QuestionHoward-I recently purchased a 1979 MGB which I am having some minor issues with and I hope you can help. 1) It has a Weber Downdraft carb which I am not familiar with. It is hard starting and does not idle well-I think it is running lean and I am not sure how to make the adjustments. 2)Neither the turn signals nor hazard flashers work-I have replaced the square one under the glove box,but have not found the other one. I appreciate any help you can give me.
AnswerHi Howie,
One thing at a time as each may not be short quick fixes.
Any time an MG or any car came to me with a starting and idle problem I had to follow a test procedure.
First do a compression test to confirm that the engine is ok. Be sure to hold the throttle open when doing the test on each cylinder and be sure to let the engine turn over at least 4 or 5 revs. Let me know the results.
If you don't have a compression gauge, they are not expensive and you can even get one at Wall Mart.
Next adjust the valves (in & ex at .012") forget what the book says.
Set the ignition timing by the sticker under the hood (if it is still there) If not most MGBs ran well at 10 deg BTDC at a fast idle. (About 1500 RPM)
Now you can look at the carb. Weber, in your case. Your car came with a Stromberg carb. I know some of the Webers but you will have to get me the letter/number ID off of the carb for me to help with this part of it.
If the starting problem is a lack of extra fuel (choke), you can test it this way. Under the conditions that it is hardest to start have someone try to start it while you spray starter fluid (available at any auto parts store) into the intake. If it starts up right away (providing you did all of the above first) then it is probably a choke problem.
Webers had accelerator pumps so you can also try pumping the pedal before you try to start the engine to see if the choke is at fault.
The 4 way flasher is in the center console.
let me know.
Howard
