distributor troubles

happy days

happy days

Active Member
Just had electronic ignition fitted to my 3500s. took the guy 3.5 hrs to do as he could not get the timing right, idle at 1500 rpm then with foot to floor revs were up to red, but spluttering a touch, when he dropped idle to 900 fott to floor only got 4000 rpm and backfiring. After alot of messing around he came to the conclusion that the dizzy was knackered.
So as a compromise he has left me with idle set at 1300 rpm and although not ideal he says for normal driving this will be ok. Must say car is rapid now as long as you dont high end it in 2nd or 3rd as it will splutter until you change gear.Can it be the dizzy causing this aggro ? your thoughts would be appreciated cheers
 
If it ran better before the electronic ignition was fitted I'd guess the bloke has done something wrong and it's not the distributor .Setting the timing is not that difficult
 
before he fitted the electronicignition the car idled at 900 rpm but wasnt accelerating as a 3500s should, every now and then it would backfire, and was running rough in 4th around the 3000 rpm (70 mph). It runs much better now apart from the fast idle. He says the timing has to be set so the idle is fast to allow it to run smooth at top end.
 
happy days said:
He says the timing has to be set so the idle is fast to allow it to run smooth at top end.
Click to expand...

The timing should be correctly at idle, and then if it doesn't run properly at high speed then that problem needs to be sorted. If there's a problem then the least the bloke doing it should be able to do is give you an idea what it is, rather than bodging his way around it.
 
He has said the distributor is old and cant be set correctly and advised a new distributor as he has set it up the best he can. He took 3.5 hrs to do this and left. I dont know if it was an excuse using the distributor being old s he could get away. In his defense though the car is running much better than before but not as well as it could.Thats why i was asking could he be right and the dizzy is knackered. Anyone here recommend somewhere to sort it (preferably with p6 experience)
 
Basic Lucas distributor checks:

Check that the 2 weights in the baseplate are in place. The springs for each weight should also be different types.

Check that distributor baseplate is free to rotate.

Check that the baseplate earthing braid is connected at each end.

Check that there isn't excessive wear in the distributor shaft.

Check the vacuum advance unit on the side does rotate the baseplate (attach a small piece of hose to the unit and suck - baseplate should move around).

Obvious checks - rotor arm and cap.
 
Agree with Harveys post. Difficult to say much without being there IMO unless you have worked through the normal service routine and good advice above :)
Hopefully a local will volunteer or suggest someone to help who knows their stuff, preferably who wont red line the poor thing in neutral :shock:
 
must admit i had to walk away as this guy was revving te arse of her in neutral, was expecting the old bill to turn up with the backfiring going on :(
 
Hello Happy days,

The factory fitted timing set found in the P6B V8 consists of an aluminium alloy timing wheel with nylon teeth and a morse type chain. Both will contribute to considerable timing fluctuations. You can verify this by connecting up a timing light and then view the timing marks on the pulley as you gradually increase engine revs. If the marks are seen to oscillate back and forth rather then remain essentially still, then you have a definite contributing cause.

The Lucas 35D8 distributors do suffer from main shaft wear as the miles build up, and this is especially problematic when points are retained. During the 1980s, the installation of a Lumenition electronic ignition system was the standard fix for distributors with such a condition. That was certainly the case here in Sydney and the Rovers that I have seen from that time.

Ron.
 
Thanks for the info guys, Sydneyrover that ties in with what the auto electrician was saying, the dizzy shaft was worn and was not turning correctly more like oscillating as it was turning. Am getting in touch with distributor doctor to get his thoughts as suggested earlier
 
Sound advice from Ron there.

I must say the description of events sounds like there is a good deal more awry than just distributor. I think I'd start by trying Ron's suggestion to see if you can verify whether the timing is consistant. If not then a new timing chain and sprockets beckon. If so then I'd try jiggling the distributor shaft side to side. Any perceived movement send off for a rebuild/service exchange. If still no evident problem I think I'd move to thinking about the remaining key tuning issues - ie the carbs.

There's a selection of guides elsewhere on here you can search for (or I'll link for you if you can't find them) as to how to tackle this. But judging by the fact you had someone in to fit the ignition, I'd guess you wouldn't be happy to tackle this yourself. If that's the case, then I think the best advice now would be to take the car to a rolling road known to be competent with SU carbs. This might sound like hammer and nut territory, but I think you will save a large amount of money in the long run. A normal garage is going to have a very steep learning curve to figure out how to deal with this and you'll be paying. And they'll probably take six or seven visits to sort it out - if they do! From a rolling road you will at the very least get an accurate diagnosis as to what is wrong and what work is required.

Just one minor tip to try before you get hooked into all this - have you checked to see if there is any oil in the carburettor dampers. Unscrew the black discs at the very top of the carbs and withdraw conmplete with the stem and brass bobbin at the bottom. Just top up with either engine oil or 3 in 1 oil. The oil ought not to flow back into the carb, but if you had nothing in there we'll let you off this time!

Keep us posted how you get on!

Chris
 
Thanks for the info Chris, yes their is oil in the carbs, i dont mind the sledge hammer nut theory as long as its sorted, rolling road sounds good does anyone know anywhere good in or around Manchester
 
worth checking the timing thing first though - My first v8 ( about 10 years ago!) went skywards due to a slipping chain....

You only make that mistake once!

And keep with it... hard to keep enthused about these things sometimes - i know that much!

Rich
 
Does an electronic distributor from a late SDI fit into a 3500s 1974. Im having dizzy trouble and the tune up guy said this would be a good routeto go if they fitted anyone know
 
Don't go off on a tangent with this one :D focus on getting to the route cause of the trouble, if you have already gone to the expense of fitting electronic ignition, which is the best solution for your motor, dont jump ship in the middle and throw out the baby with the bath water, indeed I might venture so far as to say dont listen to spurious advice from your tune up guy. Perhaps there is some one in your area that is very conversant with the p6B who could give you some genuinely good advice on seeing the car. Sorry if this comes off sounding a bit negative how ever unless you get good advice you will end up chasing your tail and eventually become so disenchanted with your car all enthusiasm may be lost.

Graeme
 
graeme the plane ticket for you is on its way :D I know what your saying but he also thinks dizzy is at fault by what i have described is happening, and says the new electronic dizzys are far better long term if one fitted the car. so sounds like i could have to get a new dizzy anyway
 
If i was in manchester i'd come have a look at least.... There must be someone up that way?

Rich
 
Don't ever remember seeing a p6 here. At the moment she runs ok and am at least having the pleasure of driving her. It will be sorted soon.
 
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