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MG MGB Technical - Are MGBs supposed to start like this?!

History: MGB fails smog, due to too lean of conditions - emitting lots of "un-burned gas" and the high O2.

I just finished changing the exhaust/intake manifold gasket, gastet for EGR valve, washers for the brake servo check valve, carb. to manifold gaskets to fix multiple air / vacuum leaks on my 1977 MGB. (I found these leaks by the method I have seen so many times on this BBS - spraying carb. cleaner here and there around intake area, and listenting for the idle to rise), and I found a lot of places where spraying it caused the RPM to increase.

After contacting everthing back up, I started her up, and I couldn't believe how fast it started - especially after not starting or driving for at least 1 month!

It normally took 2 to 3 iterations of the stater motor turing over the engine half a dozen times before it fired up, but today, I would say it turned over 3 times, and fired right up!

What other delights can I expect without the air leaks? More power? Running cooler, because of running richer air fuel mixture? Let me know.

Thanks,
Greg
Greg Knodel

My '65 has always started in less than one revolution. Perhaps this is unusual but it's never had a problem firing up. I only have to turn the key to the "start" position for a fraction of a second before the engine is ready to raise hell. :)
Steve Simmons

My 1971 B is also quick to start... faster than all my other cars:

1989 Geo Primz (I-4 EFI)
1988 Mitsu Pickup (I-4 carb)
1985 Dodge Van (V-8 quadrajet carb)
1994 Mazda RX-7 (2-rotor w*nkel twin turbo EFI)

Yeah dude, it's weird, but I like it!
Anders Green

Mine starts faster than my 2000 blazer. It's a nice feature.
Richard Smith

The MGB has the advantage of the electric fuel pump topping up the carbs prior to cranking. The older American cars normally have a mechanical fuel pump so the carb can be low on fuel until the engine has cranked for a while. The fuel injection systems normally don't power up the fuel pump until the starter is powered so they may not have full fuel system pressure until you have cranked for a while.
Leland Bradley

This thread was discussed between 21/07/2002 and 24/07/2002

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