MG
The Classic Marque

Pencil lead, which is really graphite can be used to lubricate the bendix, as far as I know (just like using a semi-automatic rifle in hot climates where there is sand. . )

It's worth counting the teeth on the starter to ensure it has the correct number. The standard starter ought to start just about anything. The modern pre-engaged starters are better and arguably only essential when a...

You might want to check the specific type number of your 45 DCOE as they do vary. The difference is in the progression hole drillings though how big a deal that is I've no idea and perhaps neither has anyone else.

The other point about 45 DCOE is that some were made in Italy and later ones in Spain. Early ones have brass floats that are soldered to the float mechanism while later models...

Just got a new rotor arm.
Compared it to the existing and the brass bit is about 2mm narrower. Does it matter?
Why is nothing straight forward!
Going to try it anyway.

The top part of the shaft, where the points cam is, has to be able to rotate a certain amount, independently of the main shaft, in order for the advance to occur.

What are the odds that Nigel Farage has shot himself in the foot, and struggles to retain his seat? Even if he does, holding on with a reduced majority, reduced by a bunch of clowns and nobodies, must surely hole him below the water line.

How has he come to this? Until now he's played a blinder. Years with almost no mistakes. Sounds like he's lost his edge.

Has he one last triumphant...

Right then, I have an old distributor. Had a look at this and there is the same free play at the rotor arm end as there is in mine. What I didn’t realise is that where the rotor arm fits is separate to the actual main shaft. It is held in place by a screw up the centre.

Thanks all , yes I was expecting to see fuel squirting but I didn’t realise it would be that far in , thanks William. I was looking with a mirror as the trumpets are so close to the inner wing guess I could miss that. I might try a start up and see how it goes

Thinking more about the vertical free play, don’t think it matters in terms of having a spark at the plugs. If shims were fitted, between the drive gear and housing to reduce the play then the rotor are would still be effectively pushed in, if that makes sense.
Therefore think can forget that as the problem, unless I’ve missed something.

Just another thought.
There is no side to side free play on the distributor shaft but there is some vertical movement, is that an issue? need to try and measure it. What should it be?
Why would that just become a problem now?
Is there supposed to be a fibre washer fitted at the bottom end, could that have broke and fallen out. Does it matter.
I did measure to the top of the rotor arm w...

The acc. pump squirter is a long way in from looking in the front , it's way down near the butterfly, it could be squirting but you can't see it.
There are a pair of brass plugs on the top of the carb that hold the squirter in, if you remove the plugs and operate the throttle fuel should come out there,, if yes then the squirters 'might' be blocked, just pull them out and clean/check them---