Thread: 51 MG restoration.

I did buy. New set of points from the UK as part of the part list. Might look into converting back since they new optics are a month out. White to points and 12 vdc switched I presume Tom?
No condenser needed, and I will disable the centrifugal but leave the vac advance connected?
Wanted to avoid messing with the dizzy internals but made that necessary when the magic smoke escaped..

Yep. Magic smoke must stay inside. Bummer. It sounds like you got it under control now.

!2vdc switched to the box, yes. Look at MSD diagram for using points. Points ground white wire to make spark like you did manually.
Much more reliable than optical sensor!

Presume I lock wire the mechanical advance in the closed, or retracted position,

Not the extended, or flung position.


Mucking with the door hardware and skins a bit. Really like how they are gonna look.

Complete with leather trim along the top edge to cushion and hide irregularities.


Lots of little details,,, all jostling for attention..
Cheers gents.

Finished converting back to points and test cranked things again.

She fires sparks as she should now.
Still need to set the point gap properly, as I just eye balled the .015 they say to set these too.
But it’s another big step. And yes the spark is mighty blue and zappy!

Take the condenser off, Mike. No condenser.....sigh

Im far out of touch with these things but...
Do I see a vacuum advance diaphragm and mechanical advance? Should there be both? Or did I miss something? Its been a long time since i played with a distributor.

Your eyes do not deceive Jerry. It does, or did have both mechanical and vacuum advance for different load conditions.
I have, on Toms recommendation, disabled the mechanical flyweight advance and will leave the vac advance enabled still with the MSD system.
Will pull the condenser off tonight as I missed that in earlier discussions but with the absence of voltage anymore, it’s just not needed.
Cheers..

Well at least it's pre 70s black spaghetti under the hood with all the vacuum emissions control insanity.

Gapped my points and removed the condenser so good to go there now!

And I’ve traced out the old rear wood rail onto one of my last pieces of oak to make anew. Figure after looking at it that it was home made, whereas the two small side pieces were original and there is a difference in height between them.

Even if the height was good, considering the convertible top connects to this I’d like new solid wood, sealed in the marine grade epoxy to also stand the test of time, like the rest of the car.
The new top will wait till the car is running again so I can go have some fun, and properly clean out the garage before I get into it.
May be able to actually have it running before to long now.
Cheers!