MGB stalled, won't start?

Question

I have a '78 MGB with a customized engine (cross-flow heads, dual HF carbs). It normally drives great.

The other day, it stalled when starting up from a stop sign and I couldn't get it to start. I eventually had to have it towed back home.

It still doesn't start. The two reasons are usually lack of fuel, or lack of (sufficient) electricity. The gauge said there was fuel, but I put in a couple of gallons anyway. I let it sit overnight. I tried starting it while jumping the battery. It usually needs the choke out to start, but it's just not starting ini its usual way.

It cranks but doesn't catch. The fuel pump is only a couple of years old, and I can hear it clicking. I redid the battery cables a couple of years ago, so they're in decent shape.

Any other ideas?

Other info: It has an electronic ignition

Answer 1

if its eletric than it has a coil pack take the wire off if is getting spark than its good if you crank the motor ove and there is no spark from the wire to the coi pack than thats it also it might have stopped fuel filter have you changed this

Answer 2

check the spark plug wires . see if its getting spark . do this by removing the plug wire and stick a screwdriver into the end of the boot. then have someone crank the engine while holding the screwdriver about a 1/16 to 1/8 th inch away from a ground see if you can see a blue spark . if so then thats fine . then check timing. take # one plug out and hold finger over the hole . you should hear it build compression then take the cap off and see where the rotor is pointing if it is pointiog to 1 ok. then check to see that the choke is not stuck and try the start again . hope this helps good luck

Answer 3

Just because an SU fuel pump clicks does not mean it's pumping. I use to sell them by the hand full in the 80's. Chances are it's the pump or a fuel line cloged with rust from the tank. Pull the fuel line at the carbs and check for flow into a proper container. Good luck

Answer 4

u need 3 things for a car to start: fuel, battery juice and SPARK. To check for spark take the coil wire off the distributor and ground it against the engine block (don't hold with your hand). have somebody try to start it while you look for a blue/purple spark between wire and ground. if no spark the coil is probably bad . if spark replace the coil wire and perform the same test with no. 1 spark plug wire. no spark the problem is the distributor or electronic ignition box. if spark its probably a fuel problem.

Answer 5

I have an '80 myself.....Try the fuel filter. I don't know if you changed the tank out when you customized the engine, but the tanks have been known to rust on the inside.

Answer 6

Does it have points and condensor in the distributor??

You lost spark more than likely. Could be a bad ignition coil too......

Answer 7

check for spark at the plugs.

Answer 8

Sounds like an MGB to me :)