Essex V6 and Lucas Distributor
Discussion
My Essex V6 has the crappy motorcraft distributor, or so I've been told. Others say change it for a Bosch or better still find a Lucas one.
So my question to those with the knowledge....
What are the merits (or not) of the 3 different dizzys and why ?
Aldon do a new dizzy thats a lucas with electronic ignition. But it's exchange.
So my question to those with the knowledge....
What are the merits (or not) of the 3 different dizzys and why ?
Aldon do a new dizzy thats a lucas with electronic ignition. But it's exchange.
I've had a mechanic friend, who runs his own garage and looks after lots of classic cars etc, look the car over. He's timed the engine up and has found a few problems that I've worked through. New plugs, new 8mm silicon leads, new points/rotor arm/cap/condenser. He found that the advance and retart diaphram was split, so that's been swapped with a known good one. But still I get the occasional backfire or splutter and bang through the carb. Carb's been checked and cleaned through and rebuild with new gaskets etc. He did say there was some wear on the dizzy spindle which is causing the advance to waver around on the stobe.
So I've started researching on the dizzy to see what would be the best way to go. Electronic ignition seems a must, but would that help if the dizzy is worn?
So I've started researching on the dizzy to see what would be the best way to go. Electronic ignition seems a must, but would that help if the dizzy is worn?
Depends on the car and your desirability to keep it totally original.
Mechanical systems and electronic systems all have their up and down sides:
Mech:
Typical plus: Less suceptable to complete failure
Typical Neg: Less precise (usually) and more suceptable to wear.
Electronic:
Typical plus: More precise timing and advance control (easier to change, with the right tools)
Typical neg: When it goes, it goes and not in keeping with the car.
An electronic distributor, will still suffer the same shaft play issue.
A full electronic system (no distributor) is the ideal when it is setup correctly and running reliably. But is also not a cheap modification to make and may not be in keeping with the car.
The lucas electronic distributors can be very good, but the electronic units need the advance curve setup for your engine. I don't know if they made one for the Essex V6 or if they can be changed.
If money no object or performance is the primary goal go the full electronic route.
If you just want it running right, I'd personally suggest you get a fully reconditioned standard unit.
Mechanical systems and electronic systems all have their up and down sides:
Mech:
Typical plus: Less suceptable to complete failure
Typical Neg: Less precise (usually) and more suceptable to wear.
Electronic:
Typical plus: More precise timing and advance control (easier to change, with the right tools)
Typical neg: When it goes, it goes and not in keeping with the car.
An electronic distributor, will still suffer the same shaft play issue.
A full electronic system (no distributor) is the ideal when it is setup correctly and running reliably. But is also not a cheap modification to make and may not be in keeping with the car.
The lucas electronic distributors can be very good, but the electronic units need the advance curve setup for your engine. I don't know if they made one for the Essex V6 or if they can be changed.
If money no object or performance is the primary goal go the full electronic route.
If you just want it running right, I'd personally suggest you get a fully reconditioned standard unit.
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