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MG MGA - Still Won't Run Right

New points, plugs,rotor, button coil, condensor and plug wires. Car will start but idle. Cleaned out float bowls seems to have plenty of fuel. The line between the two bowls is leaking and I have ordered a replacement. However, the bowls are filling with fuel. Has all the new ignition stuff thrown off anything? Before it wouldn't even start but now it fires up but won't idle and runs rough when reved up.
Mike Razor

What is a button coil?

You didn't mention this but did you change the disty cap?

You didn't mention it but, did you reset the timing after changing everything out? Static adjustment should be good.

Look at it in the dark and watch for some stray arcing along the plug wires. Mine likes to occasionally jump to the oil dipstick.

Recheck that all the plug wires have been properly terminated. If you are using OEM style disty cap, make sure you have punctured the new plug wires and are into the center conductor.
Chuck Schaefer

Coma in the wrong spot. Rotor button. Didn't change dizzy cap, didn't reset timing.
Mike Razor

Mike,
distributor cap is a worthy suspect, however, try isolating to see what cylinders are being affected. You might need a helper. With the engine running pull each plug wire in turn to see if only certain ones are not firing. Also, do not rule out bad plugs just because they are new. Recently at Watkins Glen we helped a guy with a misfire. He went thru the distributor, cap, points, etc. Still was misfiring. We isolated it to number three by pulling wires. Pulled the plug and it wasn't sparking. A brand new NGK plug. Popped in an old plug and he drove away.

Good luck,
Gerry
G T Foster

I know it's a long shot but have you put the leads to the plugs in the correct order - It's a basic error that I have made before now! Dirt/damp in the dizzy cap also made mine run rough earlier this year.
Cam Cunningham

Mike - One more thought - are the needle valves working correctly? First check is whether they shut off fuel when float bowl is full. When you first turn on the ignition, does the pump stop clicking?

- Ken
Ken Doris

This thread was discussed on 20/09/2010

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