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MG MGB Technical - strange ground wire from plug wire

Hi,
I am George Higginson and I am looking to buy a 1974 mgb roadster. The owner passed away about 3 years ago and his wife is just now selling the car. It is in great shape. The widow says the engine was rebuilt and has very little mileage on it. It also has a weber carb conversion. The strange thing is there is a metal spring clamp attached to #1 spark plug wire with a wire running from the clip to a bolt on the firewall; a ground. Anybody have any idea what the reason might be for this? The engine is not running because it needs a battery and needs to be gone through before starting it after it has sat 3 years. Any ideas are appreciated. Thank you, George
GH Higginson

Do you have a pix of the spring clamp and the car?

Cheers

Gary
79 MGB
gary hansen

I don't have a photo. It is a spring clamp similar to an old style clamp they would clamp on battery cables.
GH Higginson

If this is a serious contender, I would check if the engine turns freely, make sure the clutch is not "stuck" and the car can move.

If these criteria is met, I would not be overly concerned about the spring clamp. I am sure the purchase price is "correct" for the car's shortcomings.

Where in Florida are you?

Cheers

Gary
79 MGB
gary hansen

Sounds almost like a rig for connecting a timing light. It is possible that it is not a complete - that is something is missing. Maybe it is a left over from that sort of connection, but never taken off.
My timing light clips to a spring-like piece that goes from the plug to the plug wire (rather than to the plug wire itself).

Pat
73BGT
Patrick Callan

"... metal spring clamp attached to #1 spark plug wire with a wire running from the clip to a bolt on the firewall; a ground."

Connected to the HT wire? Or just clipped onto the insulation? If the latter it's not anything I have ever come across on any engine, just take it off. If the former then it would kill cylinder 1 - a kind or 'immobiliser'?

It's wired all the way back from the front plug to the firewall i.e. behind the engine? Most odd. Could it be going through the firewall to something in the cabin?
paulh4

This thread was discussed between 10/06/2017 and 12/06/2017

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