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MG TD TF 1500 - Distributor Numbers?

Had a look in the archive but can't find the info I want. I know the original TD distributor carried the following numbers;

DKY 4A 40162

In my box of TD bits & pieces I have a dizzy with these numbers;

DKY H4A 40237B
A177 1251 (I'm pretty sure it was in the car when I bought it about 45 years ago, but I may be wrong).

I know that the 1251 means Dec 1951. The H is the only difference with the first number. Could this stand for "high lift"? The second numbers are obviously quite different. Does anybody know what make/model this distributor was originally fitted to if not a TD? I plan to use this item, upgraded with a CSI electronic ignition, made in Holland by Classic Inovation B.V., in my TD with the Chet Herbert high lift cam/roller lifter setup. I've seen some pics in the archive of the rotor button pushing/destroying the carbon "pin" in the dizzy cap. I would like to avoid that if I can. Apart from that concern it looks like it will fit. Any help, comment etc would be appreciated. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Just discovered (by googling Lucas Distributors) that the DKYH4A 40237B A177 was fitted originally to a 1951 Morris Cowley Van. Any reason why this dizzy can't be used in a TD with the setup above? Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

It fit several Morris vehicles in the early 50s. See the Lucas distributer listing below.

http://www.classicvehicledata.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/lucasdist46to60.pdf
Richard Cameron

Thanks Richard. That's the list I got when I googled.
P Hehir

Peter

Email me -- ickfry at bigpond dot com

I have a list (PDF 20 pages) of Lucas distributors from circa 1939 thru to at least 1979 which contains some specifications for each distributor. It may help to compare before you use it.

I'd suggest your spare distributor (40237A/B) came from an MO Morris Oxford if you got it in Aust.

Ian
TF4056

Ian Fry

Peter,

The "H" in the number means "horizonal" it was fitted with a cap with the HT leads connected on the side.

If you need to know if this model is interchangeable with the original these are the points you need to verify.

1/ Direction of rotation, should be clockwise, it should have a letter "C" stamped on the shaft at the camshaft end.

2/ The advance curve number, lucas call it the ECM number. This is controlled by the advance springs.

3/ The maximum advance, this is stamped on the plate of the shaft/plate assembly.


4/ the total length of the shaft on the body, if this is the longer shaft you need to add an 1/8 th inch spacer.

Points 2/ and 3/ are not meaningful today as they applied to standared engines using 1950s petrol.



John

J Scragg

Lan, Not to hijack this thread, but just a quick request, would it be possible for you to email me the distributor list? I would love to have a copy. If it's ok, I'll email you. PJ
Paul S Jennings

G'day John. I got the list from Ian & can't believe the detail & the number of dizzys shown! Still need to ensure my cap will fit & that the carbon "pin" isn't overly compressed. From the list I'm OK with the DIR (clockwise). Points 2 & 3 are irrelevant as I'm going electronic. Point 4, I will need to check when I find a driving dog. (Anyone got one for sale?) I can have the spacer turned up on a lathe. I also discovered from the list that my spare was fitted to a Morris Oxford, Cowley, van, pick-up, 10 cwt J van, Traveller & Waggon from 1951 to 1953 & was superceded by 40251. Thanks guys. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

PJ

Go for it

Ian
Ian Fry

Peter,

Your response "Points 2 & 3 are irrelevant as I'm going electronic". is only true, if you are changing to a complete electronic ignition system such as the "123 ignition", if not then the advance springs and the max advance are still used to generate the required advance curve.

John

J Scragg

Going 123 John so no probs! Wanted to get rid of the springs & weights. There are 16 curves offered with the 123 so I'm spoilt for choice. Still looking for a dog. Cheers & thanks for your help.
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Managed to find & dog & have fitted it to my new 123 so the EI is ready to go. Australian distributor of the EI is Modern Classic Cars here in Sydney. Old dizzy went to Holland, was cleaned up & completely rebuilt with the 16 curve EI. The missing cap securing springs were also replaced. Including a new rotor button it was less than $500 all up. I'm pretty happy with that. I'm using suppressed plugs, the original style dizzy cap (new) & the original NOS bakelite plug caps (modified internally to remove the screw) so they are able to be used with the black Magnacore suppressed leads. Also bought a new coil with a resistance on the primary winding of 3.2 ohms, just to be sure. Keeping the original dizzy as a spare just in case I ever need it. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

This thread was discussed between 06/05/2014 and 10/05/2014

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