Triumph distributors for dummies?

[MadRiver]

Howdy all. Although I was able to extracate myself from my ignitiation system problem on Tuesday, I think the time has come to lavish some much-needed attention on my distributor. I haven't fiddled around with an LBC distributor in *years*, and at this point, am only armed with the basics. I would really appreciate it if anyone could direct me to a good resource for rehabbing a distributor -- you know, installing new points, setting the gap, a new capaciter, setting the timing -- I'd really appreciate it. Something targeted towards a five year old or perhaps a chimp would be best for me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Thanks!

 

[Brosky]

If you really want to do it right and make sure that the car is setup for probably as long as you'll own it, go to www.advanceddistributors.com.

Here's what he did to my distributor: https://www.74tr6.com/distributor.htm

This is of course the ultimate of fixes if you are interested.

Good luck,

 

[Andrew Mace]

Nothing wrong with Paul's solution! However, if you really want to learn, one way is to check your local public library and see if they have or can get for you a copy of O'Kane, Dick: How to Repair Your Foreign Car. Doubleday & Company, Inc., Garden City, New York. 1968 (LC Card Catalog Number 68-12158 -- OK, I'm a librarian, hence a "proper" bibliographic citation!)

You'll learn a lot without feeling like that five-year-old while learning, you'll laugh out loud many times, and ultimately you'll either not return the book (and risk a hefty fine and the undying wrath of every librarian in the free world) or search Amazon.com, abebooks.com, etc., until you find your own copy to keep!

Examples: Chapter 13 is entitled "'Carburetor' is a French Word Meaning 'Leave It Alone'." And I also quote Chapter 7 (Patching Your Own Flat Tires) complete: "Anyone who would sit down by the side of the road, dismount a tire from the rim with hand tire irons, patch the tube, remount the tire and then blow it up to pressure with one of those neat bicycle pumps supplied with older British cars just to save two dollars has got to be out of his mind."

 

[Keoke]

Sounds like good advice to me Mace.--Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Brosky]

I think it's great advice as well. Nothing wrong with learning along the way. It will help in the event of a problem down the road and it makes owning the car a bit more fun when you actually do the work yourself.

But if you want to go the other route, I just got my original back from Jeff and here is what it looks like all rebuilt to factory specs:

 

[DNK]

Paul, you geting sales royalties from them
just yanking your chain.
Bill- they do nice work

 

[Brosky]

Bill, my royalties (if I were to get any) have a long way to go to catch up with the spending. I've actually had Jeff do several project distributors for me. I just feel that when I find a vendor who actually cares enough to do great work at a reasonable price that I should promote them. How many guys are out there ripping people off with sloppy work and price gouging? Let's promote the good guys and point out the ones to be cautious with so that we all get our money's worth.

 

[vettedog72]

IF you cannot find any slop in the main shaft bushing, then a simple and inexpensive tune up can be accomplished. Main problems I have seen is the internal wires have degradation in the insulation so they need replacement. The bushing can wear (this requires a pretty big and expensive repair; usually can’t be done at home) and owners forget or do not know how to lube the shaft (which is called for on a regular basis). Changing the points and condenser is a regular maintenance item. It may become a "lost art form" because only old cars have this mechanism in the distributor. If you want to improve the looks of the engine bay, then have it rebuilt by a pro and get it polished.