DAY 88
Okay, maybe there was no miracle, maybe there is not much progress, BUT! I re-keyed the ignition switch (as I do not have a key for the car)... well lets call it like it is, I am not lock smith and I do not have lock smith tools, so lets just say I can now use a 1987 padlock key to start my car... well I can also use a small sharp screw driver and possibly a widdled coconut husk... but I digress. BTW, if any one has any questions on how to hot-wire an MGB, I can say that I am an expert and all you need is bobby pin, almost any key and the bit of precious info that I have gained.

Today was the day that I was able (because of time, energy and boredom) to get a firm foothold planted in getting this thing started. I decided to remove and disassemble the starter switch (though I thought of just jamming a screw driver in the thing would accomplish the same result). I decided to take it apart and see how it worked before I started hacking it apart. First let me apologize the that did not take pic's of the entire ordeal... I am rusty as I have not posted in a month or so. However, I took a couple pics so I could remember where the wires go when I put it back in. So, feast your eyes and be apart of the experience.

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Tomorrow… changing the oil and Sat maybe a battery then a test fire with some fresh gas! BTW, I will video the test firing and so on. I would not cheat you, after all, we have come so far together, you and I.

DAY 89
Well, as it turns out I could not wait to do the oil change... It Friday and one has to party a bit, so I came home and installed the battery. I know I tend to go on and on and on and stretch out situations that can be summarized in a couple of words, so I will be brief...

I turned it over!!!!! OMG, it made noise, the car actually made f%&*^%G noise. Seriously, I almost screamed when I set up the battery and the wind shield wipers went off (BTW was a pain in the ass and included a trip to the Autozone). The wind shield wipers move, actually went through several rotations to the tunes of Margaretville (one has to have car tunes to stay focused). As I was saying, I hooked the battery up, the wipers started going, I turned them off, then... took a deep breath and turned the key.................... uhhh…… ahem.... nothing.

Hmmm...

Try it again, these things take finesse and stick-to-itiveness. Turn the key..... again.... again... again. again.... sigh….

Maybe I broke it when I took it apart last night….

I go inside the house, and notice that their are a couple ways it could go back together and try another way (understanding the complexity of the situation, I am trying to be a little more scientific than I was last night).

Everything in and installed again.... turn the key!

nothing....

Ahh crap, I pull the damn thing apart, go old school ballistic on this thing and use its' GUTS the make it work!

OMG, it turned over, it made the unmistakable churning beautiful melody of desire to live and breath once again… Wahoo!

It turned over!, It turned over!

That's was enough for today, it is getting late,
Cheers!

DAY 92?

Today I bought some starter fluid ($2.19). That's very cheap for what it got me. I did not pay $2.19 (plus tax) for the starter fluid. I paid $2.19 (plus tax) for a ticket to a dream. A dream that I may go home and spray the magic fluid in the slumbering B and spring it to life! at least for a brief moment.

After I made my purchase, I was wild with anticipation with repeated visions of the small 4 cylinder’s rumble in to life. The excitement forced my foot on to the gas peddle as I sped to the house(in a nature that is reasonable and prudent and within the posted speed limit). As I returned home, I prepped the vehicle for the momentous occasion and set up the camera (for posterities sake)

Chug, chug, chug, (micro sputter). I caught the first few on camera and then caught many, many more with no quasi start. As the battery wore down on the camera and no real hint of a possible start and I packed it all away.

The ticket of admission was well worth the excitement it gave me, so I guess it was a good day.

As I was exiting the garage I tried one last time. Chug, sputter, chug... vroom!!!! sputter, sputter, blahh...

ahem... Let's say I was surprised and happy and we will leave it at that.

I tore the house apart to try to find more batteries for the camera and got back out to the garage for another go around. Much to no avail and a dying car battery, there were no more start up's.

BTW, the garage was full of smoke from the mini start and the rumble was loud as the exhaust was running straight out of the headers.

So, it looks like this thing may start with the right prepping and today WAS a good day!

Thanks for being there!

DAY 107

This past week end I did a little work on the car, so figured I would share the wealth, so to speak.
I made a trip to the gas station and retrieved some of AZ finest fuel (9 octane as I was only getting 2 gallons). Brought it back in it's red plastic 2.0 US GAL container and enjoyed the sweet sound of the life giving fuel being delivered the dirty tank. I probably just poured enough in to make it made and not start anything, but it was the biggest can I had.

I then made several attempts at turning over the engine with no evidence of fuel gettinf to the carbs.
My past experience with MG's reminded me that they have electronic fuel pumps and not mechanical ones like older big block cars. I know that is under the car around the rear axel / battery box and soon discovered that it was quite awake yet. A few wraps with a large screw driver did not wake or change it's mind, so I will assume i will need a new one.

This week end, I will swap it with a new one that I will hopefully get from Checker or Auto zone. BAP is always expensive and other MG'ers tell me I can get one for $35 from the usual suspect's.

I will update on my progress!