New distributor

[67-2door]

I've seen someone selling brand new accu-spark 45D4 distributors on Ebay for less than £30, does anyone know if they're any good? Are they a direct replacement for the 25D fitted to my Minor so that I could carry my old 25D in the boot in case of emergencies.

[Alec]

Hello 67 2Door,

there has been a spate of discussions here regarding distributors.
Just be aware that the designation 45 or 25D is not the thing to look for, rather the application number stamped on the body. This gives the correct unit for your car. There are literally dozens and dozens (if not hundreds) of varieties and some will be miles away from what you need.

Alec

[bmcecosse]

Don't worry - Alec always says this! And - to an extent he is of course correct - but the differences really are small - and the originals were set for the happy days of leaded fuel - the stuff we have now is very different and will require different settings anyway. If you are buying from Simonbbc - the 45D (NON electronic) is a screaming bargain - just tell him which engine it is for.

[Alec]

Hello 67 2Door,

yes this is a common discussion between us, and while I do like to point this out, it is because there is a widespread belief that an 25D or 45D is universally interchangeable. They are not, and while fuel has altered it is the engine that determines the curve and that hasn't changed.
Your choice, but I put my money where my mouth is and have just sent my Triumph's distributor to the Distributor Doctor for overhaul and re-calibration and don't expect to see change from £150

Alec

[bmcecosse]

Geeeeeeeeeeeeeessss - you must be loaded (or mad!) Alec!!

Honestly - it's the FUEL that matters - different rates of combustion/flashpoint and most importantly - octane rating!

[Alec]

Hello BMCE,

you are right about combustion rate, that is what determines the advance and that is not just fuel but engine characteristics.
Octane ratings have dropped but the Minor engine doesn't require high octane anyway so is a bit of a red herring.
What I'm really trying to do is to help widen peoples knowledge and if some benefit then I've succeeded?

Alec

[bmcecosse]

I agree - it's just friendly 'discussion'! The ONLY way to set up properly is on a rolling road - creating a map of the best advance needed for all conditions. If I had the skills - I would have the Megajolt system in a minute! In fact though - I think Octane levels have RISEN - these cars would normally have been driven on 2 star petrol in the old days - which I think was barely 90 Octane ??

[67-2door]

Simonbbc always seems to be out of stock nowadays, but acc-spark on ebay is selling brand new complete 45D4 dizzy for £27.99, not genuine Lucas but made for accu-spark.
Even if it's got the wrong ignition curve I cant imagine it'd be much worse than an original with 40 years of wear ( which of course may have been replaced with the wrong one by a previous owner anyway!).
Just wondered if anyone had any experience of these new pattern distributors, what the qualitys like? I know some of the modern points & condensers that you can buy now are rubbish.
Cheers.
Neil.

[bmcecosse]

Sorry - not heard of your supplier (can you point us to him?) - I agree a new dizzy is 'bound' to be better than a 40 year old one - at least the vacuum advance should be working which is a definite plus point! Let us know how you get on - hopefully he offers a money-back guarantee?

[67-2door]

Sorry, I dont know how to put a link in to the distributor on ebay (if someone could explain that would be great) but the ebay item number is 170537859795.

[MarkyB]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 135QQfviZ1

[bmcecosse]

Excellent! I really don't know how they do it for the money - and that includes postage! They must have bought up a load of parts or old stock from Lucas. He may not have units 'tuned' to your car - whereas Simonbbc does tend to offer units specially for different cars - but of course - they could all be exactly the same ! But - if he's out of stock..... I expect this one will be fine - do let us know!