replacing distributor : MG Midget Forum : The MG Experience

replacing distributor #1
123 chuck h Richmond, VA, USA Sign in to contact 1977 MG Midget 1500 "Lola"	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 1, 2014 01:49 AM Joined 9 years ago 209 Posts

I have the original one in my 77. Should I have it rebuilt or replaced with a new type. Car runs great. Just want it to idle smoother.

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Re: replacing distributor #2
Mainline Ilya Ilya K Ray Brook, NY, USA Sign in to contact 1947 Willys Jeep CJ2A 1972 BMW 2002 1973 MG Midget MkIII 1974 Jeep SJ & more	Sep 1, 2014 07:03 AM Joined 9 years ago 634 Posts

Here are a couple if you feel like spending money. A couple of members on this forum are vendors and will get you a better deal.
Im going to order this one soon to replace the stock Lucas unit in mine:
http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=76120
here are a couple other options
http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=112028

http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=112011

http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=38779

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2014-09-01 07:15 AM by Mainline Ilya.

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Re: replacing distributor #3
purpleGT Bud Osbourne Pittsburgh, PA., USA Sign in to contact 1956 MG MGA 1500 1972 MG Midget MkIII 1972 MG Midget MkIII 1974 MG MGB GT "The Grape" & more	Sep 1, 2014 07:33 AM Top Contributor Joined 15 years ago 4,501 Posts

Yeah, that makes sense. Spend a couple hundred on a distributor that wasn't designed for your car (they'd go broke if it was specifically curved for any MG engine), when you can send the original out to Jeff Schlemmer and get it rebuilt to be IDEAL for your engine's ignition needs, for less money than the generic "flame thrower" unit that is being offered.

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Re: replacing distributor #4
123 chuck h Richmond, VA, USA Sign in to contact 1977 MG Midget 1500 "Lola"	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 1, 2014 07:44 AM Joined 9 years ago 209 Posts

Thanks for your reply. I have a British car mechanic 1 mile from my house and has been in business for 30 some years. He has someone he sends them to for rebuild. He strongly recommended me to do the same. It seemed easier to buy the least expensive and just put it on. I will take your suggestion.

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Re: replacing distributor #5
Mainline Ilya Ilya K Ray Brook, NY, USA Sign in to contact 1947 Willys Jeep CJ2A 1972 BMW 2002 1973 MG Midget MkIII 1974 Jeep SJ & more	Sep 2, 2014 09:05 PM Joined 9 years ago 634 Posts

In reply to # 2785076 by purpleGT Yeah, that makes sense. Spend a couple hundred on a distributor that wasn't designed for your car (they'd go broke if it was specifically curved for any MG engine), when you can send the original out to Jeff Schlemmer and get it rebuilt to be IDEAL for your engine's ignition needs, for less money than the generic "flame thrower" unit that is being offered.

the original ignition on that car was trash and you know it as well as i do

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Re: replacing distributor #6
purpleGT Bud Osbourne Pittsburgh, PA., USA Sign in to contact 1956 MG MGA 1500 1972 MG Midget MkIII 1972 MG Midget MkIII 1974 MG MGB GT "The Grape" & more	Sep 2, 2014 09:27 PM Top Contributor Joined 15 years ago 4,501 Posts

In reply to # 2786760 by Mainline Ilya

In reply to # 2785076 by purpleGT Yeah, that makes sense. Spend a couple hundred on a distributor that wasn't designed for your car (they'd go broke if it was specifically curved for any MG engine), when you can send the original out to Jeff Schlemmer and get it rebuilt to be IDEAL for your engine's ignition needs, for less money than the generic "flame thrower" unit that is being offered.

the original ignition on that car was trash and you know it as well as i do

Well, the post '75 British Leyland systems did leave a bit to be desired. However, I'd never call them "trash". The ones that were problematic were the ones which had the module mounted directly on the distributor. I think that the '77 and newer ones had the module mounted on the inner fender, away from the heat that was killing the earlier ones. But, if you send it out to Jeff and he re-curves it and installs points, instead of "Luminition", it'll be far better than any aftermarket distributor you can buy for it and for less money, as well.

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Re: replacing distributor #7
pixelsmithusa Gerard C San Francisco, USA Sign in to contact 1937 Chevrolet Master Deluxe 1946 Austin 10 1953 Morris Minor Series II 1960 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite & more	Sep 3, 2014 01:30 AM Joined 12 years ago 2,859 Posts

In reply to # 2785080 by 123 Thanks for your reply. I have a British car mechanic 1 mile from my house and has been in business for 30 some years. He has someone he sends them to for rebuild. He strongly recommended me to do the same. It seemed easier to buy the least expensive and just put it on. I will take your suggestion.

You may not be familiar with Jeff or Jeff's reputation, but Bud has given you the best suggestion. I was about to suggest the same until I read that Bud already put it out there. Jeff has very high standards and for about the same money as a generic, supply you with something superior, designed to suit your specific application.

Gerard

http://gerardsgarage.com/

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Re: replacing distributor #8
tomshobby Tom Smith Windsor, WI, USA Sign in to contact 1974 MG Midget 1976 Triumph TR6	Sep 3, 2014 08:28 AM Joined 14 years ago 1,881 Posts

Jeff did the dizzy for my TR6 when the engine was built. He asked for a list of the mods that were made so he could match the dizzy to what was done. He installed a Pertronix, added a thumb wheel for fine adjustment, and a spare plate with points that I carry but have never needed. That was 50,000 miles ago and everything has been golden.
Jeff also advised me when I started on my Midget.

Tom Smith
1974 Midget
1976 TR6

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Re: replacing distributor #9
Mainline Ilya Ilya K Ray Brook, NY, USA Sign in to contact 1947 Willys Jeep CJ2A 1972 BMW 2002 1973 MG Midget MkIII 1974 Jeep SJ & more	Sep 3, 2014 08:51 PM Joined 9 years ago 634 Posts

In reply to # 2786778 by purpleGT

In reply to # 2786760 by Mainline Ilya

In reply to # 2785076 by purpleGT Yeah, that makes sense. Spend a couple hundred on a distributor that wasn't designed for your car (they'd go broke if it was specifically curved for any MG engine), when you can send the original out to Jeff Schlemmer and get it rebuilt to be IDEAL for your engine's ignition needs, for less money than the generic "flame thrower" unit that is being offered.

the original ignition on that car was trash and you know it as well as i do

Well, the post '75 British Leyland systems did leave a bit to be desired. However, I'd never call them "trash". The ones that were problematic were the ones which had the module mounted directly on the distributor. I think that the '77 and newer ones had the module mounted on the inner fender, away from the heat that was killing the earlier ones. But, if you send it out to Jeff and he re-curves it and installs points, instead of "Luminition", it'll be far better than any aftermarket distributor you can buy for it and for less money, as well.

I take my hat off and stand corrected. I'm still new to the MG community and MG in general. I tune cars with a laptop 99% of the time, this mechanical and vacuum wizardry is new to me.

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Re: replacing distributor #10
Speedracer Hap Waldrop Taylors, SC, USA Sign in to contact 1967 MG MGB Racecar "The Biscuit"	Sep 4, 2014 07:05 AM Top Contributor Joined 18 years ago 43,720 Posts

Most of the "new" distributor, regardless of "el-cheapo": vs high end, are what I call "Bic lighter" distributors, sure you can replace some components if they go bad, but if you have a wear problems over time, you throw them away. and get another one. Same goes for most electronic distributor applications for our cars, most offerings are mickey mouse at best. I always tell folks go with Jeff's rebuild and get his points set up, it is by far is the best quality offered for our cars.

Hap Waldrop
Acme Speed Shop
864-370-3000
Website: www.acmespeedshop.com
hapwaldrop@acmespeedshop.com

Acme Speed Shop www.mgexp.com

MG/ Triumph Performance Street Engines - Cylinder Head Porting for street performance and race - DIY Engine Rebuild Kits With Free Tech Advice - VTO alloy wheels for British Sports Cars, and others

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Re: replacing distributor #11
B-racer Jeff Schlemmer Shakopee, MN, USA Sign in to contact 1950 Willys Jeep Pickup "Ratrod" 1964 Land Rover Series IIA 1971 MG MGB	Sep 5, 2014 09:28 AM Top Contributor Joined 17 years ago 20,003 Posts

I had the pleasure of talking with Chuck yesterday. The Opus electronics ARE terrible, but the distributors are great. They have the capability of running 500,000+ miles without the shaft wearing out! Typical aftermarket distributors run 75K and the shaft is worn significantly. The most expensive - the Mallory - doesn't even polish their shaft to a consistent dimension!

I tune fuel injection setups too - its easy once you see the correlation of needs between fuel and timing, and how they work together. The "mechanical and vacuum wizardry" is something you should know BEFORE attempting to plot fuel curves, as that's what drives the need for a set amount of fuel!!!

jeff@advanceddistributors.com

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Re: replacing distributor #12
Mainline Ilya Ilya K Ray Brook, NY, USA Sign in to contact 1947 Willys Jeep CJ2A 1972 BMW 2002 1973 MG Midget MkIII 1974 Jeep SJ & more	Sep 5, 2014 11:28 AM Joined 9 years ago 634 Posts

In reply to # 2788962 by B-racer I had the pleasure of talking with Chuck yesterday. The Opus electronics ARE terrible, but the distributors are great. They have the capability of running 500,000+ miles without the shaft wearing out! Typical aftermarket distributors run 75K and the shaft is worn significantly. The most expensive - the Mallory - doesn't even polish their shaft to a consistent dimension!

I tune fuel injection setups too - its easy once you see the correlation of needs between fuel and timing, and how they work together. The "mechanical and vacuum wizardry" is something you should know BEFORE attempting to plot fuel curves, as that's what drives the need for a set amount of fuel!!!

I know it but I've have not had much experience with it so I'm not terribly comfortable with it just yet. Unless I do something at least 20 times and know it inside and out in practice not just theory I don't feel 100% with it. For me perfect is not good enough smiling smiley

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