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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Mallorca Midget. Dissy needed

Hey guys,
just been to see the midget in the garage in Palma & he still can't fix the misfire.
He's pretty sure its the dissy, but I need to be sure 100% before I shell out for a brand new one. I want a 123 type with integral electronic ignition.

In the mean time, does anyone have a working spare kicking around that they could let me buy cheap to test?
If I was in the UK, it would be dead easy of course.

I will pay shipping costs to Mallorca, Spain.

Anyone help please?

cheers



Mallorcaben

Hope you can find a spare, if not I'd suggest you consider having your existing unit rebuilt by a specialist such as Jeff Schlemmer at Advanced Distributors http://www.advanceddistributors.com/ here in the US. Jeff ships all over the world and can tailor your unit with a curve to match your cam and induction based on his experience.
Bill Young

I understand what you are saying but its not worth getting mine rebuilt. Id just buy another, they are not expensive.
But, I want one with electronic ignition built in, like the Aldon automotive or the 123 versions. That would allow me to remove my dammed Lumenition optronic ignition which is nothing but trouble!
Mallorcaben

what do you have?
25d or 45d
i might have some back plates for points lying around.
those are mutch easyer to ship
Onno Könemann

I understand about the ease of just buying another distributor, but most new units are not going to be curved to best utilize the modifications on your engine. (I'm guessing that there are some other mods internally that match that DCOE) That's where a service like Jeff's comes in, completely refurbished like new and with a custom advance curve that matches your engine and mods along with the availability of a pertronix electronic ignition module if desired, pre tested and ready to plug and play.
Bill Young

Just buy a new dissy, you know you want to!

If that's not the problem then at least you've upgraded the ignition.

Come on Ben, help the economy!

Dave ;)
Dave Rhine ('78 1500)

Hurry up and get it fixed, -- i'm comming over at easter and I need a car to drive !!!!! ;-)
Mick - trying to sort the wiring

Bill - the 123 distributors (which Ben mentioned he wants) have integral electronic ignition and 16 advance curves built in that can be selected with a small dial. So can evolve as the engine does, whilst looking relatively standard.

Downside of course is that it isn't cheap - hence Ben wanting to prove the distributor first.

http://www.123ignition.nl/
http://www.mgcars.org.uk/peterburgess/123.html
Dean Smith ('73 RWA)

I'm surprised the garage doesn't have an oscilloscope to look at the ignition cycle - it's pretty basic garage equipment. But second hand MG distributors can be readily bought for about £25, or for a little more you could go for this which would be good for the curve you need.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/A-SERIES-MINI-METRO-ALDON-100AY-DISTRIBUTOR_W0QQitemZ160409127768QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item2559210b58
However it really makes more sense to simply replace the Lumenition with points to verify if the trigger has gone caput, before deciding if the 123 is going to be worth it.
F Pollock

Ben - excellent find from Fergus. If the seller wont ship to Mallorca I'm sure someone would be happy to act as a UK postbox. I went for an Ebay Aldon Yellow (complete with ready fitted optronic in my case) when I bought a reconditioned std dizzy...and it was worse than the one I was replacing.
Dean Smith ('73 RWA)

Ben -- If you want a uk delivery address -- with hand delivery to you 1st week in March I am available!!

news56 at hotmail dot com
Mick - trying to sort the wiring

What would be good if Mick is alright with the idea is for Mick to bring a known good dissy with him for you to try. Then bring it back when he returns, in which time Ben could have determined that the dissy was not perhaps the problem or what ever.
If you dont have a dissy then I am sure I may have one somewhere or someone else nearer to you would have one Mick.
Bob Turbo Midget England

I am willing to do so if its any use to ben, but I only have k series stuff so ....
Mick - trying to sort the wiring

When do you fly Mick? If I am the nearest then I will have to be quick to post it won't I?
Bob Turbo Midget England

wow, great response guys!
Yeah, point me towards a 2nd hand dissy.
Someone asked which dissy it is, I suddenly had a blank so picked up the Haynes & it says either:

254D4 or 23D4

It says 23D4 has no vacuum advance, mine has none but its been modified.

Hmmm

Well, I need one with no vacuum advance, so will a 23D4 be the baby?

The garage said they tried a mini dissy & it didnt fit????

OK, just had a troll through my photos, and found one when I replaced it last. I broke the collar of the dissy about 9 years ago (yes, I was racing!)
I got a mate to send me one he had kicking around. Photo shows its a 25D (attached)

more advice needed!
Once Ive got the misfire diagnosed, I will buy a 123 electronic version, but funds are really tight at the moment. I only work summer season here in Mallorca.
haha






Mallorcaben

if they tried a mini dissy that did not fit they tryed one from an A+ enginened mini.
try one from an older mini that will fit (mine is running on an old mini 850 distr)

if you want i can check if i have an complete back plate so you can change the internals.

how ever the conection block on the 25d is notorious for intermitent failures.
with a little diy you can usualy get it up and running
Onno Könemann

cheers Onno, but finding a classic mini out here is not easy!
Still searching for a 2nd hand dissy.
Mallorcaben

Ben,

If its any help I've got a dizzy that came out of my midget pre heritage rebuild.

Its actually a 43D4 (has vac unit)but engraved 41270 which is the correct number for 1275 midgets - think its a recon replacement. The 90 deg cap looks like its off a 45D4, fixing clips may have been modified to fit at some stage - this is a points unit.

It worked o.k when I had the car in the garage - not road tested - seems all O.K. Should at least let you decide if problem is with the dizzy.

Would need new set of leads and points to be safe !

If you want it I'll post it - either direct or to Mick.

Well its part of my garage clear out - LOL

Donation to RNLI appreciated.

R.
richard boobier

Richard, could you email me & we can talk
mallorcaben@gmail.com
Im in England the end of this month.
Mallorcaben

Ben,

you have mail - currently having a bit of bother with my main computer !!!!!!!!!!!!! so mail not picked up as quick as normal on the laptop.

Hope you received it O.K ?

R.
richard boobier

It could also be the black wire (or cloth) from the points. If that is routed wrongly it will wear the isolation and when the ground plate moves in advance it can short to the house. Engine stalls, ground plate moves back, problem gone. BTDT.
Alex G Matla

This thread was discussed between 03/03/2010 and 05/03/2010

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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