There are only two problems that cause black spark plugs; 1) oil fouling 2)
fuel too rich.
Check your carb floats and needles.
Ron Sanborn
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert J. Guinness" <guinness@stclegal.com>
To: "MG List" <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 4:21 PM
Subject: [Mgs] MGA sputtering engine
> As usual, I am mystified by my MGA. On a recent trip, it began to sputter
> and die. I could start it again, and go a short distance by pumping the
> gas pedal in unison with its dieing sputters. Now the car will only
> intermittently start. If I rev the engine and hold the gas pedal
> constant, the engine will run rough for a few seconds and then the revs
> will drop steadily until it dies.
>
> I changed the spark plugs which were black and went to a hotter plug
> (Autolite 63 gapped to .35). I re-timed the engine (twice). I had
> replaced the points,and rotor about a month ago. The car ran great when I
> installed the new points so I know I installed them correctly. The
> condenser is from last Spring. I had reported to the list recently that
> the cam block on the points on this car had worn in just a few months so
> that they hardly opened. Barney Gaylor suggested testing the coil to see
> if it was a ballister type, which it was not. I replaced the ground wire
> on the distributor about a year and a half ago and inspection shows it is
> in good condition.
> I had problems last year with a reconditioned head that the machine shop
> had failed to lap the bronze guides. The problem seemed to work itself
> out.
>
> I am getting gas. And my rudimentary spark plug tested from HF says the
> plugs are sparking. Compression shows all four cylinders within 5 lbs of
> each other (@125)
>
> This is a 1963 MGB 3-main engine with the original MGA carbs.
>
> For what its worth, the "rear seal" on the engine has began to leak about
> 4 months ago. I attributed this to a really nackered U-joint messing up
> drive shaft.
>
> How should I go about diagnosing and repairing this problem. Could it be
> the condenser? The camshaft? Valves? Bearings (rear seal leak)?
> Vengeful gods?
>
> Thank you.
> --
> Robert Guinness
>
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