MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
Hey guys,
I bought a new Flamethrower and coil from Summit Racing (just under $200 for both btw). I took
my time, even watched the Moss motors video on installing a Flamethrower but it's not starting.
Installed the coil, that was a no brainer.
Turns over but won't fire. I'm stumped. I was very careful when installing the new one exactly
like the old one.
Any thoughts? I'm sure it's very obvious but I'm not finding a reason for it to not start.
Make sure you're setting the static timing first. An inline spark tester is handy here, but lacking that, you can remove the #1 plug, connect it to the plug wire and ground it to the head while looking for a spark. Confirm the engine has the #1 piston at top dead center (you should be able to see the piston through the plug hole) and start twisting the dizzy about until you see a spark. You can also take the cap off and see which way the rotor is pointing and plug the #1 wire into the cap near that position to expedite things. Once you've gotten a spark on the #1 plug, back the dizzy up counter-clockwise, then very slowly rotate clockwise until you get a spark again. Then back off counter-clockwise just a hair (technically, 10 degrees BTDC at the crank, which is 5 degrees on the camshaft ["half-speed shaft"]/dizzy), and tighten down the clamp nut. This should be good enough to start the engine; from there, you'll need a timing light to do the dynamic timing. Oh, while you're at it, make sure your plugs are gapped at 32 thou for electronic ignition.
I hope you have better luck with your flamethrower than I did with mine; the damned thing ground the interior mechanicals to bits within a few miles of installation.
Though I am no familiar with that one... it "may" be clocked 90 degrees different. Do the static thing and make sure 1 is at 1
Well, I've had a long and crappy day. I installed the new Flamethrower and coil, easy install (sorta, as what Moss Motors video described).
Hooked up the battery and smoke came out of the new dizzy. Fried it. Called Summit Racing were I got it and they quizzed me awhile but said that
it seemed they should of sent me a 3 ohm coil, I installed a 1.5. They are taking them back however.
So I tried to install my old Dizzy but I can't get the timing right. I've tried the Static timing but I can't get the dizzy to tighten. (see pic)
Has anyone have this problem. The dizzy won't go far enough down in order for the "clamp" for a better word, to tighten it.
I could tell it had been over-tightened when I removed it. Is this typical? Any suggestions?
My car was running great, why in the h*ll did I mess with it. Ugh.
m
After looking at that pic of the old dizzy, I know what you're thinking, I pulled the dizzy out far enough to show the area that I was referring to. It goes
in and lines up ok, just can't tighten.
The way the clamp is bent inwards at the top near the bolt it is possible it is bent too much to pinch the distributor. You could try removing the clamp from the car and try fitting it to the distributor to see if it is closing enough. If not you may can bent the clamp back to shape. If not you may need a clamp. The two bolts that hold the clamp to the block are not tightened down all the way are they? That could hold the clamp open while you are trying to close it.
Bryan,
My collar is completely straight. I'm sure someone over-tightened it at some point. I'm not sure what how the collar should look. I photoshopped a
graphic. Is this the way they should look?
You may want to pull the clamp from the engine and put it on the distributor and check it to see if it is
round and fits fully up on the shoulder so it can grab the housing. You can also tighten it and see if it is going
to fit and work off the car much easier. As all have said, do not overtighten it.
The collar does fit over the dizzy but it still has a small gap between the collar and the block. It seems as if the dizzy should go down just a bit more.
The clamp may have an issue and that is why it looks like someone tightened it too much.
You may want to get a new clamp. Remove the clamp and see if the dizzy goes in all the way.
Take a hammer to it and get it straightened out. The bolt appears to be bent, so replace that also.
"someone over tightened the clamp" 2X
twist the dissy shaft 180 and try again. they really only go in one way properly....
you may not be on TDC but 180 out
If I take the clamp off the block the dizz still doesn't go in far enough for the collar to get a hold of it. I'm wondering if I should find a new clamp.
Did you check to see if it was out by 180 degrees? It will only drop all the way in one way.
Distributor will not seat properly
When I installed a new distributor the clamp would not let the dizzy set all the way down. I just took the champ off and using a vise to hold the clamp I spread it open a small amount using a big a@$ screw driver.
Finally! Per your guy's suggestions, I did some tweaking to the dizzy clamp and now it goes on as it should.
The dizzy seats properly and once I did a static timing, she runs really well. Now, I think I'll not worry so much about
getting a electronic dizzy and worry about the other 1000 things she needs!
Thanks for all your advise!
Mark
