MG Car Repair: 1967 MGB - ticking sound from back of car, electric fuel pump, jet red

Question
Hi there,

I have recently purchased a beautiful jet red 1967 MGB roadster.  

When I drove it 2 days ago, I noticed a constant ticking sound coming from the back area of the car.  Is this normal?  It stayed the same in noise level and in ticking beats for around an hour of driving.

Thank you

Jean-Marie

Answer
Hi Jean-Marie

This is one of the traditional features of an old MG.  You are starting to `tune in' to the sounds of the car, which is one of the skills needed to drive an older car.  

I think what you can hear is the SU electric fuel pump, which lives under the right-hand-side rear wing.  Whenever you get in the car and turn the ignition on, before you engage the starter motor, just wait a moment while the pump fills the carburetters with fuel.  You will hear a ticking sound from the rear that lasts maybe 2 or 3 seconds and eventually stops when the carburetters are full.  Now turn the key to engage the starter, and the engine will fire up more easily.  

As you drive along, the pump regularly ticks as it keeps the carburetters topped up.  If you ever hear the ticking starting to race (for example, on a hill), this is a warning that you are almost out of fuel.

Also, if you notice that the pump is not ticking, it probably needs some attention.  It has a set of points inside the lid, and they need cleaning and replacing occasionally.

If you think the ticking is something else, please feel free to contact me again.