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MG MGB Technical - Points users beware!

I was just testing a distributor curve on a distributor tester and installed a new set of Lucas points on the points plate. It started radically bouncing at about 2000-2500 (engine) rpm. So I installed another set, purchased at the same time. It did the same thing. I then installed an old Lucas set (who knows how old!) and it worked fine. Anyone else had this problem? Is there another brand I should be buying?

Jeff Schlemmer

Hi,

If it is a distubutor prior to 1974-1/2 I suggest:

Echlin CS207A

or Standard Blue-Streak LU-1617, P or XP

Cheers,

JGC
Jean Guy Catford

Never had a problem with Lucas so far, could be a faulty batch.
Paul Hunt 2

Were they lucas or unipart,had the same problem on a friends TR6,brand new set bought from the old dealer. Spent all day trying to figure out what was wrong. He put them in and said thats all he had done. Ran good ,bad, good,backfired etc. I was sure he wasn't telling me all he had done.Checked the points repeatedly,plus everything else. Finally out of frustration I put in an old set of orig lucas points,car ran like a top.Felt like a idiot for not figuring it out sooner. The unipart points are actually made in the USA. Wont ever use them.
wc wolcott

Well, I boldly say save the heartache, and spring for the $85 and install pertronix. I have heard much in the last 3-5 years of new points problems regardless of mfr, excepting LUCAS. Personally, I'd sure like to know what the problem was that Jeff found in those bad points. Cheers Vic
vem myers

Well, the points were right out of a green box labeled Lucas (from Moss). I only use points on my distributor tester, since I don't have the proper adapter to test electronic ignitions - its a 55 year old machine! I never recommend people use points, for just this reason, especially now that you can buy Pertronix kits for $70.

I really don't know why these points bounce at such a low rpm, but it appears that the pivot hole is too large. Yes, the shaft is in good condition - the old points work fine on it. You can actually see the points rock as tension is applied and the cam lobe passes. When the points rock and twist, the signal scatters and spark is lost. Something you would never see once it is in the car!

Thanks everyone for your input!

Jeff Schlemmer

The problem is the green box. These are not genuine Lucas parts as we know them, but something that has been manufactured recently by god know who or where since Lucas was sold to whatever outfit that bought them out (I want to say Delphi - you know, the one who has just filed for bankruptcy). I have heard of other complaints regarding the new "Lucas" points recently. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

it really sounds as if you've all figured it out but i will relate my story on lucas?? label?? box?? badge engineering..i have a 215 v/8 conver.[B] with a petronix unit,however my story relates to supposid lucas points on British m/c's i have over the years seen lucas points & condensers that have said right on the box made in japan,,have also seen india,,tiawian,,and even s.america..most of this stuff is junk!! i have no idea if lucas subcontracted,or if these examples are outright misrepresentions[rip offs]by some shoddy companies or by some shoddy distributer?? m/c's arent much different most people use the boyer elect.ign. but i am older[dont ride much anymore] and have several bikes so i'm a fan of the good old points [cheaper]& simpler to fix.i buy the genuine thing when i come across them at the swap meets[lots of N,O.S.]still out there,ihave found out on 4 or 5 occasions now that 30 year old points when filed properly work better than the bogus ones!!the condensers are another story many people say that 25 or 30 year old condensers [n.o.s.] ones go or are bad because of thier age,,i personally will buy them & use them [when i find them]and have never had a problem yet.[same cant be said for the bogus ones!]also the fellow who noticed the contact flexing he's RIGHT!!M/C'S unlike cars can be run and the points observed and thats what the cheap junk points do!! they flex & a fragmented spark flies all over,[thus bike/car runs like crap!!]thats my 2 cents thank you...
denny

This thread was discussed between 01/01/2006 and 03/01/2006

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