14 replies to this topic

[beardylondon]

I had been running an old Rover electronic dizzy, but was told the vacumn advance was broken, so was suggested to buy a Powerspark one. However the car been running really badly, no matter how many times I check the timing, and I spoke to Bromsgrove (who built my engine) who said they think those distributors may be scattering the spark, and causing my issue.

 

So I am thinking of getting another distributor entirely and spoke to Mini Spares today, who said the bog standard Rover replacement has been on back order since July so I have two options.

 

Either an Aldon one with an electronic conversion, around £160, or a 123 brand one, that is programmable, however they are £300, and I really don't need programmable.

 

Thoughts?

[Minigman]

Could try H&H. I’ve had a couple of their electronic dizzy kits and they’re spot on.

[nicklouse]

look at the vac advance and see what it says on it and replace. not hard and quite cheap.

[jime17]

look at the vac advance and see what it says on it and replace. not hard and quite cheap.

I've no experience with electronic dizzy but I've replaced the vac canister on a 59d and it was simple. Might have even been powerspark I got it from.

How do you know the vacuum unit is faulty.

Suck the pipe with the dizzy cap off. It should move the base plate. It should hold vacuum when you suck. If you can suck air through the diaphragm is leaking.

Edited by jime17, 28 January 2019 - 05:59 PM.

[Spider]

I've tested loads of 'replacement' distributors currently available, including those from some well known and popular Ignition Companies and all the bigger Mini spare parts suppliers.

 

The only ones I found on spec. were those from Mini Spares. The others were a lucky dip mostly with no 2 the same (or even close) despite supposedly being for the same engine. Some suppliers even sell them saying 'suits all engines from 850 to 1275'.

 

Some more information and back ground here as well as info on why it's important to have the right distributor curve;-

 

http://www.theminifo...d-distributors/

 

As another option, you can have a look at the CSI Distributor, almost 1/2 the price of the 123 and uses standard replacement parts;-

 

http://www.minispare...lassic/csi.aspx

[beardylondon]

Thanks all.

 

I was recommended this 123 one, thus making the CSI one only 15% less. I realise you pay for quality, but it still seems a pile of money to me. Think I'll look at fixing the vacuum on the one I have.

 

http://www.minispare...|Back to search

[beardylondon]

Just been looking on Minispares, this one seems ok?

 

http://www.minispare.../ADU3825MS.aspx

 

by the way, I have a 270 Newman cam, I guess that's why the programmable ones are good?

[beardylondon]

I had the car rolling roading and he told me it wasn't working

 

 

look at the vac advance and see what it says on it and replace. not hard and quite cheap.

I've no experience with electronic dizzy but I've replaced the vac canister on a 59d and it was simple. Might have even been powerspark I got it from.

How do you know the vacuum unit is faulty.

Suck the pipe with the dizzy cap off. It should move the base plate. It should hold vacuum when you suck. If you can suck air through the diaphragm is leaking.

 

[beardylondon]

Spoke to H & H today, they explained they use exactly the same body as Powerspark, only with new internals. So for £65 they can take my Powerspark unit and rebuild to suit my spec. So I have sent it off, fingers crossed!

 

He did say the Powerspark unit have been reported to have too much advance.

Edited by beardylondon, 29 January 2019 - 06:58 PM.

[beardylondon]

Thanks all for your advice, I got my Powerspark distributor back from H & H, who replaced the cap, the rotor arm, and all the internals with their wizardry and even put some more sturdy clips on the outside.

I have it up and running and it seems to have solved my issue.

My set up is: 1293cc, 35.6mm inlet valves, 10.5:1 compression, 270 Newman cam, HIF44, I have set the timing at 8 degrees, but I was just reading over at Mini Mania and found a chart which said 8-10 degrees for fast road?

https://www.minimani...n_timing_set_up

Is it worth increasing the 9 or 10?

Also when I was timing it, I noticed the timing mark jumping around a bit and not staying completely static as it had done in the past, I am going to try another timing light tomorrow, just wondered what that might be?

Edited by beardylondon, 10 February 2019 - 08:29 AM.

[beardylondon]

Well it is set on 8, and seems fine.

[gazza82]

Also when I was timing it, I noticed the timing mark jumping around a bit and not staying completely static as it had done in the past, I am going to try another timing light tomorrow, just wondered what that might be?

 

You disconnected and blocked off the vacuum tube to the dizzy?

[beardylondon]

disconnected but not blocked off, should I have blocked if off?

[jime17]

Yes. Pull it off the distributor and block the pipe going to the carb. Otherwise the carb will be sucking air and leaning off the mixture.

Edited by jime17, 12 February 2019 - 05:43 PM.

[beardylondon]

Copy that, thanks!