MG Car Repair: 1975 MG wont start without starting fluid, bio ethanol, carburetter

Question
Just bought a 1975 MG Midget Roadster.  Previous owner replaced all mechancial parts, including installation of new Zenith carberator.  The car had been sitting for 4-6 month without being started.  The problem that we are having is that the car will not start without using starting fluid. It fires right up, but seems to idle a little rough.  Once you turn the car off it usually won't start again. It's been a long time since I owned my last MG so I could use a little help!

Answer
Hi Kim
Sounds like stale fuel to me.  Unfortunately, modern fuel (especially unleaded with bio-ethanol in it) contains all sorts of volatile substances which don't like being stored for 4-6 months.  My guess is that if you rig up a bottle of fresh fuel and feed it directly to the carburetter via gravity, this will allow the engine to clear and run.  Hopefully your fuel tank is less than half full.  If so, you may get away with just topping up the tank with fresh fuel, but the best way is to drain it and get rid of the old stale fuel.