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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 - Pertronix

I am about to install a pertronix ignition system in our TF 1500. The distributor has a high lift cam and the system is negative ground. Others I have talked to give Pertronix rave reviews The only installation problem I have heard is that the rotor occasionally needs filing to get things to fit. Would appreciate hearing about your experience.
Many thanks.
M Prince

I have an XPAG and had no problem with the Pertronix.no problem with teh rotor either. Read the directions, hook it up backwards and you fry it..
Tom Maine (TD8105)

Hi Tom, I installed the Pertronix in my TD about a year and a half ago. It was straight forward, , with no problems. It's been running great and according to John Twist you gain 2HP just by installing it. Cheers, Phil
Phil Atrill

Huge improvement in starting, and consistent great running. Have run one in my TD for several years, and recently helped install one in a TC. Had to file the rotors down in both. We used cloth electrical tape to wrap the plastic lead wires and cloth braided wire (from British Wiring) to make the coil ground wires to pretty much disguise it. I do keep a points plate ready just in case, as some had had failures. IMHO, when points are brand new they are great, but it is down hill from there as they burn and the rubbing block wears. Also wear in the ditributor shaft/bushings will really make the timing flit all over the place. George
George Butz

Mr. Prince
I installed Pertronix in my TF last year. No trouble at all and, as others said, improved starting and maybe better performance.
I made no modification to my rotor, and honestly, I cannot imagine what would need to be done to the rotor. Did you guys file down the base of the rotor or the brass contact??

Tom
Tom Norby

M Prince,

I had a problem with my "Petronix" installation and received considerable help from the members of this forum. I would suggest that you go to the "archives" and type in "Petronix Problem". The full story is there, and it will give you a better understanding of what can happen. Once the problem was resolved, the distributor did everthing everyone says it should. If you run into some other problem, come back and let us know what it is. The resources are here.

George Raham
George Raham [TD4224]

I swapped mine out to a petronix about 5 years back. Love it. I still have a full base plate and points in my spares that I carry with me, but have never had to switch to the old system yet.
Bruce Cunha (1950 TD 4139)

The new Pertronix has arrived, but it is not yet installed. I would like to confirm that I have received the right one. The Pertronix number on it is LU-146. Is this the correct model for neg ground and high lift cam?

Maany thanks again,
Ben
M Prince

M. Prince, Pertronix has a tech help line (800-827-3758) which may be able to confirm your model number,and other specs. They also have a web site: pertronix.com Cheers Phil
Phil Atrill

Ben It's the one I have in both my "T" series cars which are both negative ground.
Cheers,
Bob
Bob Jeffers

Tom, on both my TD and friend's TC, the black magnet collar would not let the rotor seat all the way. It held it up so much the distributor cap wouldn't seat onto the dizzy body. Had to file/sand/grind about 1/8" off of the base to allow it to press down far enough. Both cars had very old rotors (not the junky new ones) and original Lucas logo/emblem caps. Not a big deal at all. George
George Butz

One more question on the Pertronix. I have always timed statically. I am told that dynamic timing is required with the Pertronix. Is this true? Is strobe light timing required? If so, how many degrees BTDC at what RPM for the XPEG?

Thanks again,
Ben
M Prince

Ben, The instructions say to set the timing in the conventional manner, after you have started your engine.
I statically timed my engine after installing the Pertronix to 0 deg TDC, before starting the motor, just to get it at a good start point, then dynamicaly timed the ignition to 5 deg BTDC at 900 RPM. Phil
Phil Atrill

Ben, http://www.ttalk.info/Tech/pertronix_igniters.htm has a bit of info on Pertronix installation.
The Hall-effect sensor in the unit emulates a set of points. Static timing works.

Yes, there have been some rotors whose height is excessive and the rotor is prevented from fully seating due to contact with the magnet collar. You can find information and images on this in the archives.
Bud Krueger (TD10855)

Go to Pertronix Problem in the archives. It shows images of various rotors. Bud
Bud Krueger (TD10855)

This thread was discussed between 25/06/2010 and 27/06/2010

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.