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Triumph TR6 - Distributor Choices

Is anyone running a mechanical only advance distributor? I have my eye on a Flamethrower 45D6 with ignitor 2 init that BPNW carries. I realize I will need to convert the tach to electric and am more interested in the manner in which the car will run. I have a fast road engine but want it to run well through the entire RPM range.
DWS Smith

You can buy my Mallory unit. Already has the dizzy gear on the bottom (pain to do and they don't come that way).

DON KELLY

Having troubles with the original unit? Those can be rebuilt & recurved, and even converted to vacuum advance with no "flat" spots.
Brent B



Don - Is this the one you have? Moss part #543-045

The picture depicts the 4 cylinder version but you get the idea...







DWS Smith


Brent - Yes, I have the vacume retard style currently and have had it plugged for about five years and running on the mechanical alone. I have heard good things about a company called Advanced Distributor. Pertronics on the other hand has the mechanical and vacume style units brand new for a $210.00.
What does a good rebuild and conversion go for? I would also want to eliminate the points and condenser. I want to retire my tach and dwell tool once and for all....
Honestly - I don't understand the concept of vacume retard. Unless it was to lower emissions? My car ran better with it plugged...
DWS Smith

I paid about $100 about 1-1/2 years ago for a rebuild by Advanced. You need to contact Jeff for current pricing.

Yeah - the vac retard is an emissions thing. Richard Good (Goodparts) did my conversion to vac advance a long time ago - not sure if he still does that or if Jeff can. The vacuum advance works best with a "ported" vacuum, which almost none of the TR6 carbs have. It works ok with the normal manifold vacuum, but it may be harder to get the idle down.

I don't recall hearing any feedback about the Pertronix dizzys.
Brent B

That be the one
DON KELLY

DW:
Received my rebuilt distributor back from Jeff at Advanced Distributor last week. Total cost from his invoice as follows:
Rebuild TR6 Distributor - $89
Repair broken vacuum advance & add timing adjuster - $75
Freight - $21
Total - $185
The dizzy was not micropolished but was obviously cleaned and semi-polished, a new red (Jeff's) rotor was added and the dizzy looks as new. Note that the old vacuum advance was cracked off when a buddy helping to lift the engine, grabbed the dizzy as a handhold so I sent it to Jeff in two pieces. I am very pleased with the work and Jeff built it to spec as per my engine modifications. Won't know how well it works til the car comes off jack stands but all previous references to Jeff's work are very positive. But... ya could still buy Don's Mallory :0)
Bob
Bob Evans

Bob- How long?
DON KELLY

Bob - Was your unit a vacum advance to begin with or was it a vacum retard that Jeff converted to advance? I have had my retard unit plugged as it in my opinion is counter productive. So I have essentially been running a mechanical dizzy. The addition of a vacum advance has a couple of good benefits (better fuel economy/smoother advance) that I wouldn't mind having if it's possible. The issue is getting the correct vacum source. My carbs don't have a port so my only option would be the intake or drill the carbs which I would't do. I think I will ask for some advice from Jeff to start. Don has a sweet Mallory indeed. The problem at this point is that I'm over budget on this resto (I was warned :)). If I can dodge converting to an electrical tach that would be great...
DWS Smith

Don & DW:
Shipped my dizzy to Jeff on Apr 12th and he shipped it back May 24th but I did not receive it until about June 10th or 11th but we have a rotating postal strike going on here which may account for some of the delay.
My '76 has a vacuum retard unit only and what Jeff has done is add a timing wheel to the unit to provide adjustment capability. What you need to do is go to Jeff's site and review his product and services, which should answer all your questions. Here is a quote from his site: www.advanceddistributors.com

"This is a "plug" designed to replace the vacuum advance in any 22D or 25D distributor, as used in many British cars from 1962-1974. Since the vacuum advance actually holds the breaker plate in place, this unit fills the void of removing the vacuum advance and continues to hold the breaker plate steady. It also comes with a complete hardware kit including a ratchet spring, coil spring, knurled thumb wheel (used ot adjust the engine timing), and a small metal clip to prevent you from unscrewing the thumb wheel too far. All parts are newly manufactured to exacting tolerances".
Cheers,
Bob


Bob Evans

And the other side.
Bob

Bob Evans

And the first one - in focus this time.
Bob

Bob Evans

Bob - Jeff sure did a nice job with it. He has a curve form that gets filled out with specific data about your car so he can set things up accordingly with the correct weights and springs... I really like the fine timing knob so the timing can be tweeked without tools... It looks like you are still running points and a condenser?
DWS Smith

Jeff did mine 2 yrs ago. Best $100 and some odd dollars you can spend to get your car in a good state of tune and totally eliminate a lot of "maybe's" in the event there is an issue.

Rob
rw loftus

DW:
Yes, I filled out he work sheet with specifics for my new engine and cam setup but not running anything at the moment with the TR6 on jack stands but it is currently equipped with a Pertronix Electronic ignition and HO coil so no points or condenser. That system will be transferred to the new dizzy upon installation.

Bob
Bob Evans

This thread was discussed between 18/06/2011 and 22/06/2011

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