Paul Axworthy Posted March 17, 2014 Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 My distributor and vacuum advance is truly clapped out. Can anyone recommend the best electronic system in a new distributor? I am hoping to fit a pair weber 45's as well so need to take this into account. Many thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chris Hubball Posted March 18, 2014 Report Share Posted March 18, 2014 Hi Paul I have fitted an Ignitor Electronic Ignition and Flame Thrower Coil from Aldon Engineering not the cheapest but no problems. Martin Jay the Distributor Doctor will rebuild your distributor but will need to know your engine tune/specification. Cheers Chris. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
landrover Posted March 18, 2014 Report Share Posted March 18, 2014 Hi Paul Have a look on ebay there is a 123 distributor like new done just 200 miles for sale. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Axworthy Posted March 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 Hi Everyone, In a moment of madness(probably) I am now the proud owner of a pair of almost new weber's 45's off a TR4 and a new 123 ignition system. Any advice? I am planning to fit the 123 first and deal with the weber's second. Does that make sense? Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graze Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 (edited) Paul I'll be really interested to know how you fare with the webers and what (if any) performance advantage you get. Please keep the thread updated. Might want to do this myself one day Graze Edited March 26, 2014 by Graze Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MilesA Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 (edited) Not a 4, but my 3A is fitted with an Aldon 4 - LU 142A Ignitor unit, sports coil and Weber 45s (plus electric fuel pump and pressure regulator). These were already fitted when I acquired the car. Never had a problem with the Aldon. The key for me has been getting it tuned by someone who knows what they are doing and knows Webers. Now it runs very smoothly from idling onwards. Esso petrol (without ethanol) seems to make a bit of a difference. Obviously, this set up is not an economy option though... Miles Edited March 27, 2014 by MilesA Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Axworthy Posted April 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 Right here we Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Axworthy Posted April 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 go - 123 ignition fitted - not without trauma but running now and mostly my own mistakes. The backfire took the neighbours by surprise and the dog hasn't been seen since. The instructions are open to interpretation. The result is that starting and running are now incredibly smooth- well worth the money. I bought my 123 from Southern Carburettors - seemed the best value and very helpful. So Webers next and new stainless sports exhaust - I live in South Bucks (Beaconsfield) can anyone recommend a nearby rolling road expert who can tune the new set up for me? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Badfrog Posted April 2, 2014 Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 (edited) Paul, This is interesting. What camshaft do you run and what are these 45 in terms of inner piece (exchangeable venturi)? What is the engine displacement? Cheers, Badfrog Edited April 2, 2014 by Badfrog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MilesA Posted April 2, 2014 Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 Paul If you fancy a run out to Hampshire try Tom Airey (just Google for details). Old school. Not cheap. He sorted out my set up above. It was running terribly and within a short time it was transformed and the next 40 minutes just tweaked everything right. Miles Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Axworthy Posted April 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 Thanks for the tuning suggestion in Hampshire - I'll investigate. Here are some before and after pics of the old and the new 123 set up. Badfrog, with regard to the state of the engine tune, my feeling is that the engine has been recently rebuilt but I've no idea if it's standard or not. Generally the car has had many upgrades so it's possible. I will replace the exhaust manifold with a sports stainless steel version to match the rest of the system(no idea why the cast iron manifold was left in place), add the webers and see what happens. If it runs that will be a miracle - then it's over to the tuners. All I know about the webers is that they were taken off a TR4a and they were made in Spain. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted April 2, 2014 Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 If you have a 4a then it's quite sensible to retain the cast iron manifold as it's a pretty good design as was advised to me when contemplating a change. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Axworthy Posted April 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 Hi Pete, that's really interesting - to be honest it's more aesthetics with me - the manifold is a rusty looking relic and must weigh a bit. Moss sell a stainless replacement for about £200. Your TR looks fantastic. Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Axworthy Posted April 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 Pete, We have something in common. Lovely colour! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted April 2, 2014 Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 Twins! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dixie4 Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 Something that does not seem to have been mentioned in this thread is that if fitting Weber carbs a distributor without a vacuum advance should be fitted. As for electronic ignition check out Powerspark (Google will help with finding their website) They supply a kit for less than £25. It seems much better value than a similar product supplied by Moss at £110. Regards, Dixie4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Axworthy Posted June 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 Hi Everyone, Thanks for all the advice - here's the sit rep - 123 non vacuum fitted - works well but no idea which programme to use, there are 16 and it's unclear which to choose. Meanwhile waited for two months for the stainless steel manifold to turn up from Moss but it's a work of art. However, the manifold headers are narrower fittings so the butterfly bolts need spacers to seal with the 45 webers. Had to reroute the fuel (round the back of the engine) and for now have stuck with the original pump but aware that this may need to change. Fitted new fuel inline filter. Meanwhile the weber 45's off another TR4a bolted straight on and included most of the links. Being very immature I replaced the sensible short trumpets and KN filters with 4 x 66mm trumpets. Look fab but I think have leaned the mixture in the process. The intake roar is juvenile. Anyway the car runs and above 3000 revs the car is transformed but it badly needs tuning at lower revs - I've read all the advice but I know when to call in the experts. So looking for my nearest tuner ( maybe EDM in Bicester) I can go anywhere at 3000 rpm! Has anyone used their services? Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
riverstar Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 I fitted a AccuSpark kit two years ago for under £80 all in and it has worked great ever since Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 Paul, does your post imply that you're running without air filters? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Axworthy Posted June 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 Yes, but I may add Max Flow mesh filters from Southern Carburetors for peace of mind. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Axworthy Posted June 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2014 Quick update, managed to drive the car to EDM Biscester although it was very unhappy and clearly running very weak. After two hours on the rolling road Elliot had performed miracles but recommended fitting larger jets so I left it with him to complete. Should have it back early next week. Strangely he mentioned that the existing jets were poor quality and not accurately sized. The webers are marked as manufactured in Spain - is that usual? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Axworthy Posted June 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 (edited) Will collect car on Monday, so will post results next week. Edited June 20, 2014 by Paul Axworthy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Harvey Posted June 24, 2014 Report Share Posted June 24, 2014 (edited) Paul, I'm late on this post but running a similar set-up on my 4A New Weber 45's and jets all need checking by an expert to make sure the holes are correct - new jets commonly have variations The 123 with pre-set curves may or may not have the right curve for your car - you will have to go with the best the tuners can find (If they tell you the curve is not quite right an expert like the Distributor Doctor can supply a rebuilt standard dizzy with exactly the right curve based on their findings) There is also a fully programmable 123Tune version which can be set to EXACTLY the curve required (which I have) I have been unable to get brand new 45 Webers completely smooth throughout the rev range on my 'fast road' engine - they are basically too big for all but highly modified 4 pot engines, although a really experienced rolling road with all the Weber jets and chokes available should get them very close (depends how fussy you are - I managed to source NOS 42 Webers but this was a very rare find) Tappet settings (valve lash) are more important than many people realise but you need to know which cam is fitted to get this right I would be very interested to know your final set up and how happy you are My own rolling road session to tune the 42 Webers is Thursday this week Once you get to this level of detail, EVERYTHING matters, and all the settings are inter related There are also experts and experts. You need to be hooked on the whole Weber concept (which I am) in order to find the road to Nirvana I'll let you know if I ever get there! Cheers, Edited June 24, 2014 by Paul Harvey Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ntc Posted June 24, 2014 Report Share Posted June 24, 2014 45's can be made to work no problem on a four pot as for the 123 ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mleadbeater Posted June 24, 2014 Report Share Posted June 24, 2014 I have also fitted Accuspark units to several cars, MGA, Frogeye, Midget, and now my TR2, seem to work well for under £30 ( a lot more unless you convert to negative earth, which I always do anyway. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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