Thread: 51 MG restoration.

I’m not putting on new carbs, just gonna review the settings on the new ones I put on during the resto.
Drain the float bowls at least.
In the winter, when I assumed it was just cause of the cold, she acted as she is currently, but I didn’t think of it till now. And the fuel, is fresh, and i ran a half a tank or more before the issues appeared, but it’s the logical next step. Maybe the fuel filter got plugged again, mighta been more crud in the tank than I thought.
Chilly night so prolly wont do much more til lthe weekend.

You went to electronic ignitison didnt you? So points and dwell are out. Good luck

Hope you're running ethanol free.

What about a vapor lock?

Good suggestions all gents thanks.
No ethanol up here, and I run a lead additive as well.
Continued diagnostic has led me to the issue possibly.
Dizzy can rotate, as in the hold down clamp has softened its grip and it has turned.
Hence timing drift and me only making things worse by adjusting the vernier advance.
So, pulled the plugs again to unload the cylinders and and hand turn to tdc #1. Then advance to my 6’ btdc mark and I’ve rotated the distributor back to that being the fire position.
Tighten everything down and we shall see.,
Would make perfect sense based on the way she behaved, and be a huge relief and confidence boost.
Will advise.
Cheers.

Sounds like your diagnostics make sense. I do hope that it will work.

Good Luck

Don't screw with everything at once, Mike. Backfire?
Make sure the rotor is pointing right. May have spun? Ck cap and rotor?
Fire and fuel there. Look at coil high tension and power connections.
If you are using vacuum advance, look at plate ground in dist. Can break.
Pull valve cover and see if a push rod went astray?

One thing at a time.

Originally Posted by MikeB52

Good suggestions all gents thanks.
No ethanol up here, and I run a lead additive as well.
Continued diagnostic has led me to the issue possibly.
Dizzy can rotate, as in the hold down clamp has softened its grip and it has turned.
Hence timing drift and me only making things worse by adjusting the vernier advance.
So, pulled the plugs again to unload the cylinders and and hand turn to tdc #1. Then advance to my 6’ btdc mark and I’ve rotated the distributor back to that being the fire position.
Tighten everything down and we shall see.,
Would make perfect sense based on the way she behaved, and be a huge relief and confidence boost.
Will advise.
Cheers.

Yeah that would make sense. As Tom said though too many things at a time muddys the water. I had a similar-ish thing happen with one of our work vans. Lousy running then it died and was a no start. After a lot of head scratching it t turned out the pin fixing the timing gear to the distributor sheared off. First the gear slipped then spun completely. Funny thing was I checked it but the first time didn't catch it because it took more pressure to turn than I exerted by hand.

Was the distributor, and associated innards that was the root issue.
Once i had her back to close, she lit up, a few more tweaks and she’s right as rain.
Hr long rip in the Caledon hills just to make sure, but that was it.
I’m a happy/relieved camper.
While I had her apart and once running again I also bumped my spark gap up to .032 from .025. Wanted to last year once Iput te MSD in, but anyway, done now. And seems to like it.
Cheers gents and thx for the suggestions.
Now to gain the wifey’s trust again, hehe.

What is considered a long trip today and when the MG was born?

I have what looks like a matchbook but is actually sandpaper strips.

Made for sanding your points.

Pretty handy and compact and you might need one on your trip.