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MG MGB Technical - Wont Start.... help

Just replaced a bad starter solenoid on my 70 B, and installed a Pertronx ignitor. Now the engine turns over, but won't catch. Tried again with the original points, but still the same thing. Checked the gap on the spark plugs and they're okay. All of the connections are tight, and static timing looks on. What next.... ?

Scott
S. M. Chafian

Spark, Fuel{to include air}and compression you got to have 'em all. If you are missing one the car won't start. Without more details, start with spark make sure you have it at all the plug wires and make sure it's blue and will jump a half inch gap.Next jump to fuel, dribble a little fuel in one of the carbs if it runs a little then stalls the problem is somewhere in fuel delivery if it just turns over with out a kick from the gas down the carb its time to check compression all the cylinders should have about the same psi 110/120 is a good number.
This is not the do all, end all for "won't start" problems, nor is the order of checks carved in stone.
Try it, it's a place to start-Ric
Ric

Scott. There is a fairly good article on ignition system trouble shooting on my website. Go to www.custompistols.com/ and click on the MG section, then articles. That should allow you to troubleshoot the ignition system, with points installed, with no problems. One thing to check is to ensure you got all of the brown wires attached to the starter. After that, it is simply a case of tracing the electrics through the ignition system to make sure they are receiving power. If the car was working before the starter replacement, we can assume good fuel and compression. If not, we need to know this as, then, we can tell you what else to check. However, if it was running before the starter change, check out the ignition circuit to find the most probable cause of your current problem. Les
Les Bengtson

Ric, Les,
Thanks for the input, I'll give it a shot. Les, the article is very good - easy to follow for us novices, but very complete.

Thanks,
Scott
S. M. Chafian

Scott. I hope it will allow you to find out what the problem is. If not, we will be working from a common frame of reference and can focus on what is the more probable cause. Les
Les Bengtson

Please don't think I'm being a smartass when I ask that you make sure you don't the the distributor 180 degrees out of phase.

Another note about pertronix ignition systems, you usually have to really advance the distributor position to get the proper timing.

Dave
Dave Shively

This thread was discussed between 11/06/2003 and 12/06/2003

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