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Best electronic distributor for 1275 MG Midget

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 12:03 am
by glokkk
Hello all from Australia. Can experienced members suggest what electronic distributor l should be looking for please? I have aquired an MG Midget 1275 engine, completely reconditioned, but unassembled. :roll: thank you in anticipation,
Peter

Re: Best electronic distributor for 1275 MG Midget

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 10:37 am
by oliver90owner
Before the few come on here and recommend only what they use.

You pays your money and takes your choice!

Modern, cheap modules can (and some will) fail. Replacement of the whole assembly would be needed as they are not repairable.

Your modus operandi is not detailed - there are ‘cooking’ systems - and competition type systems available for those interested.

I made my own capacitive discharge ignition, from a kit, back in the 1970s. It worked admirably up to approaching 6000 rpm, on a four pot motor. It ran perfectly for several years until its shortcoming became a bit of a nuisance at times! I re-selected it when I slowed down a bit and used it until I changed my car.

The simple initial advantage was that it was a simple change, back to the Kettering ignition, by operating two switches. The kit-build was in ETI magazine sometime in the early 70s. I have copied it somewhere, but doubt I’ll ever need it as my normal road car is now a BEV.

Re: Best electronic distributor for 1275 MG Midget

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 2:57 pm
by glokkk
Thank you, interesting reply.
Apologies for not giving more info initially.
My 1275 will end up with mild performance for road use. Single 1.5 SU on alloy inlet manifold, marina exhaust manifold, cam is reported to be RE266 (Russell Engineering), rollmaster duplex timing chain, and head is an 11 bolt 940 item, larger valves fitted & hardened seats. I have a Toyota T50 five speed and Dellow bellhousing, and 3.9 diff to complete the project.
So my question is what can anyone recommend by way of reliable electronic distributor, presumably based on members experience? Looking at similar threads on this forum, l am still uncertain what item to select. :wink:

Re: Best electronic distributor for 1275 MG Midget

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 3:44 pm
by philthehill
My distributer is an Aldon item (equivalent to a Lucas 23D4) without vacuum advance and is fitted with a Lumenition Optronic electronic system. It has a Lumenition coil. It also has a electronic rev limiter set to 7500rpm.
It has given faultless performance over several years and has been known to rev to 10.000 rpm such is the need for the rev limiter.
Therefore I can recommend the Lumenition Optronic electronic. The only down side is that it is not a cheap kit. But you gets what you pay for.

Re: Best electronic distributor for 1275 MG Midget

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 6:12 pm
by glokkk
Thank you Phil. Most helpful