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 Posted: Mar 30, 2020 05:34PM
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Have you tried it yet with the vacuum advance disconnected and the vacuum line plugged?

 Posted: Mar 30, 2020 02:47PM
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US
I would not necessarily order all the parts at once unless you want to keep spares around.  Start cheap and work your way up to the more expensive items.  I don't think the (early) Mini ever came from the factory with a fuel filter but they are frequently added.  Search for them from the back of the car to the front following the fuel pipe.  

Let us know how you are progressing.

Doug L.
 Posted: Mar 30, 2020 01:53PM
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Doug thanks for the reply will order points, caps, rotor and plug wire, good fuel and air flow

 Posted: Mar 30, 2020 01:24PM
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US
It took forever for those picture links to load on my laptop but I eventually was able to see them.

Yes, that looks like a 45D4 distributor. 

Consider making the following test.  Install a modern voltage sensing tachometer in the car and go for a test drive with a passenger.  Have the passenger watch the tach.  When you experience the loss of power, tell them to pay even closer attention to the tach.  If they observe changes and/or strange tach behavior during the loss of power incidents, start replacing ignition parts ONE at a time (points, condenser, plugs, plug wires, cap, rotor, ...save the coil for last).

Other items to check are filters.  The loss of power could easily be from restricted fuel or air flow.  Look for any inline fuel filters a previous owner may have installed.  Replace them if they look dirty.  Likewise, replace the air filter if it appears dirty.  

As a test you can fit a modern voltage pulse sensing tachometer to the car.  While you drive have an assistant keep an eye on the tach.  Tell them when you start feeling the loss of power.  If they report any strange behavior in the tach when you experience loss of power, the problem may be in the coil or other ignition components.  However, as I said earlier, you s

Doug L.
 Posted: Mar 30, 2020 10:21AM
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pictures of my distributor added, the problem I am having is loss of power in 3 and 4th gear, falls on its self, plenty of power get up and go in 1-2 then fall on its face in 3&4, correct timing, carb adjusted to correct mixture was originally to rich making plugs black have leaned it out now plugs no longer black

 Posted: Mar 30, 2020 08:22AM
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US
Probably a 45D4.  Look for pictures of Lucas distributors online.  When you find one that looks like yours, copy the picture's address to the clipboard, then click the "picture" icon at the top of this editor and paste the address in the source location.  That should give us something to look at to identify which dizzy you have.

Vacuum advance is primarily there for part-throttle fuel economy.  You don't really have to have it.  If you suspect a vacuum leak from the actuator, disconnect the vacuum tubing at the carb and plug the opening on the carb (a small vinyl cap or a piece of tubing with a bolt or screw inserted will work as a plug).  If you want to retain the vacuum advance contact Jeff Schlemmer at Advanced Distributors.  He can rebuild your vacuum actuator.  He can also rebuild and recurve your distributor if you want.

Do not switch to an electronic ignition to "fix" a problem.  Get the engine running properly on points first.  Once it is running OK, then you can pursue the electronic ignition if you really want to.  If you switch to an electronic ignition, always carry a set of points, a condenser, and a 0.015" or 0.016" feeler gauge in the boot.  If the electronics ever fail while you are away from home you can fit the points again to get home.

Doug L.
 Posted: Mar 30, 2020 05:49AM
 Edited:  Mar 30, 2020 12:19PM
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https://s3.photobucket.com/user/yoursurfer/media/cars/untitled_zpsrnnzz0rf.png.html?sort=2&o=36
https://s3.photobucket.com/user/yoursurfer/media/cars/2_zpssf77xjuh.png.html?sort=2&o=35


I have a 1977 Mini, my distributor vacuum advance is not working, not sure what kind it is possibly, can someone help identify and should I upgrade to electronic pick up instead of points

Poss a 45 distributor