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Q & A: 1977 MGB Emission Testing in Arizona

John:
Have reviewed your Q & A's. Like to ask this question. I have a 1977
MGB.
Have owned since 1988 and is quite nicely restored. I moved to Arizona
and
now must pass Phoenix emissions. I have all the emissions gear on the car
and all seems to be working. I have had the Carburetor apart twice in
last
2 weeks checking needles, O rings, floats, etc. This work was done by a
Carb shop on the bench. The spark plugs, wires and rotor were changed.
Problem is at idle the car will not pass CO and/or HC. It is close. Az
requires Idle HC of 250 and CO of 2.20 for my year MGB. My car is
presently at 243 for HC and 3.65 for CO. Problem is when we adjust the
lean/rich with the adjusting tool, the numbers swing the other way and CO
will be good but HC is not.
The mechanic I use is using a CO analyzer but not certain how reliable it
is.

The catalytic converter is on the car but is probably original and has
nothing in it. It is a straight pipe. My guess is this will impact the
HC
reading out the tail pipe no matter how lean/rich the Carb gets set? Also
it is noted that the oil does not seem to stay in the dashpot very long.
not sure where it goes.
The upside is this car has run very well for the last 14 years and has
received much TLC but new need to get by the AZ. emissions requirements.
Any insight you can provide will be appreciated by all of us who have MG's
in Maricopa county, Az.
Thanks. Happy New Year
Carl Mitchell

Carl!

Of course, the gub'mint doesn't want your car to run well, it wants
it to pollute correctly at idle. What to do?

The car runs better with advanced timing at idle -- but for
emissions, ma... read more