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Which distributor to use?
Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2016 10:08 am
by Charles H
My 1966 Mk1 rally car has an early (132 bhp) camshaft, but is still running the original 40967 distributor. Would it be beneficial to use the 41236 distributor as fitted to the 132bhp cars?
Re: Which distributor to use?
Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2016 11:43 am
by Mike Stevens
Hi Charles,
Yes, I suspect it would probably run better.
However, another alternative might be to fit a modern, electronic one. They can be programmed to whatever advance curve you want by just plugging into a PC. You could start with the PI curve and then experiment which would be a good thing as the original curves would have been set when we had old-fashioned 4-star, not like this modern stuff. A friend has one on his Series 1 XJ6 (and I had to set it up for him!). It seems to run OK.
I think I've seen them at about £100 and up, so not a huge amount these days!
Cheers,
Mike.
Re: Which distributor to use?
Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2016 3:30 pm
by Charles H
Thanks Mike
I however can't go the electronic route, because it is not allowed in the regulations for historic rallying! I will keep a lookout for a 41236!
Re: Which distributor to use?
Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2016 11:43 am
by Mike Stevens
Hi Charles,
Of course - I'd forgotten that.
I *think* I have a spare (or even 2). I will check. If I have 2 you're welcome to one of them. I may be able to look tomorrow but if not it won't be for a week or so.
Cheers,
Mike.
Re: Which distributor to use?
Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2016 1:40 pm
by Charles H
That is very kind Mike. Thank you.
Re: Which distributor to use?
Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2016 4:31 pm
by Mike Stevens
Hi Charles,
I have had a look and although I have found a spare 41236, I've only found one so far. I must have some other distributors and I have found a later one (as used on the 'S' etc) but no more of the earlier ones yet. They must be hiding somewhere.
Cheers,
Mike.
Re: Which distributor to use?
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 10:23 am
by Steve G
Not sure if it helps much but I experimented with a couple of different distributors on my car and noticed a difference. Mine has an S enigne with a slightly better cam. The S distributor gave better acceleration but caused a lot of popping and banging on overrun. I fitted a PI distributor in the end as it made the car more pleasant to drive.
First thing I do if I ever get it back on the road is fit the S distributor again and find a big hill !
With the advent of the programmable distributors can you use the workshop manual advance curves to programme them or is is just a case of driving the car and setting it up ?
Re: Which distributor to use?
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2016 3:52 am
by tony
I wonder, with modern high octane fuels, if the original advance specs are no longer valid.
Tony.
Re: Which distributor to use?
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2016 8:12 am
by Charles H
Thank you for looking Mike. If your other one ever pops up......
Steve and Tony, thanks for your input. As you say it really is a trial and error thing, but since I have the PI cam, it probably is a better distributor to try. Unfortunately, I cannot go down the electronic distributor route because I compete in historic rallies with the car, and they were not fitted in period and therefore not allowed in the regulations!
Re: Which distributor to use?
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2016 9:25 am
by Steve G
Can you build something up from spares to give you the right spec if you can't find the right one ? I've had engines set up on a rolling road so they give the best power. Once you know the maximum advance needed it's just a case of setting the distributor up so you have a suitable idle setting. Sound easy writing it but remember having a bench full of weights and springs trying to work it all out. Vacuum adavance is another thing altogether not all PI's had advance units on them did they ?
Are there people around who can build them to a spec now ? Aldon used to make all the Mini so they might be able to help.