MG Car Repair: Fuel Delivery Problem, electric fuel pump, spare wheel

Question
My 1980 MGB made for USA market with low miles has not run for 20 months.  The fuel tank was low when last run, and turned out to be empty (I assume from evaporation over time) when I went to start again.  After adding several gallons of fuel, the typical clicking sound from the fuel device in the rear right trunk is no longer present when the ignition is first turned on, and the engine doesn't seems like it is getting fuel and won't start.

Answer
Hi Tom.  The ticking noise that you can normally hear is the electric fuel pump.  It has stopped working.  You are lucky.  On your MGB the fuel pump is accessible via an access plate inside the trunk.  If you remove the black metal box behind the spare wheel you will find the lid of the pump.  Turn the ignition on, give the lid of the pump a tap with a soft mallet (not too hard, don't break it) and 9 times out of 10 the pump will start to tick.

This can happen if the car is left unused for a while.  If the pump continues to be unreliable, then you will need to clean the points inside the lid, or as a last resort you may have to replace the entire pump.