× 1-800-946-2642 Home My Account Social / Forum Articles Contact My Cart
Shop Now
Select Your Car Type Sale Items Clearance Items New Items
 

 Help identifying a distributor

 Created by: scottwkurth
Orig. Posting Date User Name Edit Date
Oct 29, 2018 05:01PM dklawson  
Oct 29, 2018 07:06AM scottwkurth  
Oct 24, 2018 03:04PM dklawson Edited: Oct 24, 2018 03:08PM 
Oct 24, 2018 12:24PM jedduh01 Edited: Oct 24, 2018 12:25PM 
Oct 24, 2018 10:28AM scottwkurth  
   Forum Width:     Forum Type: 

 Posted: Oct 29, 2018 05:01PM
Total posts: 9241
Last post: Aug 17, 2023
Member since:Jun 5, 2000
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
US
By all means try the dizzy you have and see if it "feels right".  Pay careful attention to any noises such as knocking or pinging that indicate either too much advance or fuel of too low an octane rating. 

If you really want to know what you have, you can do a semi-accurate measurement of the curve.  To do this you will need an advance type (dial back) timing light and a tachometer.  Warm the engine.  Disconnect and plug any vacuum advance tube that connects to the distributor.  Measure the advance at idle noting the degrees of crank advance and the engine RPM.  Use the idle speed screw to raise the engine speed in 200 RPM increments.  At each increment, measure the advance.  Do this from idle to about 3500 RPM.  Repeat the process about 4 times and average your results.  Then enter your data into a program like Excel to create a scatter chart with connected dots.  You'll end up with an advance curve map for your particular distributor.  You could then email that to SimonBBC and see if they can better identify what you have.

Doug L.
 Posted: Oct 29, 2018 07:06AM
Total posts: 62
Last post: May 21, 2019
Member since:Jul 28, 2016
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Quote:
Originally Posted by dklawson
I don't recognize the brand of module shown in your pictures.  All the Pertronix modules I have seen (original, II, and III) have the wires potted into the module... not terminated with spade lugs.  Therefore, not likely to be theirs.  

The dizzy casting appears to be a 45D, not 25D.  The 25D has a "rounded" bottom and LONG clips to hold the cap.  The 45D is squared off on the bottom (like yours) and has short clips for the cap.

EDIT:  To me it looks like a PowerMax module installed in a reproduction 45D.  See the first picture in the link below.
https://sites.google.com/site/electronicignitionreliant/-3-thingsD-to-check-do
Doug, thank you! You were correct—it is a Powerspark 45D. That helps narrow it down some. I called Simonbbc today and it looks as if that is as far as the trail is going to lead unfortunately. There are at least 4 different electronic ignition 45Ds that they make ("regular", high energy, 998 specific curve, 1275 specific curve), but they have no way to tell which one it is. They suggested that if the car starts up with it installed then it is the "right one for the car". They were very polite and friendly, but not terribly helpful. It will be good enough for now, but I will probably move this to the backup / spare parts bin and get a different dizzie for the rebuild.

Thanks again!

-------------------------------------------------------------
Scott | 1963 Austin Cooper | 2003 MINI Cooper S | 2018 MINI Cooper 4-door
 Posted: Oct 24, 2018 03:04PM
 Edited:  Oct 24, 2018 03:08PM
Total posts: 9241
Last post: Aug 17, 2023
Member since:Jun 5, 2000
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
US
I don't recognize the brand of module shown in your pictures.  All the Pertronix modules I have seen (original, II, and III) have the wires potted into the module... not terminated with spade lugs.  Therefore, not likely to be theirs.  

The dizzy casting appears to be a 45D, not 25D.  The 25D has a "rounded" bottom and LONG clips to hold the cap.  The 45D is squared off on the bottom (like yours) and has short clips for the cap.

EDIT:  To me it looks like a PowerMax module installed in a reproduction 45D.  See the first picture in the link below.
https://sites.google.com/site/electronicignitionreliant/-3-things-to-check-do

Doug L.
 Posted: Oct 24, 2018 12:24PM
 Edited:  Oct 24, 2018 12:25PM
Total posts: 1649
Last post: Jun 22, 2022
Member since:Apr 30, 2009
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
US
Looks like a Pertronix Distrubutor..

looks like a normal 25d Drive end (narrow fin) that goes into the distrubutor drive
and judging by the 'finish' of the outside alum casing  same' colored vac advance + clips.

as seen here. =

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pertronix-Distributor-Side-Exit-Austin-MG-Morris-4cyl-w-Lucas-23D-25D-45D-12V/170915969414?epid=214962226&hash=item27cb62b986:m:mfeWUHdmYclfbHPziyxhIzA:rk:4f:1&frcectupt=true&autorefresh=true

 Posted: Oct 24, 2018 10:28AM
Total posts: 62
Last post: May 21, 2019
Member since:Jul 28, 2016
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Image Gallery
The spare engine I recently bought came with an electronic dizzie that has no markings on it anywhere (that I can find). Can anyone help me identify what kind it is? 

Thanks!
Scott

-------------------------------------------------------------
Scott | 1963 Austin Cooper | 2003 MINI Cooper S | 2018 MINI Cooper 4-door