Post by dave1800 on Aug 5, 2024 6:16:24 GMT
There are a number of replacement distributors being advertised on EBAY nd elsewhere that appear to offer exceptional value for money compared with a genuine Lucas version.
I found this video that compares one such distributor against a Lucas model used on early classical minis. While the reviewer concluded that the relacement had some advantages I was disturbed to note that it failed to stop advancing at the same rpm as the Lucas version and ended up some 20 degrees over the specified maximum! If driven at high rpm this level of over advance would very soon lead to broken piston rings and probably holes in the pistons.
If you choose to purchase a non genuine distributor you should at a minimum check that the total mechanical advance does not exceed that specified (30 degrees crankshaft ie 15 degrees distributor for a standard Mk1/11/111 crab) and that the advance curve follows the workshop manual data as close as possible. The vacuum advance mechanism also needs to conform to the correct specification if engine efficiency aand longevity are maintained. If you look at the Crab workshop manual you will note there are a range of distributors and vacuum advance unit tailored to the various engine specs.
I would as an alternative recommend owners consider overhauling their distributors, especially the 25D4 versions. There are specialists in the UK such as the Distributor Doctor I understand that some of you already have used for distributor spares.
David
I found this video that compares one such distributor against a Lucas model used on early classical minis. While the reviewer concluded that the relacement had some advantages I was disturbed to note that it failed to stop advancing at the same rpm as the Lucas version and ended up some 20 degrees over the specified maximum! If driven at high rpm this level of over advance would very soon lead to broken piston rings and probably holes in the pistons.
If you choose to purchase a non genuine distributor you should at a minimum check that the total mechanical advance does not exceed that specified (30 degrees crankshaft ie 15 degrees distributor for a standard Mk1/11/111 crab) and that the advance curve follows the workshop manual data as close as possible. The vacuum advance mechanism also needs to conform to the correct specification if engine efficiency aand longevity are maintained. If you look at the Crab workshop manual you will note there are a range of distributors and vacuum advance unit tailored to the various engine specs.
I would as an alternative recommend owners consider overhauling their distributors, especially the 25D4 versions. There are specialists in the UK such as the Distributor Doctor I understand that some of you already have used for distributor spares.
David