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MG MGA - Japanese distributor

A while ago there was a discussion on replacement japanese distributors for the MGA. Been through archives but can't find it. Can anyone remember the heading it came under?
J H Cole

John

I think you will find they are Chinese, not Japanese. I got mine through Bob West. Bob the midget man got his from another supplier down south (can't remember the name).

There are a number of Chinese manufacturers apparently. Not all of them are of the same good quality as the 2 mentioned above. This particular brand seems to have got the right advance profile for the B-Series engine.

Steve
Steve Gyles

See archive search:
http://www2.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgbbs&access=&mode=archiveth&subject=6&subjectar=6&thread=2009032021154615552
Russ
Russ Carnes

That's the one Russ. However, the URL would not take me to the archives, most strange. It kept saying I was not logged in. I ended up having to go to the archive search engine and typing in the number at the end of your URL.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Thanks Steve & Russ. The reason I ask is because I'm thinking of fitting Pertrinox ignition but am not sure if the wear in my distributor spindle will negate any possible improvements. The first step may therefore be to sort out the play in the shaft or do you think its not that critical with electronic ignition. I'm going to measure the play with a dial guage to see exactly how much there is.
J H Cole

John

Electronic ignition systems do not have side pressure on the spindle so, as I understand it you can get away with some play. However, of your spindle bush is badly worn you have to wonder if the advance springs are also past their best and you are not getting a good timing profile through the RPM range.

Steve

The Chinese distributors are under £40 so not a great outlay. They look the same as the original items
Steve Gyles

Steve, had an interesting chat with Bob West on his Chinese distributor. He fits them because in his experience even when the DM2 distributor has been professionally overhauled its often disappointing performance wise so he's given up and now fits the Chinese model. He makes no distinction between the 1600 engine and 1622 cc- which I find surprising although my 1622 is a low compression engine. Cost is £50 plus p&p plus VAT.

There are a few issues however for MGA's with original set ups.
The vacuum lead with screw fitting has to be cut off and adapted to a push on.
A new set of leads is required to change from the original screw fixing into the cap to a push on connection. (not sure why the copper wire can't be exposed, bent around and then pushed into the new cap?) I wonder if I can still use my original screw on suppressors with new leads? Have you ever added a photograph of your distributor?
J H Cole

John

I stand slightly corrected on the price! also on the design. The Chinese design is similar to the 45D series. It does not have the adjustable vacuum advance knurled nut. The caps between the DM2 and 45D are not interchangeable. The attached photo is of my old 45D that looks the same as the Chinese variant. I am running it on my 1800, so it seems it is ok for all B-Series engines.

I fitted silicon push-on plug leads. I found that my dynamic advance timing light would not work with the old style copper leads. You may get away with using your copper leads (0.274" diameter?). The Chinese cap takes 8mm (0.34") diameter.

Steve


Steve Gyles

John

There is a brand new (NOS) DM2 on Ebay at the moment with the screw-in vacuum pipe: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LUCAS-DM2-DISTRIBUTOR-NEW-OLD-STOCK-MGA-LANDROVER_W0QQitemZ390143796401QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item5ad661e4b1#ht_500wt_956

The Lucas database suggests it (40509) is for the Magnette. The difference to the MGA version (40510 series) appears to be the internal mechanical advance cam plate that is listed as 19 degrees for the Magnette as opposed to the 12.5 degrees for the MGA plate (assuming no misprint in the database). Your existing plate, springs and bob weights are easily swapped over. Left alone, the 19 degree cam plate would over advance your engine. I must say that I am surprised that the Magnette appears to use so much advance: static + 2 x mechanical = maximum dynamic (8 + 38 = 46 degrees) - I am a little sceptical of the data, perhaps a Magnette owner can advise us.


Might be worth a bid.

Steve
Steve Gyles

This thread was discussed between 20/01/2010 and 23/01/2010

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.