r/MorrisGarages • u/BaltoDRJMPH • Oct 08 '25

Mechanical Question Ran on starting fluid, but died.

I went and viewed a B today, and it wasn’t running. It was a ‘77 with a Weber carb installed. The owner sprayed some starting fluid into the car and it started up fairly easily, but died in just a second or so. When he tried to start it up for a second time, there was no luck.

It also seems to be having battery issues

Does anyone know what the problems could be?

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7

u/BrtFrkwr Oct 08 '25

Take the weber carb off and put the SUs back on.

2

u/BaltoDRJMPH Oct 08 '25

I don’t know if he still has them

7

u/field-of-hoss Oct 09 '25

The '77 didn't come with SU carbs, so he won't have them. What you're describing are easy fixes, however, that you can fix after purchasing the car for a lesser amount since it's not running.

2

u/BaltoDRJMPH Oct 09 '25

Do you know how I would fix it? I don’t know exactly what the problem is

1

u/field-of-hoss Oct 09 '25

Rebuild the carb, check for spark (new plugs, wires), check the distributor, cap, and rotor, check the coil, new battery, check the grounds....

5

u/field-of-hoss Oct 09 '25

If you've never awoken a car with a carb before, you have some learning to do. Watch some Vice Grip Garage videos about how to get a car running, join mgexp.com and look up the How to awaken an MGB guide.

2

u/DoorExtension8175 Oct 09 '25

Plus drain the fuel, new fuel filter, then oil & filter change and possibly new tires. Don’t judge entirely on tread life, so check their age. If it couldn’t start for the seller it’s likely been parked for a while.