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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Distributor Lucas 43D

Hi everyone,
I have heard a lot recently about the 43D distributor in improving the performance of the XPAG engine. Peter Edney sells one on his website and claims 'improved ignition curve gives a smoother idle and increased performance between 2K and 4K rpm'

But at £295 is quite expensive. Any idea what curve he would be using. There is a lot in the archives on curves but nothing I could find relating to the 43D.

I also read in the archives that somebody changed the curve on his Petronix electronic ignition,is this possible?

Cheers,

David.
David Tinker

If you might be considering spending that amount perhaps you should ask him. Of course, it might be a "trade secret".

If you do, let us know his reply.
G.E. Love

David - You might contact Jeff Schlemmer at Advanced Distributors http://www.advanceddistributors.com/ and see what he can do for you. At £295 you could afford to send several of the stock distributors over here to Jeff for restoration. If you know the advance curve, I believe that Jeff can match it for you - worth an e-mail. Cheers - Dave

PS. Jeff does really good work at a reasonable price.
David DuBois

Jeff did my Distributor recently, and I am very pleased. The job was relatively inexpensive and done quckly, but post costs to the USA are a pain.

However you might want to talk to Distributor Doctor in the UK who was also very helpful, and his web site seems to show a high level of information. He appears to be the maker of the red rotor arms, though that may just be a wording illusion.

IanB
Ian Bowers

Can anyone explain to me how a significant and expensive modification to the T-Type distributor can increase the performance of an engine that only produces 32 bhp at the rear wheels. If it was possible to got 10% or 3 bhp I don't think you would notice it. TF 6688 idles just fine on its 30,000 mile old points.
295 Quid, money down a rat hole.
colin stafford

Thanks everyone,
Ian,I have emailed the Distributor Doctor here in the UK and asked him the question, his reply was 'if its not quantified, I can't possibly assess it'

When you had your distributor repaired by Jeff was it a 43D or the standard xpag. How did the overall cost compare with having the same job done in the UK.

Dave B, that is the problem and I have no idea what the advance curve should be. It is probably the result of a lot of work on a rolling road. When I spoke to Peter Edney about his 43D he claimed a 15% increase in power. Maybe if all my birthdays come at once I will bite the bullet and buy one but it sure will make my eyes water.
Cheers,

David

David Tinker

I attempted to have Jeff rebuild the distributor in my TF-1500 but he couldn't do anything for it saying that it had been rebuilt once before and there just wasn't enough left for another rebuild. After we discussed how I drive it etc.. he suggested that maybe he could rebuild a 45D and change the drive dog to the gear drive and I said go for it. A couple of days later, my "New" distributor arrived in the mail and I installed it and that TF-1500 has never run that good for me. Couldn't be anymore satisfied. Jeff is the man.

Cheers - Dennis
D L Rainey

Dave

The distributor is on a late MarkII TD, and the bushes were worn badly at 70,000 miles, so the running was a erratic, and the rotor arm was wearing gouges out of the contact on the distributor cap. It was difficult to set at TDC due to the play.

Geoff rebushed, repaired and centered the drive, and (I understand) changed the advance springs and weights. The distributor is now set at 10degBTDC and the car cold start, and the acceleration pick up from standstill is improved (though it severely tests the 1st gear dogs and the gear stick has to be held in place to avoid jumping out. Previously top revs were around 6,200 now I can get her to 6,500 on the flat in 4th.

Incidentally on the TF1500 I have the pertronix set-up. This workd equally well, but the TD is kept visually original (well, Stage 2, 1500cc, balanced and toughened c/shaft and a lightened flywheel with Ford clutch) and the TF lightly modified for touring (5 speed g/box).

HTH

IanB
Ian Bowers

David,
I bought a 43D from Peter's father, George Edney a few years ago and have it fitted to my TD. I think it cost me about £100 then. Peter seems to provide a good service and back up for our cars - albeit at a price. I wouldn't pay £295 for a pretty standard distributor.
Last week I bought a brand new 45D for my Magnette (MGB engine)from David Manners in Oldbury (0121-544-4444). This was on offer and cost me thirty quid !
I got it home and compared it to the TD distributor.The body is identical aprt from having an easily removed vacuum advance. The cap / rotor / points are all identical. I would say both distributors were made by the same manufacturer. I did not remove the base plate to look at the springs and weights.
My guess is that you could spend thirty quid on one of these and get Aldon automotive or someone like them to put your spiral drive on as well as set up the appropriate advance curve for a fraction of £295.
David








D J Burgess

Hi David, Many thanks for that information. So the 43D is almost identical to the 45D. Any chance of a picture of both distributors?

Regards,

David
David Tinker

OK here is the bottom line.
What you want is a static timing of 12- 16 degrees of initial timing, engine off 0 RPM. 34-36 degrees or so total mechanical advance at 3,000 RPM.All advance in at this point.About 32 degrees for a blower appilcation. This requires a distributor advance of about 11 degrees for a normaly aspirated engine or about 9 distributor degrees for OK here is the bottom line.
What you want is a static timing of 12-16 degrees of initial timing, engine off 0 RPM. 34-36 degrees or so total mechanical advance at 3,000 RPM. All advance in at this point. About 32 degrees for a blower application. This requires a distributor advance of about 11 degrees for a normally aspirated engine or about 9 distributor degrees for a blower engine.
I had Advanced Distributors do a few for my customers, & I have done a few my self. A stock distributor starts with (TD 32 degrees), TF 25 degrees) which means that you are about 12 degrees retarded at start up to about 3,000 RPM, or too much advance if you have the static timing at about TDC or 0. degrees. All that is needed is to weld the holes in the advance plate to limit the amount of mechanical advance, & use a weaker advance weight spring. Check by using a degree wheel mounted to the distributor body, & rotating the rotor, / mechanical advance.a blower engine.
I had Advanced Distributors do a few for my customers, & I have done a few my self. A stock distributor starts with (TD 32 degrees), TF 25 degrees)which means that you are about 12 degrees retarded at start up to about 3,000 RPM, or too much advance if you have the static timing above TDC.
Len Fanelli

This thread was discussed between 31/07/2009 and 09/08/2009

MG TD TF 1500 index

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