Lucas 45D4 or not ????

[alan.gilbert_6384]

Hi All, re spit 1500 1976

Can somebody who has a 45D4 distributor help with a simple dimension from the top of the shaft to the top lobe ring (please see picture with about 13mm)?  

I am having an issue with a power spark electronic ignition module.  When I put the actuator ring all the way down the shaft till it stops on the lobe ring but the car won't fire up :(.  If I just place it on the lobe ring and let the rotor arm set it distance then it works, but I am also having issues with the advance which keeps moving by itself with no help from the distributor rotary position:(

 

Power spark have indicated that the actuator ring and rotor arm should be nearly touching when installed, and have suggested a new distributor (just want to check that I am not being sold a new dizzy unnessarrly.  Please see pictures cheers.  

[Colin Lindsay]

I have a brand new one with electronic ignition fitted at source; it came like this:

  

As you can see, quite high up the spindle. As long as a good quantity of the trigger ring is close to the ignition module it should work ok. I'd be happy with your second position; let the arm set the depth, as long as the arm is securely fixed and doesn't come off again when in use. The advance may be due to other issues; maybe springs?

 

[alan.gilbert_6384]

Cheers Colin,

Don't suppose you could take a picture with the rotor arm and actuator removed ?  I will look at the springs as well, good point.

[Pete Lewis]

Alan,    the vac unit holds the top moving plates position if the spring in the vac unit has failed the top moving plate with the  pick up on can rotate  about with no control and timing will be always varying    worth a check 

Pete

[GrahamB]

I fitted a similar electronic ignition system supplied by RetroRockets to my 1500 Spitfire built in 1975 but with a 1976 registration.  This was about 10 years ago.  I seem to remember something in the instructions that some Lucas distributors were manufactured with a different lobe height and these were unsuitable for their system.  On measuring, I found I had one of these "unsuitable" distributors; yours is a similar age so perhaps the same applies to your distributor?  I worked around the problem by finding a rubber O-ring that fitted within the actuator and acted as a spacer so that the magnets aligned with the pick up as in your second photo.  This prevented the actuator sliding down to the lower position shown in the first photo.  The system has worked faultlessly since the initial fitting.  I have checked the timing several times over the years but it has never changed.

[Colin Lindsay]

Photos of bare baseplate as requested. Two things I've noticed: firstly your cabling might be getting in the way of the advance - is it hitting anything or getting in the way of free movement of the backplate? What's your cable tie attached to?

 

 

Secondly my actuating ring has a collar, so cannot go any further down than it is. It locks onto the wider neck of the shaft and rests there, so that's as far downwards as it can be fitted. It does not go right down to the bottom, as in your top photos. Is yours loose on the shaft or can it be moved upwards and will it stay there during use?

 

 

 

[Paul H]

Slight thread drift Colin , where did you buy the 45d with vernier scale 

Paul

[JohnD]

Just sent off a dizzy to the Good Doctor (Distributors), for rebuilding, removal of the vacuum advance and the fitting of a vernier scale to the timing adjustment.

Paul Ha, just ask Martin Jay (the DD)

JOhn

 

[alan.gilbert_6384]

Hi All,

Thanks very much for the info, and pointers,

I have checked the cabling it seems ok.

The cable tie just stops the cables being pulled out of the unit (came with the kit, not sure if it's really necessary).

The actuator ring is tight on the shaft, but its not in the same horizontal plane as yours Colin, so this might also be an issue.  Even just using the rotor to position the actuator ring as far up the shaft as possible, it's still lower than yours ?

@Graham, good tip on the dizzy manufacturing thing, thanks.

Power spark sells a 45D4 with points for £32.00, they recommend this option and fitting my unit to it, seems a good price for a brand new dizzy ??

[Colin Lindsay]

1 hour ago, Paul H said:

Slight thread drift Colin , where did you buy the 45d with vernier scale 

Paul

Came from SimonBBC, it's a new unit fitted with electronic ignition and correct advance springs for the Herald. I've had it salted away for a few years now; must check if he's still doing them.

H+H Solutions are also excellent for rebuilds.

[Pete Lewis]

there is another gaf when fitting things to the base plate make sure the screws dont protrude so far they permanently lock the two plates from moving 

Pete

[Paul H]

1 hour ago, Colin Lindsay said:

Came from SimonBBC, it's a new unit fitted with electronic ignition and correct advance springs for the Herald. I've had it salted away for a few years now; must check if he's still doing them.

H+H Solutions are also excellent for rebuilds.

I purchased new from a similar source though no vernier scale

Paul