Practically Classics Forum

I know nothing about the supplier and they seem to be shy about stating their prices on the site, but they do one for the Rootes 4 cylinder applications,

.....prices lower down on the page- they're in the US but ship worldwide, $158.99 including shipping cost-quite reasonable at current rates but could be a bit of a faff to sort out if it turns up damaged.

It sounds worse than it is when you see it in USD!

Actually, at £97.79 (Android currency converter app, right this minute), that might not be a bad buy. Have a good look at the US-based British car fora and see what people are saying about these.

mr rusty wrote:......could be a bit of a faff to sort out if it turns up damaged.

True, but the only real obstacle would be time, and I find that larger things than this get here within about a working week these days, depending on how close the seller is to Decatur, GA, which is where things go when the USPS loses them, or what we'd know as a sorting office. I'd be sorely tempted.

Surely, Kevin, you must be able to pick up a decent second hand distributor from a motor wreckers. Provided the centre drive shaft does not wobble from side to side [worn bushes] just about all expendable parts [points, rotor, capacitor] are available. The weights in your present dizzy can be re-used and the spring tensions can also be attended to. Try googleing Tuning the Lucas Distributor and clicking on it and also Distributor Advance Rate Adjustments -- there is a wealth of info on both. By using this info I breathed new life into the 45D fitted to my '76 Triumph with very pleasing results.
Be aware, also, that if you decide to replace with one of the later 45D unit that they were fitted with a vacuum RETARD unit which has the base plate pin fitted on the opposite side to the previous advance one.
I would also suggest that fitting an ignition resistor and resistive coil pays dividends on cold frosty days or when a battery is getting to its used by date.

Pavel

Pavel wrote:Surely, Kevin, you must be able to pick up a decent second hand distributor from a motor wreckers. Provided the centre drive shaft does not wobble from side to side [worn bushes] just about all expendable parts [points, rotor, capacitor] are available. The weights in your present dizzy can be re-used and the spring tensions can also be attended to. Try googleing Tuning the Lucas Distributor and clicking on it and also Distributor Advance Rate Adjustments -- there is a wealth of info on both. By using this info I breathed new life into the 45D fitted to my '76 Triumph with very pleasing results.
Be aware, also, that if you decide to replace with one of the later 45D unit that they were fitted with a vacuum RETARD unit which has the base plate pin fitted on the opposite side to the previous advance one.
I would also suggest that fitting an ignition resistor and resistive coil pays dividends on cold frosty days or when a battery is getting to its used by date.

Pavel

doubt any wreckers here would have any distributors fitted anymore.
the unit fitted currently is not a conventional distributor, it is a lucas item..same as this one for sale

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LUCAS-ELECTRO ... 8995&rt=nc

following some great advice from here, i have just purchased a brand new standard lucas distributor (quite a bargain).
I will run it standard points set up until the winter when I will have more time to convert it (unless of course it is running so well that it gets left alone!)

Kev

As I mentioned previously, I sourced a new old stock distributor that is pretty much an exact match for my Singer, unfortunately the seller would only accept cash on collection or a cheque. He lives too far away for collection, so cheque and wait for it to clear it had to be..not a great situation as it meant the car would be stuck in the garage and also meant I would miss a local vintage show in a week or so.
Got home today to a parcel...not ordered anything so, a bit puzzled, I opened it.
Without telling me, my old dad (a young 83y/o) had spoke with accuspark and ordered a new 25d4 electronic distributor as a stop gap until the other arrives..how cool!
So, into the garage, old unit removed along with the associated wiring. Engine turned over until the correct timing mark was indicated, new unit slotted into place and roughly lined up.
Wired up, including removing the connectors fitted and replacement ones soldered on. Vacum sealed up,key turned and....running like a new one!! so smooth. Timing light used to check stuff, bit of tuning and she seemed superb.
Set off for a test drive with RAC card and mobile phone at the ready and have to report that the car is running superbly well, very smooth drive, strong acceleration and so much more power when climbing hills.
Got home, a few small adjustments to mixture and tick-over and pulled a plug to check the colour...lovely and brown.
So, as a cheap stop-gap, I am very impressed with the accuspark unit (less than £55 delivered), not sure what they are like to live with long term but to be honest the build quality seems really good.

(a happy) Kev

Well done Kev, sounds like a result. Dads are cool, mine is 82 and only just got his first book published - the point being that our old folk always have the ability to surprise us**.

I hope you reported the eBay seller for refusing paypal.

**- My old fella told me that the book he'd got me in about at proof reading for him was for a friend of his, I never knew before a copy landed on my doorstep one morning that it was his!

JPB wrote:Well done Kev, sounds like a result. Dads are cool, mine is 82 and only just got his first book published - the point being that our old folk always have the ability to surprise us**.

I hope you reported the eBay seller for refusing paypal.

**- My old fella told me that the book he'd got me in about at proof reading for him was for a friend of his, I never knew before a copy landed on my doorstep one morning that it was his!

I rung him earlier and I think he was more pleased than me at it running so well!!
Many thanks for the advice too..help loads

Kev