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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - I got outsmarted by a girl.

Last night I went to see 2 fast 2 furious with the girl I'm dating, and afterwards while leaving the theatre, the car died. I coasted down a hill and tried to pop the clutch and nothing. Coasted into a parking lot, checking everything out, and couldn't make rhyme or reason of things. I had a strong spark when I disconnected the coil wire from the distributor cap, and I had fuel going to the rail. Timing was still good (pulled the cap and did a quick visual) so I was completely stumped. I had all my tools (except a spark plug socket) so we went next door to the local Meijer and bought a spark plug socket and yanked 4 plugs. They had some gas on them, but nothing serious. At one point I was cranking the car, and the girl was standing up front and said to me "is this thing supposed to be sparking?" So I went up front and looked while she cranked the car, and the coil wire was arcing between its rubber boot, and the upper coolant pipe!!!!!! I loosened the hose, and raised it up about 1/4" and the car started right up! I never would have found it on my own, and she didn't let me live that down either.....

Me thinks I might keep this girl around for a while,

Justin
Justin

Justin...KEEP HER.....This is similar to how I found my wife, Jean.

rick ingram
rick ingram

Dude, You HAVE TO KEEP HER!!! It's the principal of the matter!!!
Larry Embrey

Oh she does sound like a keeper. This subject also sparks (pardon the pun) an idea. Other MGB owners could test potential wives by taking them for a ride after preparing the car to have something go wrong and see she suggests a possible repair. If on the other hand she suggests replacing the car, it might not be the car that gets replaced.
George Champion

I've been married to the same woman for 33 years...when we were dating I owned an MGB, a '55 Studebaker pickup, & a '67 Ford Galaxie convertible....she had a Volkswagen.....right off, she told me I could have as many cars as I wanted so long as it didn't affect our savings program.....today, I have the same wife &:
1953 MG TD
1956 MG ZA Magnette
1959 MGA
1960 MkIII Farina Magnette
1963 MG 1100
1963 MGB
1963 MkI midget
1967 MGBGT
1968 MGC
1970 MGBGT
1974 MG Midget
1974- MGBGT
1977 MG Midget
2-1979 MGBs (1undergoing a V8 conversion)
plus: 1982 Mercedes 380SL
1985 Merkur Xr4Tii
1971 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1960 Morris Minor convertible
1965 Corvair Corsa
1992 Sonoma
anthony barnhill

I have another test for girls that is specific to my car. I have those subwoofers built into the door panels, and they definitely take up so me of the hip room in the car. If she can't fit comfortably in the car, she shouldn't be in there. (I know it's mean, but I'm young and I can scrutinize a little.) It still remains to be seen if I'll keep her around. I happen to like my freedom a LOT, and I'm not sure I'm ready to have someone intrude on that. Maybe I'll ease into that idea with some time.

On a side note, anyone have a suggestion for solving my spark arcing problem?

Justin
Justin

"On a side note, anyone have a suggestion for solving my spark arcing problem?"

Try buying her some flowers!
Joe Cook

Justin do not get married till after your 30 and never date a girl more than a year.
dbw

That advice is ridiculous. Getting married was one of the best things i've ever done, been married 3 years and am 25 with a 3 month old son. Still have time for my 3 MG's and the BMW and my wife encourages me in my automotive endeavors.
Jake

Woops, I didn’t realize you wanted any help on the arcing. You may need new plug wires and carefully follow the diagrams that show plug wire routing that keeps down cross fire. Use wire separators if necessary to keep the wires from coming too close together.
George Champion

I bought a set of msd super conductor wires and only got as far as replacing the coil wire.... no more arcing.... I'll get some wire separators and do things properly when I finish the rest of the set. (Idle is WAY more smooth now too)

I don't think I'll get married before 30 if at all. I'd rather finish settling into my career, get a life, have my fun, and figure out what I want before I give it all up to a woman. ;)

Justin
Justin

Justin,
I hope that you find one just like my wife and you'll give up nothing. Sweet, smart, hard working, loves cars and gorgeous to boot.
David

David wrote:

"I hope that you find one just like my wife and you'll give up nothing. Sweet, smart, hard working, loves cars and gorgeous to boot."

Same here! I've been married 33 years and I wouldn't have it any other way, nor would I have any other woman. My wife is 62 years old and still beautiful! And still just as sweet, loving, and caring as she was when we were dating. After 33 years, we're still on our honeymoon.

I believe Justin met my wife at the Townsend show and saw just how much work she put into making the meet a big success.

Few things in life are as satisfying as a good marriage; few things in life are as unsatisfying as a bad one.
Dan Masters

This thread was discussed between 23/06/2003 and 25/06/2003

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