> Had another go at starting my MGB project car
> today for the first time. It's a 1970 but the engine
> is an 18V673Z which I beleive is around 74-ish.
>
> For some reason... it just won't start.
>
> Seem to have lots of spark. I switched distributors and
> coils anyways, but there seems to be enough spark any time
> I've tested it. If I have a plug on the block and crank it,
> I see spark, and I can shoot a spark a half inch at least
> when I open and close the points with a screwdriver.
>
> The firing order I am using is 1-3-4-2, as in the manual,
> counting the radiator end as "plug 1".
>
> I have it statically timed to "about 7-8 BTDC". This puts
> the #1 terminal on the distributor cap at about 2 o'clock. The
> vacuum advance points just a little clockwise of straight up (ie: the
> fine adjust for the timing is at the bottom left and spins
> roughly flat to the ground like a record player.
>
> Seems to be lots of gas in the carb throats, if I raise the
> needles they are wet with gas. As well, I have used enough quickstart
> spray to launch a saturn V.
>
> During experimentation before I got to here, I was getting
> backfires when I had the timing way off, so there is some
> spark. However, when the timing and firing order have been
> correct, it's never even kicked once when turning it over. Just
> no life at all.
>
> The fuel is brand new, premium fuel, and the fuel pump seems
> to be behaving.
>
> Could it simply be the cold? It's about -2C (30F) where I
> am working. (semi-heated parking garage) Not seriously cold
> by normal car standards but maybe MGBs are finnicky?
>
> What could make igniting fuel this hard? What could I have
> missed here?
>
> How can I start this puppy up?
>
> --
> Trevor Boicey
> Ottawa, Canada
> tboicey@brit.ca
> http://www.brit.ca/~tboicey/
>
Trevor,
First, even though you have the firing order as 1-3-4-2, keep in
mind that the rotor rotates ANTI-clockwise. Please don't be
offended, I limped my car to the nearest mechanic once because I
replaced the distributor and got it in my head that the rotation was
clockwise. I guess an MGB can run on two cylinders after all.
Other than that, you mentioned that you're trying to get it to start
for the first time. What kind of shape is the gas in? 30F shouldn't
be too cold.
One last thing. You said that you're counting the plug wire
closest to the radiator as plug one. That's correct, but which
terminal on the distributor cap are you calling #1? If you stand at
the right front wheel and look at the distributor, I think #1 is at
about the 2 o'clock position (roughly upper-right). Again, don't be
offended, better mechanics than you or I have messed that up, too!
Scott
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