Hey Dave, when I had twin SUs on my B I used to carry a leather hammer
with me. A couple of bangs on the float bowl(s) always worked!
Larry (no more SUs) Hoy (MGB.Roadster@juno.com)
Denver, CO USA
1969 MGB Roadster
1987 Jaguar XJ6 Vanden Plas
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On Fri, 22 Aug 1997 15:55:40 +0000 Dave Houser <mgs4dave@warwick.net>
writes:
>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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