What is this electrical thingy, and do I need it?

[Addicted]

I can't find any info on what this thing is.  It's in my engine bay near the clutch and brake master cylinders.  Can anyone help?  

[DiDueColpi]

That looks like its the voltage stabilizer for your gauges.
It's usually inside the car under the left side of the dash.
If you can clean the wires and determine the colours we can give you a for sure ID.

Cheers
Fred

[Moderator]

Have a look at this article and see if it sheds any light...
http://www.britishv8.org/articles/mgb-voltage-stabilizer.htm

[Addicted]

That's a good article.   I'll look for a voltage stabilizer in my wiring diagram and see if the wire colors match up.

[Addicted]

Checked out my wiring diagram, and the gauges all have direct power connections.  However, you put me on the right track.  It is the Fuel Delay unit.  It is a bimetallic switch to keep the low fuel lamp from flashing.   Power to the heating coil comes from the fuel tank switch, and it closes the ground circuit for the low fuel lamp.   Cool!   Thanks.

Wire colors:
Black- ground
Green- keyed power
Green/orange- switched ground from fuel sending unit
Green/red- thermally switched ground for fuel lamp.

[Moderator]

Cool! Thanks for the follow-up.