Perry,
It sounds to me that the engine is OK mechanically. You might
double-check this by leaving the sparkplugs in and turning it with the
starting handle. You will feel resistance as the pistons individually
pump up compression, but should be able to lift the crank slowly past the
compression. If you are unfamiliar with hand-starting, just do this test
with ignition off.
That you are not using the car much is probably part of the problem.
I'm going to second those who suggest a bad ground in the system, but
also suggest that you should begin at the batteries. Disconnect, clean,
then apply a dab of No-Ox (or any other electrical anti-corrosive grease)
to each connection. Go through the entire system--the front end of the
large battery cable, the connections at the starter switch, the
connections on the starter, etc, including all the grounds. When that's
all done, reconnect the battery ground cable and have a go.
Starters are easily tested at starter repair shops. They put the
starter on a machine called a "growler" and make them run. THat tests for
excess current consumption, dead fields and other electrical things.
Good luck with this. It's worth a morning's effort to make the car
start easily.
Bob
On Fri, 19 Mar 1999 09:07:36 -0600 PROBINSO <PROBINSO@flower-mound.com>
writes:
>Hello everyone, I'm new to the list, and hope I can tap into this vast
>expanse of knowledge.
>Here's the long, short story: I have a 1961 MGA 1600 that I've owned
>for 10
>years. the engine has maybe 6,000 miles on it since a full rebuild.
>Ive
>driven it from Lubbock to Dallas several times, and never had a
>problem.
>
>My problem is that since I put it up for storage at my mothers home 70
>miles
>away, I rarely drive it. When I go to start it, it turns over very
>slowly,
>sometimes no more than 1 to 2 full revolutions. I have always pulled
>the
>plugs out, and spun the motor with the starter, until it shows oil
>pressure
>on the gauge, before replacing the plugs and trying to start it. When
>I
>replace the plugs, it truns over VERYslowly, as though the starter is
>straining to turn it. Sometimes the jumper cables get very hot, or
>the
>circuit breaker trips on my 200 amp booster. I have repalced the
>starter
>twice, with a "guaranteed" starter, but no luck.
>
>If you get two healthy individuals, you can push it to a good roll,
>pop the
>clutch in second, and it will buck once, this start like a champ!?
>I've
>been told that I may have a piec of crap starter, that the ground
>strap may
>not be good (checked that), or that my static timing may be too far
>advanced. ANY IDEAS?
>
>I love driving the car, and I know that I should drive it more, but
>its
>become such an ordeal that I dread even trying to get it started, much
>less
>count on it starting somewhere else down the road away from the
>house...
>
>Any help would be appreciated.
>
>Perry Robinson
>Ft. Worth, TX
>
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