Pro Street Style MGB GT

[Andy Meads]

Hello Flying Phil. Any updates on the build? I was following it with interest.

I’m afraid I have neither the time nor the skill to rebuild an MG. I have one on the way from CCH in Hull, which I’m excited about. But it won’t be as fast as yours will be!

[Flying Phil]

Hi Andy
I'm afraid that I have done very little work recently.....a combination of cold wet weather, lack of "mojo" and a resurgence of railway related involvement.
I have even toyed with the idea of selling "as is" but I would like to at least get the engine running just to hear that V12......

[Andy Meads]

It would certainly be great to see it run after all that work. But best of luck with it, whether you decide to sell it or finish it!

[Flying Phil]

Andy
I have set myself a target of at least getting the engine running ....by the end of March....This year!
So watch this space - but your (and other peoples) interest is helping to motivate me so - "Thank You".

[Flying Phil]

Well the weather is warmer and so I have finally got out into the garage and made progress - I have bonded the mesh filters onto the ram pipes! Still it is a start .....

[Flying Phil]

....and a bit more progress as I have now got the fuel system(delivery) piped up. However I still have not put a fuel return line in. I think it is usual on downdraft carbs to reduce the chance of fuel vapourisation? The IDF carbs have the extra outlets, but I may block them just to get the engine started this month.

[Flying Phil]

The fuel return system is now in place and nearly finished. There is a black tube running between the front two carbs and from the back two carbs they go to a "T" connector and back to the tank.

I need to put more fuel in the tank to test it out - and get a battery to get the starter motor and ignition system wired up.

[Andy Meads]

Excellent!

[Flying Phil]

I have bought a battery and some more petrol so there is now fuel in the carbs! The engine also turns over on the starter....and I am looking at the ignition amplifier, coils and wires!

Rather than have the main coil and amplifier up at the back of the engine, I am looking at the idea of a plate to hold both coils and amplifier at the front of the block.

[Flying Phil]

.
Today I looked more closely at the ignition system on the engine and there are a couple of wires going to the distributor in addition to the coil circuit so I need to double check my wiring diagram. I was able to put all the other washers and nuts onto the carb mountings on the inlet manifold so another step closer....

[Flying Phil]

It Lives!!
With a collection of wires and temporary adaptations the MeGa BGT V12 Fired up for the first time. I have uploaded a short video on You Tube and I think this is the link.
https://youtu.be/oUgVghlkVgE

[Minemapper]

Any arm hairs left?

[Flying Phil]

Minemapper said:

Any arm hairs left?

I should have read your reply before going out to do a bit more on the B.

I've been Very lucky.....

A couple of the carb linkages needed adjusting so I took two IDFs off and got them sorted, put them back on and decided to fire up again - a backfire and the valley caught fire with the spilt petrol from the carbs.......Fortunately I got it out quickly without any significant damage. I will be getting another fire extinguisher and keep a bucket of water in the garage from now on!
I did then get the engine running again and we are now up to 10 cylinders working - it is beginning to sound the part.
But I need to get that extra extinguisher - a lesson for us all?

[Andy Meads]

Well, you made the March deadline! Well done. Sorry to hear about the fire, but glad there was no injury or damage.

By the way, it sounded a bit like a Sea Fury starting up in that video. It’ll sound great when it’s fully set up.

Keep at it.

[Flying Phil]

Minemapper said:

Any arm hairs left?

As I don't want to get singed, I am now looking at getting the two sets of carb linkages linked. I still have the original central Jaguar rotating disc system, which I might be able to adapt.

Thanks Andy
It is beginning to sound better as now 10 cylinders are working and I hope for all 12 soon ....but I don't want to upset the neighbours too often.

Edited by Flying Phil on Sunday 1st April 13:42

[Flying Phil]

I found the Jaguar rotating throttle link and it looked possible to use.


I took the top part off, removed the rotary throttle position sensor and the spacer tubes and put it back together.


It is now the correct height for the Webers.


I now need to bolt it in place and make suitable length links to the carb butterflies.

[Flying Phil]

The Jaguar throttle link wheel is now fitted. Needless to say it was not straight forward as I had to turn it through 180 degrees to get it lining up with the carb arms. That is when I realized the pedestal base is not level, nor were the bosses it bolted to on the valley of the block - they were about 3 degrees off. Turning it meant it was at a 6 degree angle! Still a bit of work with the hacksaw has brought it back to nearly vertical.

I have shortened the operating arms and joined the Weber fitting to the Jaguar end as the ball sizes are different.... but I need to get a metal tube (rather than the trial rubber tube!) to join them permanently. I also need to get the carb operating arms correctly angled.

[Flying Phil]

I've been working on the throttle mechanism to get even opening on both banks and a repositioning of the throttle cable. You can see on the last picture, the wheel rotates clockwise and the far bank doesn't open until about 30 degrees of movement, whereas the near bank starts to open immediately.

[Flying Phil]

After three months......I've been......Back in the garage and after a lot of searching I found a suitable piece of steel tube to replace the trial rubber tube on the throttle linkage. I fired up the welder and got the two threaded sections in place at each end. Repeat for the other side. I also removed and realigned the operating arm from the Drivers side carb to get the ball end more in line with the throttle quadrant. Now all the carbs open reasonably well together.




but now off on holiday.....

[Flying Phil]

Back from holiday and back in the garage to tidy up a bit - couldn't resist trying to start the "B" and it coughed on 5 or 6 cylinders ....then the battery died!