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Re: MGB Ignition

To: James Nazarian Jr <James.Nazarian@Colorado.EDU>
Subject: Re: MGB Ignition
From: Rick Brown <mgrick@ptd.net>
Date: Tue, 10 Aug 1999 19:00:47 -0400
James Nazarian Jr wrote:
> 
> The fuel pump is good, I just rebuild it a few months ago.  The problem is
> a sporadic ignition problem.  99% of the time the car runs great but
> occasionally the ignition will loose spark literally for a second or two
> and then it will instantly return.  When driving you can feel engine die,
> tach drops and car is slowed by non firing engine that is still in gear.
> Then everything returns to normal just as quickly.  If you weren't paying
> a lot of attention most of the time the problem is so brief that it feels
> like a backfire through the carbs.
> 
> James Nazarian
> '71 B roadster
> '74 BGT bastardization with big alluminum heart :)
> 
> On Tue, 10 Aug 1999, Skye Poier wrote:
> 
> > I assume it turns over but doesn't start.  You didn't mention.  Does it
> > seem to "try" to catch and then fail?
> >
> > I read somewhere "90% of electrical problems with the ignition, aren't".
> > Very true.  Try this just in case:
> >
> > Disconnect the HT lead from the coil at the cap end and lay it near
> > a ground.  Remove the cap.  roll the car in 4th so that the points
> > are closed.  Turn on the ignition and use a screwdriver to open the
> > points.  You should get a healthy spark from the end of the HT lead.
> > Turn off ignition, reconnect HT lead and cap.  Remove one or more
> > spark plug leads at the spark plug and lay them on the block.  Have
> > someone turn over the car and look for sparks.
> >
> > .. or my hunch ..
> >
> > It sounds more like a fuel delivery problem.
> >
> > Take an bottle, pull off the fuel line just before the carbs and stick
> > it in the bottle.  Turn on the ignition.  If you don't get gas: hooray,
> > you have a bad fuel pump.
> >
> > Skye
> >
> > --
> > 1966 MGB        The MGB Experience         __,__\__      Safety Fast!
> > GHN3L-70307     http://www.mgb.bc.ca/     (_o____o_)     MGOFR 1.375
> >


James

Id side with Skye on this - sounds exactly like the problem I had 
on my 61 "A" on the way to Indy a few years ago.  It turned out 
to be the fuel pump.  If you have an inline electric pump give it 
a try and see if that is the problem.

Rick

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