MGA Forum

Welcome! Sign In Register

Please Sign In or Register to Search

1500 engine issues

Posted by Ohiospider1975

Want to advertise your business in this space? Click here for more information!

Page 3 of 3

1 23

Topic List Forum List Newer Older Start New Topic

Re: 1500 engine issues #41
British Vacuum Unit Rob Medynski Canterbury, N.H., USA	Posted: March 02, 2012 06:14AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 89

Note; If the engine is rebuilt, at will run a little hotter the first few hundred miles. As it heats up it get tighter and will produce more heat.
New or older engines, check the amount and mixture of anti freeze in the cooling system. More that 50/50 the car will over heat. Always use a good name brand. Years ago I tested cheep anti freeze compared to good name brands. The cheep stuff needed 2/3s to reach protection where as the good stuff was good at 45 to 50% mix. More than 50% will cause heating issues and does not dissipate heat. I had a customer who called me with a similar issue after he installed the TD engine I rebuilt. I had him tow the car up and found the only problem was the anti freeze mix. He thought the more the better.
Check the distributor. Most need a good overhaul or at least a good cleaning and oil. I've had many cars run much cooler after cleaning and making sure the distributor advanced properly, the line to the vacuum unit held vacuum, was hooked up properly and didn't leak. Almost every vacuum unit we check, even if it holds vacuum, is found to have limited advance because of condensed fuel build up or a dry diaphragm. Some vacuum units are so far out of range they're almost worthless. The MGA vacuum advance unit, advances the timing at the crank 20 degrees. Loss of that much timing will cause hotter running conditions. You may have other issues, but when a car has a heating problem these are the first things I check and many times are the problems.
Good luck
Rob

How to advertise on this website

Vintage O.E. Lucas vacuum advance units – Canterbury, N.H. USA New original vintage DVX, DM, 22D & 25D Lucas Distributor Vacuum Advance Units 1948-70's

Reply Quote

Re: 1500 engine issues #42
David Pyle TX, USA 1958 MG MGA 1500	Posted: March 02, 2012 08:43AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 423

Rob,

Could it be? My repairer drained the water and added antifreeze. I don't know what proportion.

Prior to that with only water the car ran satisfactorily even in 100 degree weather rarely going beyond 190 water temp while running.

Cooler weather no problem with the water/antifreeze mix, but now with 80+ OAT when restarted after shutting down it runs very rough. During shut down water temp goes to 212+ and takes a long time to cool down. Simple enough to go back to water only and see what happens.

Sponsored Links. You can hide this ad & support this site by upgrading to a Gold Membership ~ click here for more info.

Reply Quote

Re: 1500 engine issues #43
Ohiospider1975 Warren Brown Ohio, USA 1957 MG MGA 1500	Posted: March 10, 2012 07:16PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 24

The MGA begins its trailer trip from Florida to Ohio on Wednesday March 21.

Reply Quote

Re: 1500 engine issues #44
michalakmj Mark Michalak Chicago, USA 1958 MG Magnette ZB "Hilda" 1958 MG Magnette ZB "Mr. Belvidere" 1960 MG MGA 1600 Coupe	Posted: March 11, 2012 11:26AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 285

Building off of what Rob said, the first thing you're going to want to do after you check out that water pump is start from scratch and give that car a complete tune-up. Get some technical manuals and read the BBS. The archives at http://www2.mgcars.org.uk have some good info. (Sorry for promoting another board here, but I prefer the search function on that board for archived threads.) If the guys at that garage can't install a wiring harness right and they're telling you it needs new relays then I'm guessing they also can't set ignition timing and balance carbs. The MGA doesn't have relays, by the way.

I would start off assuming that everything on that car is set up wrong and don't take anything for granted. This way you won't overlook anything in the troubleshooting department. Everything starts with the timing, so get that right and go from there. I think someone said it's hard to get the car to idle at 600rpm. Depending on your engine setup that may be true, but if you don't have your idle that low then the distributor advance weights will start opening up and will throw off your timing settings.

I've had my car overheat due to traffic on hot days and put that neeedle close to 230, but the engine never gave up on me the way yours is which leads me to believe that the overheating is the effect not the cause. There are cooling quirks with this car and there is a lot of information out there to help you overcome them, but first make sure the car is set up properly and then come back and we can bang out your other issues.

Mark

Sponsored Links. You can hide this ad & support this site by upgrading to a Gold Membership ~ click here for more info.

Reply Quote

Re: 1500 engine issues #45
Ohiospider1975 Warren Brown Ohio, USA 1957 MG MGA 1500	Posted: March 22, 2012 01:19PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 24

Transporter picked up vehicle today in Sarasota, FL. Loaded on flatbed for transport north. Insurance activated for transit. Expect the MGA to arrive Ohio Monday or Tuesday next week.

Reply Quote

Re: 1500 engine issues #46
Gary E Gary Edwards Kernersville, ,N.C., USA 1962 MG MGA MkII 1974 MG MGB GT	Posted: March 22, 2012 03:28PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,211

Should have left it in Fla until after the Key West meet then sent it north..

Gary

Sponsored Links. You can hide this ad & support this site by upgrading to a Gold Membership ~ click here for more info.

Reply Quote

Re: 1500 engine issues #47
eddweebic Scott Allen Lincoln, USA 1960 MG MGA 1600	Posted: May 17, 2012 10:38AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 7

On my MGA, I had a gas leaking from the over flow tube on the carburetor, and it was caused from the bolts being loose that attach the carburetor to the head.

Reply Quote

Re: 1500 engine issues #48
JimNH Jim Mail Nashua, New Hampshire, USA 1957 MG MGA "Camilla (the Other Woman)"	Posted: May 18, 2012 07:40AM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 2,652

I just re-read the very first post.

If the radiator cap is not sealed, wouldn't that explain all of the overheating issues? You need pressure in the system to keep the coolant boiling point high, esp. if he is running plain water.

I agree that the mechanic he bought the car from made some errors - but it sounds like all he needs a tune up and a radiator cap.

JIM

Reply Quote

Re: 1500 engine issues #49
TeamEvil / / Gone, /, Kiribati	Posted: May 18, 2012 11:17AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 1,443

Jim, why even bother . . . .

Reply Quote

Re: 1500 engine issues #50
Gary E Gary Edwards Kernersville, ,N.C., USA 1962 MG MGA MkII 1974 MG MGB GT	Posted: May 18, 2012 11:37AM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,211

Ditto

Gary

Reply Quote

Re: 1500 engine issues #51
JimNH Jim Mail Nashua, New Hampshire, USA 1957 MG MGA "Camilla (the Other Woman)"	Posted: May 18, 2012 01:45PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 2,652

Well - I want to see him get it sorted! We all learn this way!

JIM

Reply Quote

Re: 1500 engine issues #52
TeamEvil / / Gone, /, Kiribati	Posted: May 18, 2012 03:21PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 1,443

If you read the initial first post, you might have read the second post, mine.

I mentioned the pressure cap first thing out.

Again, why even bother?

Reply Quote

Re: 1500 engine issues #53
Gary E Gary Edwards Kernersville, ,N.C., USA 1962 MG MGA MkII 1974 MG MGB GT	Posted: May 18, 2012 04:07PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,211

The original poster has not responded since March.

Gary

Reply Quote

Re: 1500 engine issues #54
Ohiospider1975 Warren Brown Ohio, USA 1957 MG MGA 1500	Posted: May 18, 2012 04:19PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 24

I have been involved in engine issues since March. I was told mY 1500 need complete rebuild. I elected to pull and hold the 1500 engine with an 1800 engine with 4 spd over drive trans with 3.91 rear end. Pulled engine and trans, down to frame for powder coat and suspension rebuild.

Reply Quote

Re: 1500 engine issues #55
JimNH Jim Mail Nashua, New Hampshire, USA 1957 MG MGA "Camilla (the Other Woman)"	Posted: May 18, 2012 05:51PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 2,652

Warren - I hope whomever gave you the rebuild advice was telling the truth this time, and that it wasn't just the radiator cap all the time.

But, sounds like you are having fun doing a great set of upgrades...very cool. Post pics of your progress and share!

JIM in NH

Reply Quote

Re: 1500 engine issues #56
Gary E Gary Edwards Kernersville, ,N.C., USA 1962 MG MGA MkII 1974 MG MGB GT	Posted: May 18, 2012 09:26PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,211

Sounds like a great project. Did you plan on a total overhaul when you bought the car.

Gary

Reply Quote

Page 3 of 3

1 23

Topic List Forum List Newer Older Start New Topic

RSS

Add your reply here, or post your own questions!

Members Sign In if you've already registered, or
Register a New Account
Registration is free and takes less than a minute

MGB & GT · MG Midget · Buy, Sell & Trade · Vendor & Group Buy · MG Engine Swaps · Original MG · MGA · MGC · MG Magnette · 1100 & 1300 · T-Series & Prewar · Modern MGs · MG Motorsports · MG-2013 Event · Member Meetup · Other Vehicles · Off Topic · Clubs

Having trouble posting or changing forum settings?
Check the Forum Help File (FAQ) or contact the webmaster.
View the archived version of this thread.
Built using Phorum Open Source Software

The MG Experience

www.mgexp.com

MGA Forum

1500 engine issues

Add your reply here, or post your own questions!Members Sign In if you've already registered, orRegister a New AccountRegistration is free and takes less than a minute

Join Our Club

MGExp Menu

—

Adjust Text Size

More to Explore

Add your reply here, or post your own questions!

Members Sign In if you've already registered, or
Register a New Account
Registration is free and takes less than a minute