MG Car Repair: 74 MGB wont start, new distributor cap, electronic distributor

Question
Hi Howard,

I just tried some tests on the fuel, it pumps gas very well from the line i
removed
below the front carb. into a jar. I then hooked it back up, i didn't remove or
look at the fuel filter,, but removed the air filters and sprayed some starting
fluid into the carbs and gave it a try and it started quickly but didnt last.

All the while, the fuel pump continues the sound.

Could it be a stuck needle in the carbs? I don't know how to fix that if it is,
but maybe i could try.

I am at the point now of not knowing what to order to
get it going. I have bought and installed: new distributor cap, wires, plugs.
The only thing I havent put on is the new points and condenser, or been able
to do the fire testing, maybe tomorrow when i get some help.

Any suggestions where to go from here?
And is buying one of those new electronic distributor systems a good idea for
reliability? It seems like the electrical and starting creates problems on these
cars, and I am frustrated about what to improve on these to avoid problems
like this.

Thanks a bunch,

chris

Answer
If your engine starts on starting fluid and will not keep running and the pump is clicking rapidly then no fuel is entering the carbs.
Remove the tops off of the float chambers and see if the float cambers have fuel in them. Pull the choke cable out and see if it lowers both jet assemblies. With the air cleaners off, reach in and lift each piston in the carbs and let it drop. You should hear it hit bottom. That confirms that the pistons are free.
If the float chambers are empty, check to see that the Pump is pumping from 1.5 to 2.5 PSI. at the carbs.
It is no use throwing money at it until you find out what is wrong.
Electronic ignition has some good points over contact points and contact points have good points over electronic ignition.
The ONLY good points electric ignition has over contact points is "No maintenance" NO one can say that reliability is better.
The bad point is that WHEN the electronic ignition fails, even the designer who made the thing can't make it go again.
The bad point of contact points is that they require maintenance. The good points are that you can usually make an "on the spot" repair when they fail and they are dirt cheep so new spare parts could be kept in the car.
If you are looking for reliability you need to sell the MG and buy a tan Japanese mini van. Everyone who keeps an MG very long, keeps it because it is fun to drive and learns to work on the oil leaks and brake downs and smiles about it.
Howard