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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - midget distributor

Is it possible to relace my electronic distributor on my 76 midget 1500 with a points style distributor from an earlier model? If so, what might work??
r.i. robert

Sorry I didn't see this post earlier.

Yes it is possible and apparently not too difficult.

I recently bought a '78 and a previous owner had replaced the electronic unit with a points unit. As far as I can tell the distributor I have is a Lucas 45D4.

Before I would go back to a points unit, and all the problems associated with it, I think I would look at an aftermarket electronic unit.

Victoria British offers several units for our engines. Of particular interest to me, is the Flame Thrower unit, found on page 27 of their Sprite/Midget catalog.

My distributor is pretty well worn out and I'm going to replace it, most likely with a Flame Thrower unit. I've used the Ignitor points replacement kits (which apparently this distributor incorporates) for years on various automotive, marine and industrial engines with no problems whatsoever.

Hope this helps...
Dave
DL Rhine

yepp...even a new one...try mallory, they got great dissys, and they are duel point for great performance...well as it relates to Points and condensors goes

Prop
Prop

Yes, the unreliable Lucas 45DE4 distributor and the later, much more reliable Lucas 45DM4 distributors may be replaced with either the Lucas 45D4 or Lucas 25D4 points type distributors. Best would be to find a used distributor from a Triumph 1500 engine (perhaps one from a 1300 would work also) as the drive gear would be attached and you would not have to change it over.

A distributor in good condition is the basis for any performance tuning. Often, older, used distributors have worn and will need rebuilding prior to use. This applies to distributors of any brand--they wear in use and, at some point, will need to be rebuilt. There is very little difference in performance between a new distributor and a properly rebuilt distributor.

As to a dual points distributor, do not waste your money on one for a four cylinder engine. The amount of time the coil has to charge, during the period the points are closed, is called "dwell" and is measured using a dwell meter. The dwell meter measures the number of degrees (in an arc) when the points are closed and the coil is charging prior to the points opening and the coil discharging into the coil lead, through the distributor cap, the spark plug lead and the spark plug, causing a spark which ignites the air/fuel mixture compressed in the cylinder. With a V-8 engine, which has about 28 degrees of dwell, the system breaks down at higher engine rpms as, while the dwell remains the same, the time involved becomes less and less as the engine is spinning faster, eventually reaching a point where the coil is no longer capable of being fully charged in the amount of time available for it to do so.

In such cases, the dual points distributor, which claims to extend the effective dwell time by the use of two sets of points, may well be of some advantage on a V-8 engine. But, on a four cylinder engine, you will have sufficient points dwell that a dual points distributor will not offer any usable advantage over a single points distributor when used on a road going, four cylinder engine. (It might offer some advantage in a racing engine. Might.)

Regardless of distributor type, if it is a Lucas made distributor it needs to be maintained in the manner noted in the factory workshop manual. This means cleaning it and lubricating it on an annual basis. This must be done to prevent excessive wear and ensure proper function.

The only advantage I see to the newer distributors is that many of them are made to operate for long periods without requiring regular maintenance. This is a point which may be worth investigating and considering.

Les
Les Bengtson

This thread was discussed between 11/06/2009 and 01/08/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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