Some history...
Fuel injected BMC A series engines, which reved to nearly 10,000 rpm in
Formula cars in the late 1960's, used Lucas 23D (i.e. non vacuum advance
version of the Lucas 25D) distributors. The Healey 3000 works cars at
Sebring in 1965 also used a 6 cyl version of the Lucas 23D. Exactly the same
as your 25D6 - but no vacuum advance (there is no where to connect a vacuum
advance when you have fuel injection or triple webers anyway.)
Not to mention the earlier Formula 3 Coopers - like the Cooper T72 BMC which
a Scottish bloke called Jackie Stewart drove pretty successfully for Ken
Tyrrell in the 1964 European Formula 3 season. BMC A series power - Lucas
distributor.
The Lucas 23D/25D series of distributors (4 and 6 cylinder, as found in
Sprites & late 3000's) aren't actually as bad as everyone makes out. Nothing
wrong with a rebuilt Lucas distributor, correctly graphed to your engine,
running points. People have been doing using them for years.
Of course most mechanical things over 40 years old need a rebuild. Didn't
most of the rest of the car?
Best
Chris
----- Original Message -----
From: "Alan Seigrist Blue 100" <healey.nut@gmail.com>
To: "Ph.J.Aeckerlin" <j.aeckerlin@tiscali.nl>
Cc: "Healey forum" <healeys@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 11:46 AM
Subject: Re: Lucas 25D6 distributor
> Jack -
>
> As a word of advice, I would keep that distributor in your boot as a
> spare,
> just in case the 123 fails. I am very supportive of E.I. in general, and
> the 123 system, but at the end of the day they are black boxes and if they
> do fail for some reason, it is very helpful to keep a workable spare in
> the
> boot at all times.
>
> The old distributors are not as accurate at firing than an E.I. system,
> they
> are a pain in the ass to adjust every 500 to 1000 miles, their timing
> changes all over the place as the points wear, and they need to be oiled
> and
> inspected with regularity. The condensors fail fairly regularly. In
> addition they are suceptable to bush wear and wobbly shafts. Despite all
> of
> these annoyances and reasons why you would never want to have an old
> contact
> distributor... the one thing they do have going for them is they tend to
> fire under most circumstances ... so keeping it as a spare to fix on the
> side of the road (when you need it the most) ... is HIGHLY recommended by
> me.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Alan
>
> '52 A90
> '53 BN1
> '64 BJ8
>
>
>
> On 10/23/06, Ph.J.Aeckerlin <j.aeckerlin@tiscali.nl> wrote:
>>
>> Hi all,
>> I just had my Lucas 25D6 (serial # 40966 B) distributor of my BJ8
>> completely overhauled by Jeff Schlemmer of Advanced Distributors. Clamp
>> ring is now in STEEL, new shaft, new points, new condenser.
>> The ignition curve is a bit faster than the original which will give
>> more spirited performance with no ill effects, as Jeff stated. Looks
>> like new.
>> But: all that was a bit too early as I've just decided to go for a 123
>> electronic ignition in my car (developed by Dutch guys, so I couldn't
>> resist <grin>).
>> Consequently I'm intending to sell the overhauled, never used
>> distributor, complete with an extra rotor, on e-bay but before doing so
>> I'm offering it to the members of this list.
>> In case you are seriously interested please contact me off list - I then
>> can send you pictures to show the unit is looking better than new and we
>> can discuss a price.
>> Jack Aeckerlin, The Netherlands
>> 1964 BJ8 29432
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