78 MG B GT...Running Rich?

[nathan_f]

Thanks for all of the information everyone! Lots to digest here, but a couple of updates. Did a bit of tinkering today after installing new plugs and making a failed attempt at installing new air filters (local parts shop was out and wouldn't have them for 3 days, so I just ordered the aftermarket filters from Moss). Decided to turn the mixture adjustment on each carb a quarter turn leaner, just to see if that had any impact whatsoever. Additionally, I noticed the little bit on the end of the choke pull that seats into the bracket above the cam had come out, and the choke pull was still putting a little bit of tension on the fast idle when it was pushed in. Re-seated it, and though I don't think it had much of an effect, we'll see. Anyway, took my wife out for a ride, as it was the first time she'd been in the car, and the rich exhaust smell seemed to be mostly gone, so maybe that little bit of adjustment helped on that end.

Still having an issue with it wanting to stall after coming to a stop, even with the clutch fully depressed or in neutral. I may try to pop over to the aforementioned shop between Huntingdon and St Ives to see what they can do. In tinkering today I uncovered the remains of a POs Laserline alarm system. I need to find a shop that can pull all of that stuff out, too. I hate knowing that it's there, just waiting to trigger at some inopportune time.

Mike: Thanks for that input, I'll check the oil in the carbs tomorrow morning. The piston in the carb seemed to raise and lower without a problem, but I'll take another look. I'm wondering though now about sticky floats, and if that could explain the warm stalling...

[Michael Barclay]

Hello Nathan
Glad you are getting to the bottom of the problems.Just to be clear it is probably the float needle , not the float that may not be seating properly causing the flaot chamberto flood. This happened to me last year and my car would not tick over , plus it wasnt goood for fuel consumption!
I forgot to add that the rattle with your gear lever is probably the cup bush that sit on the end ofthe gear lever. (P/No 22H15) Easy to change. Unscrew the gear knob , unscrew the 4 screws securing the ring around the gear lever gaiter. Remove the gaitor and this should give you acces to the 4 bolts securing the plate that holds the gear lever in place. once removed you should see the plastic bush onthe ball of the gear lever. This may have broken up so you may have to fish out the remains before fitting a new bush.
On last observation. In picture i notice the sealing ring is missing between the air filters. (P/No AHH6465)
Best regards
Mike Barclay

[nathan_f]

So I checked the oil in the carbs yesterday, and though I've yet to test drive it to prove it, that could have been my problem. The front carb had plenty of oil in it, and I just topped it off a little bit to get it to the bottom of the neck. The rear carb, however, was almost completely empty. the very bottom of the damper had a little tiny bit of oil on it, but that was it. I didn't have any SAE20 oil, so I just used the 20W-50 engine oil I have on hand (I've been reading that it's fine to use in that application...but please let me know if I've completely messed things up now).

Also, for what it's worth, the door lock issue was fixed. The bolt that pushes on the latch release paddle from the exterior button was extended too far, preventing it from latching completely and blocking the lock. That's now fixed. Though I did discover that the PO's previous lock on the nearside door isn't connected, which would explain the failure to lock from the outside.

As for the front fog lamps, it was just a matter of replacing a relay. The nearside rear fog lamp still doesn't want to come on, but I just need to trace some wires.

[Paul Scott]

Good Job

[Allan T]

I'd ring Beer of Houghton before actually visiting if I were you, so they're expecting you, and you don't start-off on the wrong foot. But if Malcolm doesn't pick-up, then be prepared for your first visit to only get as far as fixing a return, just in case he's busy. Malcolm doesn't do e-mail.

Mill Garage
Houghton
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire
PE17 2BD
01480 462034

If you can get there, consider Brown & Gammons

18 High Street
Baldock
Hertfordshire
SG7 6AS
01462 490049
https://www.ukmgparts.com

[nathan_f]

Thanks for the recommendations. Both Houghton and Baldock are about 45 minutes from my home in north Beds, so shouldn't be too much of a haul to get to either! I just emailed Brown and Gammons for a quotation, will ring Malcolm when I get the chance.

[Allan T]

I should have said in my first post - confusingly, improbably, you'll be dealing with two Malcolms - Malcolm Beer, and Malcolm Gammons.

They're the only Malcolms I know, so it's a bit unlikely they'd both be MG specialists. But they are.

Let us know how you get on.