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MG TD TF 1500 - Lucas magneto

I have seen a number of T-series car with Lucas magnetos (a TC I bought a few years ago, with racing history, had one installed). Surely there must have been a factory instruction sheet or guide for installation into an XPAG.

Does anhyone have such a thing?

Many thanks. Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

I don't have one but I am trying to figure out why you would get a new fan belt and a longer generator stand off with the magneto. And I also cannot tell what some of the smaller parts are. The new Arnolt? side plate is needed perhaps because of clearance?



Christopher Couper

Chris. The need for the longer belt and arm is so the Tach drive clears the mag coil. The side chest cover is to clear the mag body. Small parts may have been a a grounding wire kit and mag switch.

Bill Chasser
W A Chasser

I know Rols Royce back-up ignition magnetos for the "20's cars had the magneto coupled to the back of the Delco Generators. Could this be the way the Lucas Mag is installed, and if it is bigger around it would need the clearance by extending the generator adjustment.

Just blowing smoke here.
CR Tyrell

As Chris mentioned, the tappet cover replacement is for clearance. Attached is an abstract from the XPAG tuning manual, suggesting another method to obtain clearance.

CR

The magneto cannot be fitted on the end of generator for 2 reasons:

1/ The generator is driven by a belt, in that case there is no way to "time" the unit to the engine.

2/ The The model ID of the mag. is 4VRA, The "V" means "Vertical" It has to be installed vertically. I assume that this is because the advance mechanism, at the base of the unit, is running in oil.

John






J Scragg

What is the function of the magneto? Does it replace the coil and distributor? Inquiring minds want to know. Thanks. Jud
J K Chapin

JK,

Historically the coil/distributor, also called Kettring ignition, (After its inventor) replaced magneto ignition on automobile engines. Here is a link which will give you all the information you need.

https://mechanicaljungle.com/magneto-ignition/#1_Magneto

John
J Scragg

Please excuse my typo, Kettring should be "Kettering."

John
J Scragg

Thanks John. Jud
J K Chapin

Hi Tom,
I have attached a scan of the last entry on the last page of a Tuning Manual which John mentioned. Being a part which was "available through the service department" (as printed on the previous page) I would agree that there should have been instruction details available at the time. Maybe that is just another thing which has been lost in time?
Out of curiosity, can I ask if many those Special Tuning Manuals are still about? There was an "As fitted to TB and TC cars" version, an "As fitted to Series TD cars" version and an "As fitted to Series TF and TF 1500 cars" version. All three of these list the 4 VRA, although the TF version also includes a special Lucas Distributor 40441A (suiting camshaft AEG122) as the last entry. Being an "option" through TC, TD, TF and TF 1500 strengthens the point that fitting details should have been available?
Cheers,
Bob


Bob Schapel

I have a magneto on my 1930 MG M-Type.

Magneto's were an advantage with 6V systems, where you wanted a powerful spark at low revs and the 6V generators and batteries were operating at their limits.

I struggled to find a quality 6V coil and battery to last, so installing the magneto gave me a significant improvement in performance AND an automatic advance (originally a hand control advance).

Safety Fast

Tony
The Classic Workshop
Black Mountain
Australia

A L SLATTERY

Interesting Tony. As an alternative, on my 6V Porsche 356, spark quality at start up is always an issue. The system is always subject to the threat of voltage loss at the points as well. It was solved for me by a Canadian called Fred Winterburn, who developed a small 6V CDI unit that was amazing. It preserved voltage at the points and plugs and proved a stronger spark up to around 3000rpm. The points were retained, but only as a switching mechanism not with any major voltage going through them. No more changes of points. The CDI even has a switch to go back to the Kettering system if you want to.

http://www.capacitordischargeignition.com
M Hyde

This thread was discussed between 08/08/2022 and 15/08/2022

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