Classic/Antique Car Repair: starting, jumper cables, battery car

Question
Brian,

76 MG and I just installed a new starter.  As for the manual choke I don't believe that it's functional.  -------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Brian I am having trouble starting my MG.  I replaced the starter and one indicatior is I am smelling a gas. assuming its flooding itself everytime i attempt to start it.  If I boost the car with my other vehicle it starts.  Once going it will shut off and start no problem.  Once sitting overnight Im back to the no start and flooding situation.  Any thoughts.
Answer -
Terry:

Hi!  I really need more info to give you my best answer. Anyway I'll assume you must have a "weak" battery as you state you (sometimes) have to boost it with jumper cables and another battery/car. This could be part of a larger problem. I doubt that it's going to be one thing. You likely have several smaller things going on.

You say you smell gas. Your car (year? model?) likely has a manual choke which you pull out to enrichen the mixture for cold starting. It must be adjusted properly and the mixture jets must reseat themselves when the choke is "off" ie., you don't want the car continuing to run with too much gas (rich).  Though basically, it sounds mostly like a weak ignition to me.  When was the last time the car had a "tune-up?"  I do not know if you have a breaker (points) or electronic ignition since I don't know the year and model of your car, but you should have good spark plugs, wires, distributor cap, distributor rotor, a known good battery of the proper size and capacity, good tight electrical connections on the battery and starter and grounds) and of course a good starter motor.  It sounds like maybe your battery is not holding a charge very well and after it sits overnight - is weak and giving you a weak ignition spark, turning the engine slower, etc. making starting harder in the mornings.

If you give me more info and detailed descriptions I may be able to be more specific, cause there can be lots of reasons why a car won't start (or you'd smell gasoline)! ;-)

Brian

Answer
Terry:

Why do you think the manual choke is not functioning?  I take it you are not / do not use it then? If the engine is cold and you have no choke - that certainly can, and probably is - the cause of your hard starting in the mornings or after an overnight sit.  If I were you, I'd have my battery thououghly checked (with what is called a "load-test") and also have your choke mechanism checked out by a competent mechanic if you can't or are not comfortable doing it yourself (preferably a mechanic or shop that works on british/ English cars) to make sure it is working properly or even working at all.  Let me know how it all works out for you.

Brian