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MG MGB Technical - Spitfire passed Smog

After 16 months, I have finally got the 1979 spitfire I am refreshing for a friend finished and passed California smog.

I want to thank all the members for helping me troubleshoot the multiple issues from the ZS carb, the Allison electronic ignition, and the bad new condenser.

I have been working on British cars since 1968 when I got my first car, and Austin America. This spitfire really challenged my diagnostic skills, and without the help of folks on this and the MG Exp web, I think I would have given up and sold the car for parts.

If anyone is looking for a nice, original 1979 spitfire with 55,566 original miles, that has new carpet, new top, new laminate on the dash, new dash pad, new chrome wire wheels, new water pump, radiator, luggage rack, SU HIF 4 carb, 25D distributor. I have one for sale.



Bruce Cunha

BRUCE, I followed your thread on the 79 Spitfire. I have to hand it to you for your tenacity. I too have had bad condensers straight out of the box. I've learned when it comes to electrical, do not discard the old parts if they are working. Just because it's new doesn't mean it's better.

I also realize these cars are 40+ years old and the electrical connections deteriorate. Replacing those electrical connectors have made a huge difference in many circuits of my car.

The past few weeks have again proved this out. The new rotor went sour and toasted the distributor cap as well. In the end I replaced the new cap and rotor with the old ones, cleaned up and replaced terminal ends at the coil.

At 14, my first car was a 1957 Anglia 100. Dealt with a distributor that was stuck in the cylinder head and wouldn't move. Rebuilt the Solex carburetor and smiled at the British spelling of tyres, and carburettor. Fun times.

Cheers

Gary
79MGB

P.S. Let me know if you want the air pump.
gary hansen

Good on you, tenacity and determination indeed.
paulh4

Bruce,

Congratulations on that you certainly earned it mate. Thanks for keeping us informed on you progress throughout, and getting back to us after you finally passed the smog test. Someone is going to get a well sorted Spitfire.

Regards,

Larry C.
Lawrence Cordeiro

This car showed me two things. One, a car that sits for multiple years, no matter how nice it looks, is going to need a lot of work to get it back to a nice driver.

Two. Without the internet, it would be very difficult to bring a car like this back without spending thousands of dollars to have a shop fix it.

Being in California and needing to get the car through smog made it a whole lot harder.

Thanks again.
Bruce Cunha

Nice one Bruce--congrats

I took one look at your car and it instantly reminded me of the Lancia Fanalone
Wonder why that would be
lol
willy
William Revit

This thread was discussed between 20/04/2017 and 23/04/2017

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