MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MG Y Type - Electronic Ignition

Has anyone experience of this on the XPAG, if so, what system and is it worthhile?
Michael Nicholson

Michael,

I don't have experience of this, but if you search for "electronic ignition" with the "this phrase"-option in the "TD-TF archive", you'll find lots of information.

Generally speaking, electronic ignition has the benefit of being more precise and staying that way without maintenance. On the downside there is the problem that if it fails you won't be able to repair it easily at the side of the road.

Please be careful in thinking that electronic ignition will cure all ignition problems (not saying that you do btw). I would only convert to electronic as a way of putting the crown on a good ignition circuit!
Willem van der Veer

I converted my YT to Petronics electronic ignition about 5 years ago. It is invisble and aside from getting the wheel rims trued is the best runninig repair I have made. The engine starts instantly and no more fussing over points or condenser or worn distributor cam. If your car is + ground make sure you get the right unit and check carefuly as to whether the distributor cam is symetric or assymetric, the Petronics sleeve is not interchangeable.Check(if you can) the MG- tabc list today; you may be better served ordering one from Joe Curto or Skip Kelsey . Others I know have had problems with other makes of electronic ignitions but Petronics is great, I ruined the sleeve trying to fit a sym.one on an asym. cam on my TC and they sent me a new sleeve with no hassle. Terry
Terry O'Brien

The cheapest way to fit electronic ignition to an XPAG is to use the later BMC 'B' series Lucas distributor, also fitted to the Mini and other 'A' series units. You need to remove the 'D' drive and fit the XPAG gear drive, ( easy as it is just a taper-pin.) Then buy an electronic ignition kit for a MGA from Moss for £60 and fit it. Use the weights for a 1275cc Mini to get the right ignition advance, and do not use the vacuum advance at all.

Neil.
Neil Cairns

The problem seems to be getting the old 1275cc mini weights. Also I get confused - wasn't the 1275cc the GT version of the old mini or is this different. Apologies Neil for being permanently confused over this and thanks for all your past help! Also why not just use the weights from your old XPAG distributor in the mini one?. Personally I would not convert to electronic distributor as its too difficult (well for me) to find any faults - at least it is easy to change points!
David Mullen

Can Neil clarify the question of which weights? My local scrappie isn't likely to have a mini-cooper 1275 is he? So is there another suitable mini?
Michael Nicholson

This thread was discussed between 10/02/2005 and 14/03/2005

MG MG Y Type index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MG Y Type BBS now