Jeff Wilkins's Journal

After getting the Green B started the problems started to surface. I only could get 92 to 108 psi compression in the cylinders. To get the car to run the timing had to be set way advanced other wise it would pop through the carburetor and it really didn't start well. I was starting to realize something was not right with the motor. After spending too much time messing with the timing I finally discussed the situation on the MGBE forum and with my Uncle Larry. This is when I decided to do some detective work so I pulled the radiator back off and pulled the timing chain cover to take a look. Finally the truth of the matter was known. The timing chain and gears were not installed properly and from what I could see the thing had been thrown together probably to get it sold. The timing was retarded by 4 to 6 degrees and there was some hardware missing. Like the nut to hold the cam gear in place. So today I went to the auto parts store and got some loaner tools to pull the timing chain gears, reset the cam timing and put everything together correctly. When I did the compression test it was a big improvement. Now there is 152 to 154 psi across the cylinders. When I fired it up what a difference. It really sounds better and the timing can be adjusted much better now. It starts right up now. I am so relieved to know I can put the rest of the car together without having to worry about the compression and timing problem. I still can't get it to idle but that can be worked out when I put all the vacuum tubes in place and the air cleaner for some road testing.