Using the wrong distributor
Using the wrong distributor
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anonymous-user

Original Poster:

84 months

Friday 12th August 2011
quotequote all
Right my old beans, how bad is it to run a 'wrong' distributor on a car? In my case a 71 Mini. I was sold it few months back as was told it was the right one for a Mini. £85.
Great as the previous one was knackered so I had that.
The car has never been one to start quickly or first time for that matter so I've never taken much notice in it.
However, the guy who is currently spraying my car noticed it and asked where did you buy that distributor? I said ********** and then he said it's not the right one for you car, in fact it's off an old Landie with some Mini parts stuck on the bottom to make it fit. We took it over the road to get it checked, he had one off a Landie and the one that should be used on mine and compared.
Mine was off a Landie.
So I bought the one that should be used on mine and the guy promised me it will start a lot lot better than it did with that st on.
I dug out my old receipt and took the Landie one back to where I got it from and the guy obviously knew because he just gave me a refund no questions. Unfortunately I can't name and shame.
Sorry to go on but I just wanted to tell the story behind my question.

  • Oh and the place who I had the proper one off sold them for £100 but he let me have it for £85 because he's mates with my Grandad.

Perd Hapley

1,750 posts

203 months

Friday 12th August 2011
quotequote all
Cool story bro smile

andy-xr

13,204 posts

234 months

Friday 12th August 2011
quotequote all
I had an alternator from (I think it was a) Sierra on my old old Quantum which was Fiesta based.

Did the job just fine

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

84 months

Friday 12th August 2011
quotequote all
Perd Hapley said:
Cool story bro smile
Thanks. It is pretty cool.

mcford

819 posts

204 months

Friday 12th August 2011
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The advance/retard mechanisms could have different characteristics, which could lead to all sorts of running problems, pre ignition causing extra engine stresses are a possibility.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

84 months

Friday 12th August 2011
quotequote all
Do you know if it could be long term damage or would it have happened by now and I can stop worrying?

Engineer1

10,486 posts

239 months

Friday 12th August 2011
quotequote all
I would guess that provided the spark was at the right time then it wouldn't really matter, it may be the Landy one is the same part in a new housing to fit a Landrover, lots of vehicles share parts and in some cases you would be surprised at what is shared.

NHK244V

3,358 posts

202 months

Friday 12th August 2011
quotequote all
Engineer1 said:
I would guess that provided the spark was at the right time then it wouldn't really matter, it may be the Landy one is the same part in a new housing to fit a Landrover, lots of vehicles share parts and in some cases you would be surprised at what is shared.
/\ this /\
TBH i'd tell the sprayer to stick to spraying wink
they both use a version of the Lucas 45D4 dizzy so it is ment to be the same with mini specific bits in it, they also come in triumphs and fords and a bazillion other vehicals.

Edited by NHK244V on Friday 12th August 22:55

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

84 months

Friday 12th August 2011
quotequote all
NHK244V said:
/\ this /\
TBH i'd tell the sprayer to stick to spraying wink

Edited by NHK244V on Friday 12th August 22:55
It wasn't the sprayer, he works next door to an electrical place. Of who I bought my new distributor off.

NHK244V

3,358 posts

202 months

Saturday 13th August 2011
quotequote all
PSBuckshot said:
It wasn't the sprayer, he works next door to an electrical place. Of who I bought my new distributor off.
then why say this ?
"However, the guy who is currently spraying my car noticed it and asked where did you buy that distributor?"

as i said they all use the same dizzy