This is a post that I have been putting off writing for a while, as I dont wish to be the poor policeman who often reports the stuff thats not good, but the truth is us mini owners are being sold so many "rubbish" parts. Distributors I understand quite well as I do see whats possible with a decent quality ignition system . Great performance , reliability, accurate timing , economy, driveability, no fouling of plugs, the list goes on.
The problem is many new distributors (mainly points varieties) have many problems ,some can be fixed as in too much advance (up to 50 degrees total.. a mini needs around 32) rotor button not pointing at the terminal in the cap when firing (phasing .. difficult to fix) , but recently noted is the fact that the cam in the centre is not ground in 4 ninety degree angles, and some cylinders are firing up to 15 degrees away from the correct spot.. That is CATASTATROPHIC
If you wish to check yours you can set a timing light on each plug seperately and see if the timing lines up the same each time.
If the timing is a small amount out (up to 5 deg) one plugs is worst and 2 others about 1/2, then its probably a bent shaft (fixable)
If yours is further out, it is really a bin job, or return it to the vendor who will most likely end up out of pocket because the manufacturers these days rarely refund for the dud parts they make !
Mini engines also have quite bad harmonics or vibrations , anything that is loose makes the timing leap all over the place at revs. This includes rotor buttons, caps, top plates , shaft bushes, and the slide on centre pickup when fitting an electronic conversion.Good luck cheers Lindsay Siebler

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1959 Austin A40 Farina fun car
1965 Mk1 Cooper S restored
1970 Colt 1100F SS restored
2014 Mitsubishi Imiev fully electric daily driver
1948 Allard M coupe Olds 215 v8 project
1971 Twin cam Escort ex Uk championship winning rally car project

I have seen some of these problems with new distributors

A cheaper solution to a lot of the above is fit an electronic ignition module to your original points distributor.
Quick and easy to fit.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I absolutely agree with you Drmini , if you do not wish to spend a lot , fit an electronic module to a genuine OLD Lucas distributor A worn oldie may be lots better than a new chistributor . I have said this previously, but a very large percentage of people want new . Its the engine you are helping to damage by not fitting something thats accurate ... $200 does not buy accuracy Buyer beware But there are professional people who have distributor testers and analysers ... seek there help if in doubt ... dont take that Ebay ad as gospel
cheers Lindsay Siebler

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1959 Austin A40 Farina fun car
1965 Mk1 Cooper S restored
1970 Colt 1100F SS restored
2014 Mitsubishi Imiev fully electric daily driver
1948 Allard M coupe Olds 215 v8 project
1971 Twin cam Escort ex Uk championship winning rally car project

I had my original cooper s distributor checked by on a old dissy tester and not surprisingly the advance springs were worn and not advancing correctly.

However he also discovered the cam was worn and not giving even firing.

I currently have the advance locked and use a electronic timing module and electronic points.

One day I would like to have the distributor restored and the cam and springs fixed etc.

Any recommendations who might do this?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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68 Morris Cooper S Mk1 (*ex 78 1275 LS 4th last built, 70 Morris 1500 OHC & 70 MiniMatic)

Performance Ignition Services in Melbourne should be able to help you out.

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Slide
1965 Mini Van (1360)
1970 Mk2 Cooper S (1310)
1978 Rover SD1 V8 (4.6)
1996 Land Rover Discovery V8 (4.0)

Better off rebushing the original and fitting electronic module. One or the other won't make it as good as it can be, but both together would,

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the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates