[Mgs] No Go Mystery Solved!

[Robert J. Guinness]

And the ultimate winners are . . . the coil!

Kudos to Mitchell Andrus and Jeff Sienkiewicz. However, I think the 
original problem was a combination of fuel and coil. But after replacing 
the float needles and blowing out the fuel line it still would not even 
try to start -- until I put in a new coil. Purred like a kitten on the 
first turn of the starter. I guess I have to learn what the difference 
is between a weak spark and a good spark.

Many thanks to all who gave me guidance in my despair! It is wonderful 
that many folks take the time to share their wisdom and experience. I 
feel like I am part of an MG "Borg" ( a collective cyber/biologic hive 
intelligence for you non Star Trek fans).

Almost forgot to applaud Bill Bussler as well for his condensor and coil 
vote!

    At 02:10 PM 5/3/2016 -0500, Robert Guinness wrote:

    "While on a long drive in the hinterlands of KY in my 1960 MGA with
    a 3-main 1800 MGB engine, I nearly ran out of gas after about 170
    miles that day.  I found a gas station and refueled (the gas had
    alcohol and I usually run non-alcohol gas). About 30 miles later,
    the car started to lose power and then quit. Figured it was a
    clogged fuel line, but fuel was pumping out of the fuel line at the
    rear carb and there was gas in both float bowls. Cleaned out both
    float bowls.  Had spark from the coil and to all plugs.  Had just
    replaced spark plugs and gapped them to spec two days previously.
    Regapped points (1 year old 25D distributor). Nothing.  Sprayed
    starting fluid in the carbs. Nothing. Locals towed me back to town.
    Locals played with wires under the bonnet at the coil as I politely
    batted them away.  As a last ditch effort, I advanced the timing and
    it caught at high revs!  Drove a few miles, but lost power as I
    accelerated and stopped.  Stripped and reattached coil wire to
    harness.  Started, drove a couple of miles, faded, and stopped.
    Towed it home.  At home, it started reluctantly.  It drove for a
    couple of miles and it faded and quit. Gas  in rear carb float bowl
    but no gas at the front carb float bowl. Blew air from fuel pump
    back to gas tank with audible air flow at the gas tank.  Replaced
    the float bowl needle and seat at the front carb.  Fuel pumping
    nicely at both front and rear carbs.  Have spark from the coil and
    to all plugs. Static timed.  Nothing, doesn't even try to catch. I
    do not have a fuel filter other than stock sleeve in the fuel pump.
    No odd sounds. I am stupefied ( except for the possibility of
    clogged jets, but if so why wouldn't it start with starter fluid). 
    If it is the coil or condensor, why am I getting spark?  Why would
    advancing the timing get it to go at such high revs that one time,
    but normal timing gives you nothing at all, not even a spit? Do I
    have a cam flat spot problem? How have I angered the British
    engineering gods?  Any hints or diagnostic suggestions?  I have also
    posted to the MG experience folks"

-- 
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Robert Guinness

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