Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) New toy - update (if you can be bothered!)

Thought I’d spend a few mins documenting this although it may not be that interesting to many here. My ‘new to me’ MGB GT is progressing well but has hit a little stumbling block. Here’s the story so far…




As bought the MG came with bucket seats, red harnesses, Weber carb, fancy exhaust and manifold, CD changer, central locking, silly Le Mans type fuel filler cover. Most of this has now been removed and standard items reinstalled. The ‘tat’ has been sold and raised a tidy sum. The seats were awful and the included refurbished standard leather items are much more comfortable. I couldn’t get on with the Weber carb but again the car came with 2 sets of incomplete SUs so the HS4s have been rebuilt and installed. I’ve done about 200 miles in it since and it’s coming along nicely but there’s still more jobs to do going forward.

On the way back from its 3rd show yesterday cruising at 65 it developed a misfire, quite severe and lasted about 10-15 seconds before it cleared up. Few miles later the same thing happened again, clearing after a short time. Haven’t investigated yet but I’m thinking sticking valve in the float chambers.

Next on my list is to get rid of the central locking as I’ve found it sometimes actuates if the door is closed with too much force - potentially locking the keys inside the car! Then the task of finding a wind deflector for the webasto sunroof! Hens teeth!

I’m enjoying reacquainting myself with a car I know so well.

If you've got points/condenser/rotor arm, try replacements because quality is rubbish. If you have electronic ignition, be aware that despite what experts say, they can go intermittent. So switching back to points & condenser will show if that's going on.
Could also be the distributor cap or coil.........endless fun chasing intermittent faults!

I do have a soft spot for MGB`s... (-: As Dave suggested "new" ignition parts can be cheap copies and rubbish..I admit to liking the Luminition electronic set up as a replacement though that would be perhaps 30 years ago.. it looks like your fuel seems clean so hopefully no rust in the tank. Not related to your issue, but I guess to have the ign timing set correctly you require to know what cam is fitted, and of course whatever timing might be printed best check it is OK with whatever fuel you might use.
Good luck in resolving your issue..

Having had a red B GT with chrome wires in my younger days, I keep getting this little itch to try another one, on the basis that they are very usable 'classics' , cheap to insure, no VED, lovely exhaust note, and a bit of fun into the bargain, but then I think, apart from the cost, that's why I have the +4 and, at the mo. I wouldn't want to get rid of the Mog, so I can live vicariously through your post G2.

Thanks, do keep them coming.

Edited to say yours looks to be in terrific condition.

Mine is in addition to the Morgan for when the weather is unsuitable! Soft I know.

the missing may have been related to a sticky piston in the rear carb, cant find any other potential cause.

I've been doing a little fettling and removed the mass of dodgy wiring under the dash the seems to be some form of central locking. Indeed the key fob had a remote that I though was the alarm but actually actuates two solenoids that lock the doors! Now that's a disaster waiting to happen so I've removed the lot!

Its off for a rolling road session on Monday to get the jets right in the carbs, pretty close already but can always benefit from a bit of fine tuning!

Rolling road went very well, carbs nicely balanced and timing reset. Mixture optimised and gained a massive 5.9 BHP!

With almost six horses more it may cost you more to feed them... ?

Only if you declare it to the DVLA

Has it gained 6, or have some lost ones come back to the fold?

Of the original 90 or so some have long since left the paddock; 6 have been recaptured. Meaning we have almost returned to full gallop.