MG Car Repair: HARD STARTS, stromberg carburetor, lean condition

Question
HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING MY 1978 B TO FIRE UP. WILL CRANK JUST FINE AND HAS SPARK BUT IS YOU GIVE IT ANY GAS IT DIES.
ONLY WAY TO GET IT STARTED IS TO STAY ON THE STARTER LONGER THAN I LIKE AND DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND GET IT TO GO AT HIGH RPM SAY 2500 TILL IT IS WARM. IF YOU LET THE THING GO TO IDLE THEN GIVE IT GAS IT WILL DIE. ONCE WARM SEEMS OK.
THIS ENGINE HAS NOT BEEN RUN A LOT BUT I REBUILT IT AND IT HAS PLENTY OF COMPRESSION.  VOLTAGE HERE AND THERE IS LOW.
I JUMPED AROUND THE IGNITION SWITCH TO GET A GOOD 12 VOLTS + TO THE IGNITION BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP. IT IS AS IF THE ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE IGNITION IS FINE UNTIL YOU TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH FROM START TO RUN AND THEN IT DIES.  I HAVE HAD MG'S FOR YEAR AND THINK I AM RATHER HANDY, BUT THIS HAS BECOME A REAL CHALLENGE.


Answer
Hi Jim,
You have one Stromberg carburetor on this car, correct? Is the air filter in place? Your symptoms indicate a very lean condition and /or a low compression. Did you do a compression test? If so what were the readings? Do you have engine oil in the top pot of the carburetor? Let me know.
Howard