Distributor - Land Rovers Only

Nanoose · 08-11-2009, 01:28 PM

Greetings!

I've recently become the caretaker of a 1955 Series 1 (SWB) and am in mid-tuneup. I got a spares list from elsewhere on the internet and used it to purchase points, condenser, rotor, plugs etc. But the base of the points don't seem to match. I can't use the new points and am wondering if I'm off on the wrong track. The list seemed to indicate that I should buy supplies for a Lucas 25d4 distributor. Anyone know if that's the original part number?

It would appear that most everything in the truck is stock with the exception of the springs. The body is in amazing shape (except for the lime green paint) and the frame is very sound. It was stored for 50+ years in the dry interior of British Columbia. Here's a photo of her...

Thanks for your help, and if I've missed a section of the forum where this is all annotated, my apologies.

Dave

antichrist · 08-11-2009, 03:44 PM

Bugger, lucky you! That's exactly the Rover I'd love to have. The year I was born.

I'll do some digging in my books and see if I can find an answer. Assuming someone doesn't provide an answer sooner.

pickuprover · 08-12-2009, 05:34 AM

There are 2 sets of points for the lucas distributor. By the looks of the distributor in the picture you need the old set. I believe they are a blue plastic instead of the red plastic. I believe the part number would be rtc3270. Rotor is RTC3612. Condensor RTC3472. Cap (not sure this is a Rover # or my suppliers number) 566859 and plug lead set 587701.

Hope that helps, although, I am not 100% sure that the distributor on there is the same as the one in my parts manual for the Series I. Can you post a closer picture of it? It kinda looks like the wires come off horizontally, instead of vertically, which if is the case, I have no info on that distributor.

antichrist · 08-12-2009, 07:23 AM

The side output cap was the same internally, well, on some anyway, as the top output cap, just an older style.
Glad you have your S1 manual, I looked and couldn't find mine last night

Unfortunately my old very detailed Lucas parts books that covered Series parts are packed away and I don't want to dig them out except as a last resort.

Dave, you might want to check out the Land Rover Series One Club.

Smokey Mountain Man · 08-12-2009, 08:15 AM

I have a S1 cap and distributor set up that I don't need. Let me know if you want it.

Nanoose · 08-12-2009, 10:10 PM

The info is invaluable!

Smokey Mountain Man - Thanks for the offer but I think I'm ok at the moment.

Got the parts, installed them and now I've got crank but no spark. I think of the problem is that the wiring is original. To say it's fragile is an understatement. It's frayed worn and nasty looking. It's gotten too dark to see outside so I'll have to troubleshoot it tomorrow.

Dave

Nanoose · 08-12-2009, 11:22 PM

I just searched old posts and realized I'd grounded the points by installing the wires incorrectly. Running again!

Dave

antichrist · 08-13-2009, 03:51 AM

Glad you got it going!
I'm dying to know, how did you become the "caretaker" of this particular rig?

pickuprover · 08-13-2009, 04:50 AM

glad you got it running... Let me know if you need any other part numbers.

Nanoose · 08-13-2009, 05:25 PM

Hi Tom,

Not sure if "caretaker" is technically correct but it's a term that I think fits. I have this thing for old stuff. We've got an older wood boat (Nanoose)

And I like belt-driven tools - here's my lathe,jointer, scroll saw combo

And I've got a brush chipper that is old and truly frightening.

For these things and others there is a quality, simplicity and timelessness that really appeals to me. The Land Rover is similar in these respects...

And for each of these things its my hope that I'm simply the caretaker. When the time comes that I'm too old or longer here, I hope they're passed on in as good a shape (or better) than when I first saw them.

For the Land Rover - I'd been looking for awhile. I'd seen some real wrecks but knew that when the right one came along I'd know. Mine came up on eBay about a month ago. The original owner had it for 50+ years and sold it to a neighbor. It had spent its life in Penticton, BC. The lime green paint is because the original owner used it to drive out in the woods to do a bit of hunting and a bit of drinking with his buddies. Apparently, after a few wobbly pops, the dark green of the truck was difficult to find amongst the trees - hence the bright green.

Dave

antichrist · 08-14-2009, 09:56 AM

You're lucky I didn't see it on ebay.

I've been looking for a '55 LHD for a good while, unfortunately not diligently enough it would seem.

Greg S · 08-16-2009, 10:42 PM

You will have a DM2 distributor. If you can find a part number for locally available points, (they are available apparently) NAPA, DAP, Lordco or such, please let me know as I need some too, or will. They are to fit my 1955 86 SW.

Greg S

Nanoose · 11-03-2009, 10:56 PM

Hey Greg,

I've gotten a set from Collectors Auto Supply in Peachland. They seem like pretty helpful folks and the price wasn't too outrageous. Of course, I found them AFTER I had JB Auto order in a set that were close and just need some fiddling around to make work. On a related note - do you know part numbers for a new set of spark plug leads?

Dave

Greg S · 11-03-2009, 11:14 PM

I've always made my own with bulk wire and ends. It is getting harder to find a source for the bulk wire. Maybe a specialty automotive electrical shop? In Duncan PC Electric comes to mind. I don't know what might be similar in Vic/ South Island.

What did you use for a part number or information to get the points?

Nanoose · 11-04-2009, 11:27 PM

The cross referencing took a long time. In the end JB Auto ordered in a set of Standard (the brand) points, part# LU1316. The base isn't an exact match but I just made some relatively minor mods and they seem to work ok. Time will tell. I also ordered a set from Collectors Auto and they seem to be an exact match. Their part number is CS 204.