If the engine has been modified, its requirements for ignition timing will probably be different from standard. Also, the distributor itself may have been modified. What I describe below is
Run On
Run-on is a term used to describe what happens when the key is turned off and the engine continues to run somewhat erratically for a second or two, or even
Combustion problems and detonation
(Applies to any engine, but the B series is particularly prone to it).
Combustion problems caused by erratic burning and/or detonation of fuel rather than controlled and even burning shorten engine
Twin Carburettors
Forget the old myth that they are hard to keep tuned.
Twin carburettors have an unjustified reputation for being hard to keep in tune. It’s origins lie in the bad practice
Vacuum units
The vacuum unit works to advance the spark on part throttle in order to improve efficiency and fuel economy when cruising/at steady speed. At full throttle the manifold vacuum disappears
Valve Clearances
Maintaining the correct valve clearance is important to prevent premature valve train wear. Too tight and there is a risk that the valves won’t seat properly and burn out, too
Distributor advance rate adjustments: compensating for high mileage wear
The most common cause of combustion problems such as pinking in MG engines is not fuel as usually assumed (provided the engine is running on minimum 95 octane), but distributors
Setting Ignition Timing
The following notes are intended to supplement the information on how to set ignition timing (by either method) which is found in most good workshop manuals, with particular reference to
Introduction to tuning
All pre-electronic MG engines are easy to tune and hold no great mysteries, so are easy for owners who want to do their own maintenance to tackle if they go
Engine Mount Restraint
If you have a problem with
carburettors touching/denting the bonnet,or
engine mounts breaking under competition use
then read on …
On our Midgets we have put a restraint on the engine mount which allows
