New Distributor / ignition options , opinions, advice : MGB & GT Forum : The MG Experience

New Distributor / ignition options , opinions, advice #1 This topic is about my 1973 MG MGB
Mike-CT-CO. Mike M Broomfield, CO, USA Sign in to contact 1973 MG MGB	Topic Creator (OP) May 23, 2016 03:50 PM Joined 7 years ago 176 Posts

I finally figured out why I had zero spark after replacing almost all of my ignition components. The distributor body was cracked on the back side in 3 places .
Since
I have to replace it, I am thinking I should look at my options . Do I replace with a new original or.......?
I am looking for ideas or exsperiances with other ideas.

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Re: New Distributor / ignition options , opinions, advice #2
Valgood Enberg R (Disabled) Disabled Account, Antarctica Sign in to contact	May 23, 2016 03:56 PM Joined 7 years ago 153 Posts

In visits to a friend in US often, and he has several nice older cars he likes to drive, including MGB and also some racing cars, he take me to NAPA part store in his town for pickup of ignition parts last time. He say their caps, points, rotor, etc best around. I recall checking one of these caps for the MGB and it looked to be of very high quality.

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Re: New Distributor / ignition options , opinions, advice #3
Mike-CT-CO. Mike M Broomfield, CO, USA Sign in to contact 1973 MG MGB	Topic Creator (OP) May 23, 2016 04:01 PM Joined 7 years ago 176 Posts

I try to use NAPA for all my replacment parts on my other cars.
I am looking to see if maybe an upgraded distributor / electronic system might be a good way to go.

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Re: New Distributor / ignition options , opinions, advice #4
Mike-CT-CO. Mike M Broomfield, CO, USA Sign in to contact 1973 MG MGB	Topic Creator (OP) May 23, 2016 04:04 PM Joined 7 years ago 176 Posts

I found a guy in Ireland selling an accu-spark upgrade kit for $39.99 and free shipping . I just don't know anything about them.

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Re: New Distributor / ignition options , opinions, advice #5
bwoollia Brian W Winnipeg, MB, Canada Sign in to contact 1969 MG MGB GT "Miss Moneypenny"	May 23, 2016 04:04 PM Top Contributor Joined 10 years ago 865 Posts

Mike, I sourced a used early 25D distributor on eBay for my '73 and ported the HIF4 carbs for ported advance - one of the best things I've done for the car. Should be an easy task with your experience. Verify the type of distributor you want here http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/curvestext.htm when you are searching.

Here's my blunder... er, experience! http://www.mgexp.com/phorum/read.php?1,3083841,page=2

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Re: New Distributor / ignition options , opinions, advice #6
ohlord Rob C A tiny Island off the coast of Washington State, N.W., USA Sign in to contact 1957 Land Rover Series I "EYEYIYI" 1957 Land Rover Series I "OVRLND" 1971 MG MGB 1971 MG MGB "Bedouin 2" & more	May 23, 2016 04:05 PM Top Contributor Joined 12 years ago 28,878 Posts

Get a used 25d4 and have Jeff at advanced distributor build it.
Or give him a call he will build you a better than new 25d4 curved to your engine using one of his core bodies
Jeff is here on the forum or call him at
612)-804-5543

LNDRVR4X4.COM
Home of Project "INCARN8'

1957 Series 1 Land Rover electric VEHICLE CONVERSION

FIXITUPCHAP.COM
FIXITUPCHAP INCORPORATED

RD3 Radar/ Electronic Warfare Technician
VIETNAM 1969-1972

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016-05-23 04:08 PM by ohlord.

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Re: New Distributor / ignition options , opinions, advice #7
Mike-CT-CO. Mike M Broomfield, CO, USA Sign in to contact 1973 MG MGB	Topic Creator (OP) May 23, 2016 04:30 PM Joined 7 years ago 176 Posts

Thanks guys. Just for fun, any experience with the Accu-Spark stuff?

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Re: New Distributor / ignition options , opinions, advice #8
barry s Barry Stoll Alexandria, VA, USA Sign in to contact 1972 MG MGB GT 1974 MG MGB 1976 Triumph TR6 1980 MG MGB	May 23, 2016 04:43 PM Top Contributor Joined 14 years ago 7,461 Posts

Mike - Have you done a search on Accu-spark? If you are just curious, that might be the thing to do.

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Re: New Distributor / ignition options , opinions, advice #9
ohlord Rob C A tiny Island off the coast of Washington State, N.W., USA Sign in to contact 1957 Land Rover Series I "EYEYIYI" 1957 Land Rover Series I "OVRLND" 1971 MG MGB 1971 MG MGB "Bedouin 2" & more	May 23, 2016 04:46 PM Top Contributor Joined 12 years ago 28,878 Posts

Accuspark isn't an upgrade.
And B. it doesn't solve you cracked distributor issue.

LNDRVR4X4.COM
Home of Project "INCARN8'

1957 Series 1 Land Rover electric VEHICLE CONVERSION

FIXITUPCHAP.COM
FIXITUPCHAP INCORPORATED

RD3 Radar/ Electronic Warfare Technician
VIETNAM 1969-1972

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Re: New Distributor / ignition options , opinions, advice #10
Mike-CT-CO. Mike M Broomfield, CO, USA Sign in to contact 1973 MG MGB	Topic Creator (OP) May 23, 2016 04:47 PM Joined 7 years ago 176 Posts

I did , I was looking for more direct info regarding the system and a 1973 MGB. I just read an article on zoom net that said it is " a lazy technicians best mate". I am not sure how to take that. I am also curious the differace putting the AS conversion on a stock distributor verse just replacing the entire distributor .

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Re: New Distributor / ignition options , opinions, advice #11
Mike-CT-CO. Mike M Broomfield, CO, USA Sign in to contact 1973 MG MGB	Topic Creator (OP) May 23, 2016 04:50 PM Joined 7 years ago 176 Posts

I am aware I need to replace the cracked unit. The product description I read was the acu-spark Stealth " electronic performance conversion".

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Re: New Distributor / ignition options , opinions, advice #12
ohlord Rob C A tiny Island off the coast of Washington State, N.W., USA Sign in to contact 1957 Land Rover Series I "EYEYIYI" 1957 Land Rover Series I "OVRLND" 1971 MG MGB 1971 MG MGB "Bedouin 2" & more	May 23, 2016 04:57 PM Top Contributor Joined 12 years ago 28,878 Posts

It's an electronic module that is simple to Install
Offers less performance, while needing 10 minutes less maintenance every 6 months
You need a rebuilt distributor.

The new ones offered are generic curved cheap fakes.
Find a real 25d4 of which there are plenty and get it done.
Most are of an age that a rebuild is in order and more than worth it in the quality of timing events,better thann new tolerances, looks,operation,accuracy.
All the while utilizing points that are easy to replace,adjust,and diagnose if need be.

LNDRVR4X4.COM
Home of Project "INCARN8'

1957 Series 1 Land Rover electric VEHICLE CONVERSION

FIXITUPCHAP.COM
FIXITUPCHAP INCORPORATED

RD3 Radar/ Electronic Warfare Technician
VIETNAM 1969-1972

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016-05-23 04:59 PM by ohlord.

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Re: New Distributor / ignition options , opinions, advice #13
tvrgeek Scott S Hillsborough, North Carolinia, USA Sign in to contact 1973 Triumph Stag	May 23, 2016 05:27 PM Top Contributor Joined 9 years ago 15,011 Posts

Accuspark, TrueSpark, Pertronix, and others sell complete distributors. Junk, but complete. Been there, done that.

See my PM.

Cogito ergo sum periculoso

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Re: New Distributor / ignition options , opinions, advice #14
67motorcat Steve O Pinehurst, NC, USA Sign in to contact 1967 MG MGB	May 23, 2016 05:59 PM Joined 8 years ago 417 Posts

Here are a couple currently available that are original Lucas units.

One is performance based as built the 40897 built 4th week of 1968. http://www.ebay.com/itm/MGB-Distributor-MG1400-/371502868218?hash=item567f4be6fa:g:3eYAAOSwbdpWZPpw&vxp=mtr

The second one 41370 is close to your 73 MGB and was probably built in late 72 for the 18V. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1972-MGB-Distributor-/152095942163?hash=item23699fe613:g:FUkAAOSwt7pXLZEQ&vxp=mtr

Either would be good cores for a rebuild, or if the shaft bushings are in good shape, you could clean it up and lubricate and run as is.

Run good quality points and condenser and your good to go thumbs up

I wouldn't even bother with the current reproductions available today

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Re: New Distributor / ignition options , opinions, advice #15
Mike-CT-CO. Mike M Broomfield, CO, USA Sign in to contact 1973 MG MGB	Topic Creator (OP) May 23, 2016 06:02 PM Joined 7 years ago 176 Posts

Fantastic thank you for the links.

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