MG Car Repair: 1979 MG midget, stromberg carburetor, zenith stromberg

Question

Valve   QUESTION: Howard.

I have a 1979 MG Midget, I don't have a clue as to what this valve is and what it does (as you can see on the photo) one end connect to the lower side of the zenith-stromberg carburetor and the other end connects to the top of the EGR. can you please tell me what is the purpose of this valve and would it be safe if I eliminate it, thank you in advance.

Ruben.

ANSWER: Hi Ruben,

That is a fuel vapor trap and should be mounted vertical. It is not a valve. It is usually used to help prevent fuel vapors from condensing in a diaphragm area like an EGR valve or a distributor vacuum or retard unit. Several British cars used them.

Howard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Howard,

Thank you so much for your quick response.  I also forgot to ask you, I replace the intake manifold gasket, while doing so I looked inside the cylinder head and notice lost of gunk build up on the valves, is there some kind of liquid that I can use to clean this out or do I have to remove the head and take it in to have it clean? if I do remove the head and put a new head gasket do I have to re-adjust the valve clearance? your help is highly appreciated and thank you in advance.

Ruben

Answer
If the build up of carbon on the intake valves is excessive the only good way to remove the carbon is to remove the head and do a valve job. If the valves are just dirty looking, there are fuel additives that can be added to the fuel that will clean them over a period of time.

If you remove the head, you do have to install a new head gasket, torque the head and adjust the valves. Then after about 500 miles you need to torque the head again (cold) and adjust the valves again.

If you intend to do this you should purchase a service manual on the car. (Haynes or Bentley manual).

Howard