MG Car Repair: gapping points, float bowls, adjustment screw

Question
QUESTION: Howard, Jon with the 76 Midget (1275 in it). The other day, it was cold, i
had my midget running--pulled up on the choke--went to give some gas
and stalled it. Since then, the car has not successfully restarted. I cleaned
the plugs, blew out the plug holes, refreshed the gas in the float bowls and
then turned to the ignition. I was not seeing a spark when turning motor. I
took off distributer cover and lifted the gap for the points and got a spark
with ignition on. I replaced the condenser. I then went to check the gap.
Seems that the gap will not open when it hits the top of the cam lobe. I took
off the points and put a new one it. When I manually turn the motor, the
gap will still not open. The only way I can see to adjust it is with one screw
that sits just below that long spring between the poles. It does not seem I
can adjust low enough to get the lobes to push it up.

Do you have any info, or diagram or something for me to try to figure out
what/how to set? My manual does not really have any good pictures of the
adjusting mechanism...

JGP

ANSWER: Jon, the screw you are talking about is the hold down lock screw, it is not an adjustment screw. You are suppose to turn the engine until the cam high point (Lobe) is in line with the points runner and then loosen the screw and adjust the points with a straight blade screw driver inserted into the notch in the edge of the points. When you have the .015" set, you lock down that screw and then check the gap again and adjust again if necessary.
There is no "mechanism" just a notch in the edge of the points plate.
Howard

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


pic of plate   QUESTION: Ok, done it. Here is the problem. There is "play" in the base-plate. The one
that the points plate screws down to. The distributor is a vacuum advance
model. If I push with my finger at the bottom of the plate (near where the
ground screws attaches from coil) the plate pushes in and the points open.
In other words, the plate is tilted in towards the vacuum advance spring. I
dissassembled the distributor, pulled the plate right off. It slides side to
side; i.e. for vacuum advance. It has also play in it the opposite way (in out).
I don't think there is suppose to be play. I don't see anything holding the
two pieces of the plate together except  the natural fitting of the two in the
center (where the shaft slides in). Is there a c clip or something that is
missing to prevent the play ?

PS. there is no shaft play...it is firm.

would an electronic replacement for the points solve this or is there
something simplier I am missing?

Answer
Jon, It does not matter what is wrong with your plate as there are NO replacement parts available for the plates. If your plate is not correct you need to either find another plate or distributor. You are wasting your time if that plate is not correct. Most of the MG parts companies have replacement distributors available. If you have a local British car club you could also check with members to see if you can locate a used distributor.
Howard