Mgb distributor options
Discussion
Basically I think the distributor on my mgb is worn out, I've had the timing professionally set up a few times and had the odd fiddle myself, but it pinks on hills or under load. I'm pretty sure the fuel mixture is spot on also. I have a lot of paperwork for the car and I think the only thing that hasn't been replaced or reconditioned in the past 25 years is the distributor! Hence my conclusion :P
So.. What Are the options? I've thought about having the distributor doctor rebuild it, but enquiries suggest the car would be off the road for a while. I'd imagine most 'new' distributors even from clubs are Chinese s
t and will break in 10 minutes. Which made me question the 123 distributor? Basically is it worth the rather steep cost? My car has a standard engine and basically I want something fairly reliable (a reliable mgb? :O). I've always preferred points and condenser, but recent quality issues, plus the fact the distributor isn't the easiest to reach has made me look elsewhere.
Cheers
So.. What Are the options? I've thought about having the distributor doctor rebuild it, but enquiries suggest the car would be off the road for a while. I'd imagine most 'new' distributors even from clubs are Chinese s
t and will break in 10 minutes. Which made me question the 123 distributor? Basically is it worth the rather steep cost? My car has a standard engine and basically I want something fairly reliable (a reliable mgb? :O). I've always preferred points and condenser, but recent quality issues, plus the fact the distributor isn't the easiest to reach has made me look elsewhere.Cheers
I'm tempted by one. I'd like to think my car is in good mechanical condition, it's used often and regularly serviced, not tempting fate but it's been completely reliable apart from a few niggles when I got it!
Hmm yeah I think the whole distributor is worn, it also looks old and looking around the internet I'm thinking the shaft/weights/springs are worn, hence thinking it would be best to replace the lot. As new replacements aren't great I was thinking of the 123, as, as Nigel says, you get what you pay for. I do like points and condenser believe it or not, but they're such a pain to get to on the B. I will look into those units but I am swaying towards the 123, IIRC there is one made for the mgb, although reading into re: advance curves, but it got a tad confusing
I generally run the car on shell v power (98/99?), the car was originally set up for 95, but last time it was set it was running v power, there is a slight different but it still likes to pink on hills etc. I may try Tesco momentum out of interest, originally worried about ethanol content but ill have to make sure use it up quick
Cheers
Hmm yeah I think the whole distributor is worn, it also looks old and looking around the internet I'm thinking the shaft/weights/springs are worn, hence thinking it would be best to replace the lot. As new replacements aren't great I was thinking of the 123, as, as Nigel says, you get what you pay for. I do like points and condenser believe it or not, but they're such a pain to get to on the B. I will look into those units but I am swaying towards the 123, IIRC there is one made for the mgb, although reading into re: advance curves, but it got a tad confusing
I generally run the car on shell v power (98/99?), the car was originally set up for 95, but last time it was set it was running v power, there is a slight different but it still likes to pink on hills etc. I may try Tesco momentum out of interest, originally worried about ethanol content but ill have to make sure use it up quick
Cheers
Thanks again guys
Thought I'd try a different set of points just out of pure interest, installed car ran fine, brilliant. Next day started car and it started misfiring badly and eventually cut out, then upon trying to restart i think I flooded it (1st time I've ever done that) but sorted that out and blamed the crap points.
Put old (old so probably good quality) points in and same again but once it was up to temperature and I took it out on the road it was perfect, plenty of power and no pinking at all. Yet now and then it will still randomly fart and splutter, backfire etc for a bit but will usually sort itself after some revs. Almost as if there's over fuelling or a weak spark at certain time. Seems quite random
Went through all of the ignition components, substituting various bits and all seems to be in order, fine this afternoon ( but it was the other day) so will keep fingers crossed for now, but I'm not convinced, Probably something I've done but could be a coincidence. Seems I've cured one problem but created another
Anyways I'm pretty sure it's points or condenser related, or a short/wire in there somewhere, hence my quest on electronic. For the 123 is it worth buying the MGB specific one or the normal 4 cylinder one (I've seen recommendations for both for the mgb). i see the mgoc sell them and I'd probably get it from them (not sure which one they sell though). However I'm still reluctant to spend the £300 but I suppose I am tight, but if it proves to be reliable then I'm happy! I've looked at electronic kits which go inside the original Dissy but they seem to be hit and miss. Just looking at some cost saving measures :P
Thought I'd try a different set of points just out of pure interest, installed car ran fine, brilliant. Next day started car and it started misfiring badly and eventually cut out, then upon trying to restart i think I flooded it (1st time I've ever done that) but sorted that out and blamed the crap points.
Put old (old so probably good quality) points in and same again but once it was up to temperature and I took it out on the road it was perfect, plenty of power and no pinking at all. Yet now and then it will still randomly fart and splutter, backfire etc for a bit but will usually sort itself after some revs. Almost as if there's over fuelling or a weak spark at certain time. Seems quite random
Went through all of the ignition components, substituting various bits and all seems to be in order, fine this afternoon ( but it was the other day) so will keep fingers crossed for now, but I'm not convinced, Probably something I've done but could be a coincidence. Seems I've cured one problem but created another
Anyways I'm pretty sure it's points or condenser related, or a short/wire in there somewhere, hence my quest on electronic. For the 123 is it worth buying the MGB specific one or the normal 4 cylinder one (I've seen recommendations for both for the mgb). i see the mgoc sell them and I'd probably get it from them (not sure which one they sell though). However I'm still reluctant to spend the £300 but I suppose I am tight
, but if it proves to be reliable then I'm happy! I've looked at electronic kits which go inside the original Dissy but they seem to be hit and miss. Just looking at some cost saving measures :P- also been looking at getting my original Dissy reconditioned by the distributor doctor but not sure which avenue is best to take
Edited by Dbest92 on Saturday 16th August 19:28
Edited by Dbest92 on Saturday 16th August 19:34
v8250 said:
OP,
123 dizzies are great but to be frank most owners don't need one. My suggestion is you buy a very good quality electronic high spark unit [25D or 45D] from SimonBBC. The units are well made, completely reliable and very well priced. I've used a number of these from SimonBBC and they've never let me down. They often have bundle prices for a distributor and coil together plus the customer support from this company is first rate.
I'm using the V8 version for my roadster conversion and have just bought the high output fuel pump + filter + lightweight alloy fixing from them this week. Give them a call...
see...http://www.simonbbc.com/distributors/4cyl-high-energy/45d-high-energy-electronic-mgb-distributor
Ideal, thanks for that! That is a cheap price I have to say, especially as they're on offer! surprising they can get a quality item for that price? But it's something I'll consider, seeing as I do need a new distributor after today's investigations! 123 dizzies are great but to be frank most owners don't need one. My suggestion is you buy a very good quality electronic high spark unit [25D or 45D] from SimonBBC. The units are well made, completely reliable and very well priced. I've used a number of these from SimonBBC and they've never let me down. They often have bundle prices for a distributor and coil together plus the customer support from this company is first rate.
I'm using the V8 version for my roadster conversion and have just bought the high output fuel pump + filter + lightweight alloy fixing from them this week. Give them a call...
see...http://www.simonbbc.com/distributors/4cyl-high-energy/45d-high-energy-electronic-mgb-distributor
Thanks for the offer v8250 but ordered a 123 in the end! (Jealous of that immaculate engine bay though)
Have to say I'm massively impressed with the 123, I've not fine tuned it properly yet and it's a bit flat at lower revs, but I don't think it's far off. No pinking at all now or spluttering at low revs, has made the engine quite flexible. I ended up with the MG one in the end, despite reading recommendations for the standard 123 for 4 cylinder car, it seems fine. On inspection my old distributor was from a different car, so that with no vacuum advance was the cause of my problems!
Took a bit of time to instal though as initially wouldn't run when all was set to TDC. in the end I just kept advancing it until it turned about 90 degrees and walla!
Another job ticked off the list
Have to say I'm massively impressed with the 123, I've not fine tuned it properly yet and it's a bit flat at lower revs, but I don't think it's far off. No pinking at all now or spluttering at low revs, has made the engine quite flexible. I ended up with the MG one in the end, despite reading recommendations for the standard 123 for 4 cylinder car, it seems fine. On inspection my old distributor was from a different car, so that with no vacuum advance was the cause of my problems!
Took a bit of time to instal though as initially wouldn't run when all was set to TDC. in the end I just kept advancing it until it turned about 90 degrees and walla!
Another job ticked off the list
Yeah it needs some fine tuning, but it's running pretty well so I can get back driving it again, problem is I don't think there any classic garages with a rolling road in cornwall, or not what I've seen so far. However as you say ill fine tune it on a hill advancing it until it pinks then back it off which should get it close enough.
The old unit had a vacuum unit on it, but on closer investigation it didn't work. It was kind of the correct Dissy, as in a 25d, but the serial number didn't match any MG serial numbers. Leads and plugs are new, tappets are ok.
Overall the 123 is a decent bit of kit. I'm not expecting to get it spot on as the curves are probably a bit different and there's bound to be other variables, but it doesn't run too bad at the moment, so a bit of fine tuning and it should be pretty good
The old unit had a vacuum unit on it, but on closer investigation it didn't work. It was kind of the correct Dissy, as in a 25d, but the serial number didn't match any MG serial numbers. Leads and plugs are new, tappets are ok.
Overall the 123 is a decent bit of kit. I'm not expecting to get it spot on as the curves are probably a bit different and there's bound to be other variables, but it doesn't run too bad at the moment, so a bit of fine tuning and it should be pretty good
Well I've had a good fiddle and am pretty happy with the set up now! There's a long uphill 2 lane stretch of road near me with a few lay-bys. Who knows how many times I went up and down but I think I've got it pretty dam close to what it should be. Advanced until it pinked and kept backing off in small amounts until it doesn't. Runs super now, very flexible, smooth and performs well.
Interesting about the curve choices, I was tempted to try a different one, but it's running well where it is now therefore reluctant to change it. A definite improvement from what it was! As for static timing, this seemed problematic at first and I could only get decent results by turning the distributor. Either way, doing it myself and getting it running like it is proved to good a good learning 'curve' (har har), which I'm quite pleased about! Previously I'd always considered timing to be a 'dark art'
Finished securing the wiring and a fresh coat of autoglym wax to keep it shining like a typical B, and all's good!
Interesting about the curve choices, I was tempted to try a different one, but it's running well where it is now therefore reluctant to change it. A definite improvement from what it was! As for static timing, this seemed problematic at first and I could only get decent results by turning the distributor. Either way, doing it myself and getting it running like it is proved to good a good learning 'curve' (har har), which I'm quite pleased about! Previously I'd always considered timing to be a 'dark art'
Finished securing the wiring and a fresh coat of autoglym wax to keep it shining like a typical B
, and all's good!Gassing Station | MG | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff