[joegrgraham]

Thanks Neil!
I tried to find you, but couldn’t remember your username!.
Joe

[joegrgraham]

Its now in the shed, time to start the shopping list.Can someone let me have Neil Jarrets contact details please.
Thanks,
Joe.

[joegrgraham]

UPDATE
The Bantam is alive!!!!
I reset the timing for the umpteenth time, new plug and away she went!.
So, many thanks to everyone who took the time to contrubute to this thread, I think a little bit of everyones advice went into this one.
She is running in the picture, the ground has already been Merry Tilled, and is currently wetter than an otters pocket, so not really a fair test.
Thanks again,
Joe

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[joegrgraham]

Thanks expeatfarmer,
That’s some very useful advice, I’m completely new to MGs, so any advice is gratefully received.
Joe.

[joegrgraham]

Where is the best place to get a manual for the MG2?.
I got her running tonight, having trouble getting into gear though. I can’t seem to get the revs down without it stalling, plus I think the clutch springs may need replacing, so a manual will be useful.
Thanks,
Joe.

[joegrgraham]

Evening all.
Now it has finally stopped raining, I’ve just been out and had a proper look at my prize.
The only issues I have found are,
A couple of missing track rubbers.
A fragile HT lead.
Incontinent drive hubs (would these be cork/fibre seals?)
One fixing bolt ‘ear’ is broken off the inlet manifold.
General age/neglect related stiffness/seizure (track tensions, lifting chain etc).
So, all in all, I’m very happy with my deal (I did a swap for a dead tractor).

One thing I did learn yesterday, going down Crickley Hill on the A417 into Gloucester, with a twin axle, unbraked trailer, carrying a 2 ton tractor, on the back of a Land Rover with, well, Land Rover brakes! is what can be classed a ‘brown-trouser’ moment!!

[joegrgraham]

Pic of toolbar, missing one depth control assembly and the rear bar, not sure about the plough affair…

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[joegrgraham]

It has come with the remains of a tool bar which I may be able to cobble something together with.

[joegrgraham]

Hopefully it will come to Lotmead, it drove onto the trailer, just needs a service and a bit of a workout.
It is serial number 551, which I think makes it 1940?.
Joe.

[joegrgraham]

Mine was also from weah. Likewise, i deleted it.

[joegrgraham]

Stuart,
That’s interesting you mentioned that, my engine has had a +040thou rebore, so will that affect the timing settings?

[joegrgraham]

From day one with this machine, the carb has been ‘difficult’.
Looking at the american websites, the FloJet carb has a pretty bad reputation, the alloy casting of the body is pretty poor (it is a wartime machine) and none of the needles and butterflies fit snugly, everything flops about a bit, I think a number of small innaccuracies make for one big problem!.
I remember reading somewhere of an alternative carb that can be fitted, just cant remember what.
Next step I think is to measure the port and bolt centres, and start searching for an alternative.

[joegrgraham]

Hi Charlie,
That’s my next move, I remember an article in Tractor magazine where he was chasing a similar problem in a Barford atom.
Joe.

[joegrgraham]

Afternoon,

Had a quick look today, tried the suggestions, and not a sausage on the spark front.
Back into the magneto for a look…………
At least I’m becoming adept at stripping a villiers engine!

[joegrgraham]

Afternoon everyone,

Spent some time with the Bantam today.
Put her all back together, pulled the rope, cough, pulled again, and she fired!!!(briefly).
Pull again, cough, pull, pull, pull, rope slips, hit hand on vice, say bad words, pull and nothing!
Plug out, no spark. Throw away plug, try a different one, nice blue spark. Plug in, pull and nothing!.
With the plug resting on the top of the head and spinning the engine with a drill, I get a nice fat spark for the first few revolutions, it then becomes intermittent before disappearing completely.
Is this likely to be duff plugs (I am just using old ones out of the spares box for now) or do I need to go back into the magneto?

On the plus side, the Merry Tiller had a new belt and pins today, so at least that’s back in action, if it ever dries up!.

Joe.

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