Malbaby Posted July 8, 2021 Report Share Posted July 8, 2021 (edited) Are these good quality? Sold in the UK but made in China, trying to avoid China made, but seems unavoidable. Edited July 8, 2021 by Malbaby Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ralph Whitaker Posted July 8, 2021 Report Share Posted July 8, 2021 I have "Powerspark" distributor in both my Austin van and the TR3a, probably made in the same factory, they are working well enough, however neither have done great mileages so I cannot testify as to their long term durability. Seem well enough made. Ralph Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Salisbury Posted July 8, 2021 Report Share Posted July 8, 2021 I've got one, had it for a while and it works OK with the electronic trigger but the central rotor is a bit loose in the bearing so if for any reason you were to change to use points then I think you would get ignition scatter, I suppose you could install a new central bearing and make it work properly, other than that, for the money, they are OK. Cheers Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jase Posted July 8, 2021 Report Share Posted July 8, 2021 Are there alternatives? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted July 8, 2021 Report Share Posted July 8, 2021 (edited) 26 minutes ago, Jase said: Are there alternatives? Yep. Get yours rebuilt. http://www.distributordoctor.com or the programmable item from Holland https://123ignition.com Read this for more info Edited July 8, 2021 by BlueTR3A-5EKT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trchris Posted July 8, 2021 Report Share Posted July 8, 2021 I've the csi distributor from Moss fit and forget Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Colin Symonds Posted July 8, 2021 Report Share Posted July 8, 2021 I have an Accuspark in my 4A, put in by PO in 2018, so not a vast mileage on it, but I have no complaints about the performance of the ignition. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted July 8, 2021 Report Share Posted July 8, 2021 (edited) Distributor or electronic braker in the original distributor? Edited July 8, 2021 by Z320 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Malbaby Posted July 9, 2021 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2021 What about the "Powerspark UK" electronic distributors? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ralph Whitaker Posted July 9, 2021 Report Share Posted July 9, 2021 39 minutes ago, Malbaby said: What about the "Powerspark UK" electronic distributors? If your existing distributor is OK, you could buy the module from Powerspark to convert. Available as either Pos or Neg earth. Cheaper option so less import duties etc. I did this with my Vitesse and it works fine. Ralph Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted July 9, 2021 Report Share Posted July 9, 2021 On 7/8/2021 at 11:34 AM, BlueTR3A-5EKT said: Yep. Get yours rebuilt. http://www.distributordoctor.com or the programmable item from Holland https://123ignition.com Read this for more info Im with You Peter, I always fit Distributor Doctor rebuilt ones to all my restos. Stuart Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Malbaby Posted July 10, 2021 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2021 Thanks guys. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted July 11, 2021 Report Share Posted July 11, 2021 (edited) I had ignition problems with my Powerspark electronic braker, it worked very reliable but from time to time it failed without any obvious reason - and worked again after some time. It needed some time to indicate the ignition problems on the Powerspark unit. The problem properly was: I let the ignition switched ON anytime for any reason too long and the electric was damaged but not broken. In the installation manual of the German supplier of the Pertronix 1 this is special pointed out: "never let the ignition switched ON longer than 1 minute without the engine running". From the basics Pertronix I and Powerspark work with "the same" electronic device. So this is good to know when you want to buy one of the simple units Edited July 11, 2021 by Z320 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rockie51 Posted July 11, 2021 Report Share Posted July 11, 2021 Malcolm, my distributor was rebuilt by Vic at Ignition Developments in Frankston using Bosch parts from a Mitsubishi Magna. It is a Hall effect system and parts are available from Repco etc. It has been very reliable and has done about 30k miles so far in all conditions. The car starts and runs very well and I do not have to reset points. Unfortunately, he has now retired. I wonder if a good quality auto electrician could do the same for you. I had a Lumenition system on my Citroen GS many years ago. It was a light beam system with a “chopper” to activate it. It failed on a hot day and I went back to the original distributor. I worry about the quality and backup of some after market systems compared with parts from major manufacturers like Bosch. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobTR3 Posted July 11, 2021 Report Share Posted July 11, 2021 On 7/8/2021 at 2:44 PM, trchris said: I've the csi distributor from Moss fit and forget Chris I had a CSI and it was fine for a few years then I started getting a few ignition problems, missing etc. Eventually, although I could start the car, when out on the road one day I had a complete lack of power to get up the most moderate of inclines. Tried and replaced ignition leads, cap, coil etc, but no improvement. I then replaced the CSI with the original Lucas. Problem solved in respect of power loss, but I had Distributer Doctor rebuild the unit - it comes back like new - would never fit an electronic unit again. I reckon the automatic advance had failed in the CSI. I emailed CSI about the issue, I got no response!! For the same money DD rebuilt Lucas distributers every time, at least you have a chance of sorting an issue should it occur, with an electronic Distributer, if it fails your stuffed (unless you've bought two and have the spare in boot). Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted July 11, 2021 Report Share Posted July 11, 2021 1 hour ago, RobTR3 said: I had a CSI and it was fine for a few years then I started getting a few ignition problems, missing etc. Eventually, although I could start the car, when out on the road one day I had a complete lack of power to get up the most moderate of inclines. Tried and replaced ignition leads, cap, coil etc, but no improvement. I then replaced the CSI with the original Lucas. Problem solved in respect of power loss, but I had Distributer Doctor rebuild the unit - it comes back like new - would never fit an electronic unit again. I reckon the automatic advance had failed in the CSI. I emailed CSI about the issue, I got no response!! For the same money DD rebuilt Lucas distributers every time, at least you have a chance of sorting an issue should it occur, with an electronic Distributer, if it fails your stuffed (unless you've bought two and have the spare in boot). Rob Hence why I fit rebuilt distributors by Distributor Doctor only. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ocheye Posted January 12, 2022 Report Share Posted January 12, 2022 I have a Powerspark distributor and Accuspark coil fitted by the previous owner which have done about 7k. It has worked very well though recently my car started coughing and missing. Not 100% sure that it is dizzy related though seemed to improve briefly when I cleaned the rotor arm. Talking to the Distributor Doctor, he suspects wear within the unit. I have bought a new rotor arm from him which I haven't tried due to self-isolation. Unfortunately a replacement UK Lucas unit from him will be quite expensive as I do not have an original to part-ex. I would like to be sure that it is a dizzy issue before spending £200+ and a further £100+ if I go for a Pertronix set up. Thoughts? Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hamish Posted January 12, 2022 Report Share Posted January 12, 2022 you could try an eBay accuspark unit for 35 quid ? or a complete dizzy from accuspark for 70 sell them on if that's not the issue or see if anyone has an original going spare to be rebuilt there must be some around as people to swap to the likes of 123 etc Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iain Posted January 12, 2022 Report Share Posted January 12, 2022 On 7/9/2021 at 5:56 PM, stuart said: Im with You Peter, I always fit Distributor Doctor rebuilt ones to all my restos. Stuart Dizzy Dr every time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Colin Symonds Posted January 12, 2022 Report Share Posted January 12, 2022 I did have an Accuspark distributor on my 4A, fitted by the PO. However, I have just replaced it with a DD rebuilt Lucas unit, but with a full Lunenition system added, what a difference! Not cheap, but very happy with the resulting smoothness and pick-up throughout the rev range. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted January 12, 2022 Report Share Posted January 12, 2022 I would be looking at other possibilities of your missfire before changing the distributor. with the electronic (hall effect) pickup even a sloppy shaft would not make much difference to the timing, as opposed to points which are much more sensitive. Check HT leads, look for bad or loose connections on the 12 Volt run from ignition switch to coil, check the earth connection inside the distributor etc. Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ctc77965o Posted January 12, 2022 Report Share Posted January 12, 2022 8 hours ago, Ocheye said: I would like to be sure that it is a dizzy issue Get out your timing light and watch what happens to your timing mark as you rev it...if the mark jumps around then the dizzy is not performing....if the mark moves smoothly and reproducibly then the dizzy is doing what it should. Certainly true that an accuspark or a lumenition or whatever are never gonna compensate for mechanical advance wear&tear...and only a little bit for shaft wear. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tr4aJim Posted January 12, 2022 Report Share Posted January 12, 2022 (edited) The PO had installed a Pertronix “Ignitor” distributor in my 4A, which worked fine until it didn’t (without warning, the mechanical advance spring mount broke off). Rather than go with another electronic dizzy, I called the US based Lucas distributor specialist British Vacuum Unit. He sent me a rebuilt correct Lucas dizzy & points, pre set and curved. My car never ran so good! Jim Edited January 12, 2022 by Tr4aJim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted January 13, 2022 Report Share Posted January 13, 2022 1 hour ago, Tr4aJim said: The PO had installed a Pertronix “Ignitor” distributor in my 4A, which worked fine until it didn’t (without warning, the mechanical advance spring mount broke off). Rather than go with another electronic dizzy, I called the US based Lucas distributor specialist British Vacuum Unit. He sent me a rebuilt correct Lucas dizzy & points, pre set and curved. My car never ran so good! Jim Link. https://www.britishvacuumunit.com/lucas-distributors-1.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tr4aJim Posted January 13, 2022 Report Share Posted January 13, 2022 Thanks, I should have included it in my post. Jim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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