Distributor
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Distributor
Hi all
Has anyone got alternative distributors fitted ?
My car that came with no distributor was likely fitted with a Lucas 43DM4 unit . You cant get this now .
Our usual suppliers have no used units and I suspect if I am to buy new there are better alternatives .
If you have fitted something else and it works can you let me know please . Or any other thoughts .
Thanks
1983 Excel 2.2l LC
David
Has anyone got alternative distributors fitted ?
My car that came with no distributor was likely fitted with a Lucas 43DM4 unit . You cant get this now .
Our usual suppliers have no used units and I suspect if I am to buy new there are better alternatives .
If you have fitted something else and it works can you let me know please . Or any other thoughts .
Thanks
1983 Excel 2.2l LC
David
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Re: Distributor
Not tried on a Lotus but on a Mini I used Simonbbc.com , might be worth a call to find out the options, I think (IIRC) the M4 designates the advance characteristics so there might be a close equivalent they do.
- Alan_M
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Re: Distributor
I have a 123 bluetooth one fitted. No problems once map set up.
- Alan_M
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Re: Distributor
I didn’t fit it, it was the PO, but it is the bluetooth version.
Everything is contained in the distributor so nothing additional needed.
Mine also has built in programmable Rev limiter and immobiliser. You can program mechanical and vacuum advance to match the original, or can adjust to fine tune if you want.
Everything is contained in the distributor so nothing additional needed.
Mine also has built in programmable Rev limiter and immobiliser. You can program mechanical and vacuum advance to match the original, or can adjust to fine tune if you want.
- rbgosling
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Re: Distributor
Oooh, that sounds good! I could see myself spending a lot of time flooring it from low revs, tweaking the advance as far as I can get it before it pinks. So if it's bluetooth, does that mean you can play with the curve via an app on your 'phone or something?Alan_M wrote: ↑Thu Jun 23, 2022 09:41I didn’t fit it, it was the PO, but it is the bluetooth version.
Everything is contained in the distributor so nothing additional needed.
Mine also has built in programmable Rev limiter and immobiliser. You can program mechanical and vacuum advance to match the original, or can adjust to fine tune if you want.
"Farmer" Richard
1990 Lotus Excel SE (Lilith)
2022 MG MG5 EV (not due to be a classic for quite a few years...)
2011 Nissan Leaf (Ragly - EV pioneer, must be due to be a classic one day)
1990 Lotus Excel SE (Lilith)
2022 MG MG5 EV (not due to be a classic for quite a few years...)
2011 Nissan Leaf (Ragly - EV pioneer, must be due to be a classic one day)
- Alan_M
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Re: Distributor
Yes, you can program both vacuum and mechanical advance via a Bluetooth app. Then when driving you can advance timing 1 degree at a time up to a max of 10 degrees IIRC.rbgosling wrote: ↑Thu Jun 23, 2022 11:12Oooh, that sounds good! I could see myself spending a lot of time flooring it from low revs, tweaking the advance as far as I can get it before it pinks. So if it's bluetooth, does that mean you can play with the curve via an app on your 'phone or something?Alan_M wrote: ↑Thu Jun 23, 2022 09:41I didn’t fit it, it was the PO, but it is the bluetooth version.
Everything is contained in the distributor so nothing additional needed.
Mine also has built in programmable Rev limiter and immobiliser. You can program mechanical and vacuum advance to match the original, or can adjust to fine tune if you want.
When driving you have a dashboard on the app that shows live data of how much advance, vacuum, rpm, voltage, temp and GPS speed.
- bash
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Re: Distributor
Total advance is what you need to be looking at, typically 34 to 36 degrees and then work back from that. At tickover its all static advance, I ve forgotten the specifics for the lotus engine cos Ive gone v8, but, weights and vacuum add about 11 degrees x2, so 22 degrees- ish, so ideally static needs to be at 12 to 14 degrees. Someone will chime in with the specifics but total advance is whats important.
Bear in mind Im not as bright as I look.
Bash
Bear in mind Im not as bright as I look.
Bash
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.
Re: Distributor
Thanks for the replies .
Powesrspark arrived toady , seems like a good unit , electronic and with a new coil 1/3 cost of other options from the suppliers we are all using for some of our needs .
One day I will get the engine back together to know if it works
Powesrspark arrived toady , seems like a good unit , electronic and with a new coil 1/3 cost of other options from the suppliers we are all using for some of our needs .
One day I will get the engine back together to know if it works
Re: Distributor
It's taken a year to get it back together and no spark.
Spent much of today doing all the tests , cleaning all terminals and testing volts and continuity. No spark at all. I have ordered a £20 amplifier unit of e bay for the unit and will try again next weekend.
Has anyone fitted one of these powerspark distributors and if so how did you wire it .. I have the service book and can see the wiring diagrams. Are there any on this forum as alternatives
Thanks
Spent much of today doing all the tests , cleaning all terminals and testing volts and continuity. No spark at all. I have ordered a £20 amplifier unit of e bay for the unit and will try again next weekend.
Has anyone fitted one of these powerspark distributors and if so how did you wire it .. I have the service book and can see the wiring diagrams. Are there any on this forum as alternatives
Thanks
Re: Distributor
As an update all sorted . The Powerspark does not need any of the Lotus ignition parts to work, just power off the coil and we were away .
Did a first start up last weekend after the engine rebuild and it started almost immediately . Watched the carbs fill up and turned the key and within two seconds it was alive . Lots more assembly still to go but getting nearer to another one back on the road .
Did a first start up last weekend after the engine rebuild and it started almost immediately . Watched the carbs fill up and turned the key and within two seconds it was alive . Lots more assembly still to go but getting nearer to another one back on the road .
- MetBlue
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Re: Distributor
Great work.
Always good when there life in an engine again. Roll on the day my Elite fires up.
Tony
Always good when there life in an engine again. Roll on the day my Elite fires up.
Tony
What goes together.... Must come apart.
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Re: Distributor
Does the replacement Powerspark dizzy come with mechanical advance? If so they use a generic timing setup, not the specific setup for the Lotus engine. You could look at fitting the advance springs from your old dizzy to the Powerspark unit if the timing doesn’t seem to be right.Cliffords wrote: ↑Fri Apr 14, 2023 08:10As an update all sorted . The Powerspark does not need any of the Lotus ignition parts to work, just power off the coil and we were away .
Did a first start up last weekend after the engine rebuild and it started almost immediately . Watched the carbs fill up and turned the key and within two seconds it was alive . Lots more assembly still to go but getting nearer to another one back on the road .
Cheers, Richard
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Re: Distributor
Nice one! It's fantastic when you first hear the engine fire up
Pete
Pete
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Re: Distributor
More to the advance curve than the springs. The working range is governed by a stop on the rotating cam spindle, the radial position of the stop determines max advance. Eg. If the stop occurs radially at 12 degrees then the max advance will be 24 degs plus the static setting. The springs also work against a matched set of weights. If the weights differ from those in the OE dizzy, then the advance curve will proceed differently.
Also lots of variation in vacuum capsule advance characteristics too.
Also lots of variation in vacuum capsule advance characteristics too.
Peter K