Distributor went "Sproing"

[ChamplainRover]

How I arrived where I am now with my '95 LWB, I'll spare you. However, when I went to change the cap and rotor, the rotor seemed to have a great deal of play and I heard a spring or two going sproing. Yes, I knew to use a chisel if it wouldn't come off, but it seemed to be messed up when I got there.

So, I need either to:

1. Rebuild the dizzy (have been told this is a pain and maybe outside my very limited mechanical skills) so need advice on the process and source for parts

OR

2. Replace

Suggestions?

If #2, Paul Grant, are you out there?

Thanks, ChamplainRover

[ChamplainRover]

Follow up:

I have the AB rebuild kit for the dizzy. Any tricks or common mistakes I should be aware of?

CR

[deadboy1977]

I sent mine out to advanced distributors for a rebuild - was under $100 with shipping - cleaned, checked bearing, tested on a machine, etc.

[bartell]

Originally Posted by ChamplainRover

1. Rebuild the dizzy (have been told this is a pain and maybe outside my very limited mechanical skills) so need advice on the process and source for parts

OR

2. Replace

Suggestions? Thanks, ChamplainRover

The basics are immutable. The Lucas 35 series distributors are all poorly designed and deliver a degraded spark (at best). When we put them on an oscilloscope, the results were depressing. No wonder everyone is always looking to timing chains and ignition wires in hope of cheap solutions. Of course, these Rover V8 distributors are also very expensive (the icing on the cake!). You can try to rebuild them, or festoon them with addons or pray to your Auto Gods of choice but the basics don't change. It will remain a so-so distributor.

The cheapest good solution (and there are some other VERY expensive good solutions out there) is to switch to a Mallory UNILITE distributor (NOT THE MALLORY DUAL POINT).

The only hassles are 1) moving your existing distributor drive gear from your present unit to the Mallory. This takes a drill and 10 minutes but must be done right (namely proper clearance between dizzie body and the gear.) 2.) You will also need a ballast resistor (any motor factor) unless you want to buy a Mallory internally ballast resisted coil or get one from your Mallory supplier.

In the UK, the Unilite price varies widely. The best price I have seen in the UK was when I dropped in last to Real Steel (near Heathrow)..at about 1/2 the price of a reconditioned Lucas 35DM8. In the US, Century Performance is the place to go for good prices.

You will be pleased. Nothing else is necessary after that..no new fancy spark wires, no fancy power amp, no "kits", no ritual chanting..

James