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MG TD TF 1500 - distributor springs

hello.I would like your comm ents and advice
re distributor D2a40368 specially the size of the advance springs.
Thank you in advance. Picture.
thoralf. NORWAY. TD 4490

Thoralf Sorensen (TD4490)

Thoralf
I don't know much about TD's but I would think the springs in that dist. are way too heavy/strong
Specially the heavier one--normally you would see more movement available in the long slot of the that heavier spring
The smaller spring usually works alone up to say 2500 engine revs and then the stronger one contacts the peg and works from then on
Having said that, the advance curve of these old distributors even in perfect original condition needs changing to suit modern fuels
I would suggest something like
Idle----10-12deg
Fulladvance--34-35deg total and all finished by 3000-3500rpm
The original advance curve was set up for very low octane fuel
A good modern distributor advance curve will make a big difference to how your car goes

willy
William Revit

Hi Willy
What’s a good modern distributor advance curve please??
Thanks John
J A Davies

John
Compared to a std. TD curve, which when new didn't complete it's advancing till about 5000 revs to allow for running the fuel of the time which was only about 70-something octane---
A more modern curve as mentioned with-
10-12 idle and 34-35 total advance all up and all finished by not much after 3000 is more suitable for these engines on today's fuel
willy
William Revit

One spring is supposed to be thicker than the other. Most I have seen the thick spring has a longer eyelet which allows advance to be controlled by the small spring until higher revs, then the strong spring engages. It appears your strong thick spring is already engaged, which would prevent advance at lower RPMs.
George Butz

Buy some new springs from the Distributor Doctor. He will sell you the correct ones, they don't cost very much and they will make a big difference to the running of the engine.

Jan T
J Targosz

This thread was discussed between 29/10/2017 and 01/11/2017

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