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MG Car Repair/Questions

SubjectDate AskedExpert
MG Midget2/3/2012Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: Gentlemen, I inherited a1977 Midget that I am sorting out so that my wife can have some fun ...
  A: Larry, I was not doubting your reading of the number. I needed to see what the engine looked like as ...
Fuel Tank1/29/2012Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: I am redoing a 64B and after having the fuel tank redone/painted I can't get it mounted. I can't ...
  A: Sometimes when using new rubber strip packing it will be tighter so just put a longer bolt in or you ...
fuel gauge stays at half full1/28/2012Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: When I start my MGB [1976], the gas gauge needle registers half. It never moves to show gas ...
  A: First test is to turn on the ignition key and have someone watch the fuel gauge. You go back to the ...
1976 MGB Gauges1/27/2012Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: When charging my battery, the battery charge connector accidentally touched a bare wire on the car's ...
  A: When you have several failed circuits in an electrical system it is a waste of time to try to ...
vacuum/emission connections1/25/2012Barrie Jones
  Q: I have a 1978 MG Midget, 1500 with a Zenith Stromberg 1504T and I am asking where may I find a ...
  A: Does this help? http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=29286 Also, ...
mgb short1/23/2012Barrie Jones
  Q: Barrie, thank you for answering my question so fast. I forgot to mention that the interior, ...
  A: Yes. All the items you listed are powered off the bottom fuse. Obviously, you should first check ...
Wiring Short in MGB loom1/23/2012Barrie Jones
  Q: I have a 1978 mgb. I was installing a new alternator and forgot to unhook the battery. There was a ...
  A: I would start by unplugging the alternator. If that stops the battery from draining overnight then ...
mgb 1980 uk1/11/2012Barrie Jones
  Q: i have a mgb 1980 which hasnt been used in 5 years,been up on axel stands for this time,decided to ...
  A: That all sounds good, Martin. If you remove the plugs from the engine for half an hour, that will ...
mgb 1980 uk1/7/2012Barrie Jones
  Q: i have a mgb 1980 which hasnt been used in 5 years,been up on axel stands for this time,decided to ...
  A: Before you do anything else, you must confirm that you are getting a spark at the spark plugs. If ...
MGB Fasteners1/5/2012Barrie Jones
  Q: Is there any detailed information about fasteners, where used and / or descriptions such that I can ...
  A: Just about every nut, bolt and washer that you are likely to need is listed on page 125 of the ...
MG TF 2002 rear brake components12/30/2011Barrie Jones
  Q: I am having loads of problems with the rear brakes sticking and for ever taking them off to clean ...
  A: So long as you know the MG/Rover part number there should be no problem getting these parts. A ...
MINI Classic transmission gearbox12/30/2011Barrie Jones
  Q: I hope you will not mind me posting a problem on my Classic MINI (1985). I cannot engage the reverse ...
  A: I do not claim to be an expert on the classic Mini. Reverse gear lockout is for remote type ...
Sending Unit12/30/2011Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: I am grateful that you are generous with your time. I have a 1970 MGB completely restored, but both ...
  A: The fuel gauge is powered by a wire from the voltage stabilizer (10v) and if it looses power from ...
MG TD TF Gearbox jumps out of gear12/27/2011Barrie Jones
  Q: My MGTD jumps out of 2nd gear under acceleration. What could the reason be and what is the fix? ...
  A: There are several reasons why this can happen. Before you start stripping the gearbox, do a few ...
77 MG Midget No Oil To Head12/19/2011Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: my midget starts and runs fine but I have no oil coming up to the head. the PSI reaches almost 80 ...
  A: It does not hurt to spin the engine with the head off to look for oil at the oil galley hole. If you ...
77 MG Midget No Oil To Head12/12/2011Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: my midget starts and runs fine but I have no oil coming up to the head. the PSI reaches almost 80 ...
  A: First remove the rocker stands and pull all of the spark plugs and spin the engine with the starter ...
Coolant Leak into #2 cylinder on 1275 MG midget12/6/2011Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: A while ago, you were advising someone on how to find and fix a coolant leak on their MGB. Youa ...
  A: I would lay your head gasket on the head and note if the metal ring around the cylinder is close to ...
MGB starter issues11/21/2011Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: I am working on a 1978 MGB. The ignition was changed to an Ignitor from the original. The wires to ...
  A: The original system used a low voltage coil (aprox 6v) The 12v system can not operate a 6v coil for ...
Continuation of MGB Fuel Regulator11/19/2011Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: Howard, I could not ask a follow up question as we had reached the limit, so this is a continuation ...
  A: You sure have had a long road to travel with repairs. I can tell you how I check a car (an MG) that ...
MGB Fuel Pressure Regulator11/18/2011Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: Can you recommend a make/model of a fuel pressure regulator suitable for my 1980 MGB? I thought ...
  A: It is unlikely a fuel supply problem. As for smoke, you need to look to see where it is coming from. ...
MGB Fuel Pressure Regulator11/17/2011Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: Can you recommend a make/model of a fuel pressure regulator suitable for my 1980 MGB? I thought ...
  A: The SU pump normally pumps 1.5 to 3 PSI unless someone modified it. It operates by an electromagnet ...
MGB Shift Linkage11/14/2011Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: We just bought a 76 MGB. First off, (no offense to all the women out there), but I am a woman and I ...
  A: Shift linkage is not just one component, but is a series of pieces and it is unlikely that all of ...
77 MG midget brake pressure switch11/12/2011Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: Howard, I read you prior advise and it helped. Now I'm wondering...what would be the issue if I ...
  A: The brake warning switch just warns you that there is a different pressure on the front verses the ...
Rocker Assembly Installation11/6/2011Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: I am in the middle of replacing the head gasket on my 1980 MGB. I had the head checked and they say ...
  A: The new one needs a screen on it so it don't pick up trash and put it in the fuel pump and cause a ...
Rocker Assembly Installation11/5/2011Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: I am in the middle of replacing the head gasket on my 1980 MGB. I had the head checked and they say ...
  A: It is standard procedure to loosen all of the valve adjusting screws when installing the rocker arm ...
1979 MGB10/24/2011Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: I have just got a 79 MGB and had the weber carb rebuilt now The car will not start unless I hold ...
  A: First you must run a test. With a can of starter fluid spray into the intake and see if you can keep ...
75 mg midget trans10/24/2011Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: I have had an oil leak since i purchased this 75 Midget, towards the back of the engine. I just ...
  A: You are right the Spitfire don't have a seal there. The TR-6 does. The Spitfire depends on an oil ...
75 mg midget trans10/20/2011Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: I have had an oil leak since i purchased this 75 Midget, towards the back of the engine. I just ...
  A: There are no seals between the engine and transmission on a 75 MG Midget. There is a seal on the ...
Clutch hydraulics 74 MGB10/16/2011Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: Q: how can I access these, I heard it can be done without getting under the car? Is there a web site ...
  A: I have worked in several MG dealerships when they were in the US and I started in 1960 and still ...
"Grounded Fuel Pump'10/13/2011Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: I have a 71' MGB. Bought last August as a fixer/upper. It did run and drive, but ran very rich. Put ...
  A: You need to leave the pump disconnected and spin the engine to see if you now have good ignition. If ...
MGA tramsmission10/10/2011Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: I have a 1958 MGA 1500 roadster, that has been sitting for quite some time (almost two years). I had ...
  A: It is not uncommon for the clutch plate to stick to the flywheel and pressure plate when left for a ...
MGB Fasteners 9/26/2011Barrie Jones
  Q: Is there any detailed information about fasteners, where used and / or descriptions such that I can ...
  A: This is an incredibly complicated subject. I have a factory parts manual for the MGB, but it does ...
1976 MGB emissions9/26/2011Barrie Jones
  Q: MGB----2 door convertible------1.8l OHV 8v------Sept 1976 The SU fuel pump has been replaced with a ...
  A: To be honest, it would be much better to remove everything and fit twin SU carbs instead. This ...
1976 MGB9/26/2011Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: MGB----2 door convertible------1.8l OHV 8v------Sept 1976 The SU fuel pump has been replaced with a ...
  A: I learned early when working in MG dealerships that symptoms may lead you to a section but for the ...
1976 MGB9/26/2011Barrie Jones
  Q: MGB----2 door convertible------1.8l OHV 8v------Sept 1976 The SU fuel pump has been replaced with a ...
  A: I do have a few ideas: 1) Sounds like fuel starvation to me. Next time the engine dies, go to the ...
fuel pump voltage9/23/2011Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: Have A 1980 MGB it was running for awhile and it got real hot, due to a stuck thermostat. I shut it ...
  A: When you know that you have a low voltage at any load you need to lay out your wiring diagram and ...
MGB core plug size9/23/2011Barrie Jones
  Q: On my 1980 MGB how many core plugs (known here as frost plugs) are there and what size are they? I ...
  A: There are 4 core plugs on the 18V engine block. They are all Imperial size, 1 5/8 inches. There is ...
Sprite / Midget master cylinder adjustment9/19/2011Barrie Jones
  Q: I have a 1965 Sprite with disk brakes in the front, drum in the back. I installed a new master ...
  A: Both of the adjuster rods should be adjusted so that there is a little bit of movement before they ...
clutch problem?9/14/2011Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: 72 midget all stock setup. Basically, due to the gear box setup, I shift from neutral to second, ...
  A: It sounds like you have a clutch release problem with the hydraulics. Do this test, push the ...
Stuck Distributor9/13/2011Howard M. Fitzcharles III
  Q: Howard You've helped several times and I hope there is still some water left in the well. I'm ...
  A: The distributor clamp is a separate piece and it is held to a third piece that is in the block. ...

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MG Car Repair

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Howard M. Fitzcharles III

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Expertise

MG from 1956 (USA versions only) up and Engine theory.

Experience

Dealership line mechanic on MG, Triumph, Jaguar for 15 years, Instructor in commercial mechanics school 2 yr. Product information manager for piston and valve manufacture, Instructor & hotline answer man for import car parts importer 15 yrs.

Organizations
Associate member SAE EAA member

Publications
Import Car magazine

Education/Credentials
ASE Master Auto with L-1 certification up to 2000

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