Here's a tip just off the presses.
Not one hour ago, I decided to check out the steering repair to the TD's
rack we had been discussing. Open the garage door, start the TD and head
down the driveway to get my sister-in-law's mail when I get a backfire
pop sound and the car goes into a running-on-two shake. Try to get back
to the house I just left but can't get enough power through the clutch
to get home. Now what!
Car's still running, albeit badly, good oil pressure. Try to push it
home. Neighbor sees me asks to help. No problem, I'll get my wagon to
tow it back up the driveway. Run home get my trusty tow rope stowed in
the B, jump into the Toyota(don't start that Japanese thing again,
please) and roll back to the TD. Pass the one end around both the face
bar and overriders, centering the tow rope and figure I'm home. Not
quite, car wanted to go where she wanted to go. So, back to neighbor who
was excited as hell to get into the car to steer back up the driveway
and hit the brakes along side the garage. We do that, roll it back to
the front of the garage and then push it in.
OK, now, what the hell happened and where to start?
Well, For a guy with almost 35 years experience with this one MG, I
start right at step #1. I call Rob Medynski for a diagnosis and damn if
he didn't save me an afternoon's worth of wasted time.
"I just had that problem with a TC. Damn gas today rots the seals.
Check your plugs with the car running, if no change at either #1 or #4
plug, check that float bowl, it'll be empty. That's the problem, your
running on one carb. Cars sit for a while and gas leaks out."
Thank him, run into the garage and lo and behold, no gas in rear float
bowl as pulling the #4 plug had no change in engine.
Took bowl apart, found a ggod bit of crud, checked 7/16" float clearance
put it back and hit the ignition. Carbs filled up, car started right up
and I was able to enjoy a ride after all.
I'm sure that with time I would have found this problem but having as I
said, a lot of experience with MGs, I've learned there is usually a
simple answer so why waste time diddling around.
I will admit that I thought the crank let go. That was my first fear.
It just goes to show you had I just rapped on the float bowl with that
big hammer, all would have been well. This time!
P.S.- Steering is A-OK.
Hope this helps should your car develop a sickly running condition,
Dave Houser
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