What are the pros and cons of an electronic distributor and a mechanical one, is it worth finding a jag for breaking or just concede and buy a modern kit? thanks in advance

 

Also without being stupid, would it effect the value of the car?

 

Electronoic distributor - generally a better spark can be produced, more accurately and does not go out of adjustment easily.
Needs a strobe to time correctly.
Mechanical - easier repair if it fails. I have an electronic on my very original series 1. I used to carry the mechanical distributor in the boot, but not any more.
It has no effect on the value of the car. If you cannot pick up a good used Lucas distributor for your Jag for less than $20 (or 20 euros), you are not looking hard enough.

 

thank you , i guess i am not looking hard enough, ill keep looking

 

I installed the Fireball XR700 in my Lucas distributor two decades ago and haven't touched it since. Super reliable.

Bill

 

Jamie
Here is long thread on subject.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...epairs-210475/

A new after market distributor with electronics will serve you better that an old OEM distributor updated to electronics by kit. The new distributor will have new bearings and new advance mechanisms; also will have better advance curves, suited to todays gasoline octane numbers. A high performance aftermarket distributor allow you to change from a 3 ohm ignition coil to one close to 1 ohm or less, which is the only way to get hotter spark, for better performance.
Rgds
David

 

I am assuming that you have an early Series 2 XJ6, as the later cars (at least here in Australian Specification) had the same eletronic distributor as the Series 3 cars. From my own and the general consensus of my customers (whom I always encourage to replace their manual distributor with the electronic one from a Series 3 as these have been readily available) it was the simplest and best "upgrade" done to the cars - with the added benefit of remaining "original" (almost). No more rough idle from worn points, no more "no start" if the points get too pitted and won't break - just is no down side to doing the swap IMHO. The Series 3 amplifier unit even contains a standard GM module (if you evver need to change it). I would, however, also support what David84XJ just wrote; adding a Hall effect aftermarket kit to the mechanical distributor rarely produces the reliability of the original Jaguar electronic distributor and if you go the full replacement with using a modern aftermarket alternative, you do get improved spark performance; as described.

 

As an added point, it took less than 10 minites to fit one to my 3.8 Mark 2 (previously already converted to negative ground from posiitve) and the (blueprnted) engine has never been happier!

 

I sold off parts from my XJ engine after it failed. Distributor and coil to another jaguar owner. Swapped in his older car. perfect use..

My son converted the ignition in his ancient Case tractor. electronic for points and condensor. Much better...
Even the ancient Dodge in his fork lift uses one now..

Carl

 

I found my 3.8S jaguar ignition retrofit notes: see attached (As imperialmotorcars says, it is a very good upgrade to replace points distributor, if you want to stay Jaguar.)
You will need the distributor and Ignition amplifier from a XJ6 S3. You need to find cool location to mount amp so that wires reach coil and distributor with out splicing. The amp should have heat sink ( I used a 1" x 4" x 1/8" aluminum angle 5" long mounted to rear of R/H engine mount. You will need a good ground from amp mounting bolt to frame near battery ground. You will probably want to clean & lube the distributor advance mechanism, new cap and rotor, new ignition wires and new vacuum advance unit (as old one will have hardened diaphragm) AEU 1503 / AEU 1703 are the most common, others will work as well, as they are tweaked for emissions not performance.
Use manifold vacuum to the S3 distributor vacuum unit.
The key is to match the "full mechanical advance timing" of your original S2 distributor to the retrofitted S3 at 3000 RPM and let the static timing of the S3 fall where ever.
Rgds
David

 

David84XJ,
May I humbly suggest that little gem would be a valuable addition to the tech section... great spreadsheet / graph.