located in Bedford NY (about 1hr north of NYC). Not sure where farmingdale is but will mapquest - any clubs there?
 
to all-

a little history about the car. My father and I purchased it in 1992, with 35k on it. Never used as it lived in a garage in NYC. In the following years we drove it of course... and work we did included replacement of the su carbs for a weber downdraft,added an ansa exhaust system, periodicaly had an mg mech in bethlehem ct tune it for us and finally in 1999 started body work, no rust just dings and such. finally in 2004-5 resprayed it primrose just in time for my wedding (which my bride and I drove home from the reception). I used it last summer after the wedding for some 500 miles or so than laid it up in the garage for the winter. did the usually fogging of the engine, changed the oil, tran fluid, redid the brakes, stabiled the gas, etc. We moved on Memorial Day this year to a new house and going less than 10 miles under its own power it coughed and petered out. I had it towed the remaining 2 miles and have been scratching my head ever since. so... maybe that is a clue to help us figure the problem out? thanks for all the help!

sorry its so long a story but ya asked!
 
Roger that, condensor seems a likely suspect.
 
Bedford. Stones throw from me old stompin' grounds Chappaqua. Farmingdale is in LI but I often head up there.

Old bad gas? Do you have an inline filter that you can look through to see the gas. Does it turn over & not start?
 
Spark and fuel? It will run. Heck if you have spark you can pour a bit of fuel in the carb and see if it goes. Stand back eyebrows are at risk.
 
vping - I know chappaqua very well, best friend lives there. Do you know the Roane's? - as for bad gas I dont think so... I always mix in stabil with the gas when ever I fill it(not sure with the weather if and when I will use it next) - I put in clean gas as a possible help while trying to fix. I have a clear inline filter that appears clean, no residue, color of gas is good... it turns over as usual but just wont start not even a hint of firing. after confirming spark I tried gas in the carb and to no avail. I think I will try the condensor and possibly the coil, anyways my pop used my extra coil and condensor for his mgb just a couple of months ago (another story in its own) so I will have to order'em tonight.

thanks for the suggestions. I will be up in the garage late tonight /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Can prob get a condencer and a coil at your local parts house.
 
WElcome - I second pouring a little gas into the carbs (or squirt starting fluid in them) to see if fuel is the problem...after that, we might be able to eliminate 1 system.
 
Ok - last nite tried pouring gas in carb as well as starting fluid - not a hint of firing. The fuel system appears ok - I pulled the fuel pump opened it up, and everything checked out ok - for good measure replaced the cork piece (with a new one from victoria british - keep several on hand), cleaned all connections and blew out the fuel line removing all gas if old, installed new inline clear filter and tried starting. Pump charged the system just fine and clean new gas is getting to the carb. I think the fuel system is ruled out as a case. I will try to pickup a condensor and coil at the local autoparts place this evening and have fun in the garage again this evening.
 
Like yesterday, I vote condencer. Anyway with fuel and fire it will run. Seems like you have ruled out fuel but it was a good exercise to clean out all.

Let us know.
 
You should always have an ignition kit on hand anyway, so you may as well buy all the parts now and keep them in the boot. Get a set of points, condensor, rotor cap, distributor cap, plugs and wires. If you can, even get a spare coil and fuel pump. With these spare parts in the car, it is highly unlikely you will ever be stranded.

Once you have replaced a part during a routine tune-up, and that part is still working, save it!!! I prefer used, known working parts in the trunk to new ones, which can be and sometimes are defective.
 
Ain't that the truth.

Check inside box before leaving the store as well.
 
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