So, I sent back the Pertronix D171618 Dizzy to Summit and they sent me another. For those who followed this issue, the first one either had the wrong advance capsule (which I doubt as the Lucas capsule also was binding in the body) or the dizzy body was incorrectly machined. The rod from the capsule was binding where it enters the dizzy body casting slot.

This new one has ample clearance so there can be no binding. So, next week I'll pull the Lucas original and install this one, which means I get to use the high performance Flamethrower coil that is is designed to be paired with. I will advise on the outcome.

As this is my first experience with Summit, I can only say that they have an exceptional return/replacement/refund policy. They even paid the return shipping both ways. Five stars!

 

So, 6 months from my planned install date (Sep. 2020), I finally installed the replacement distributor and associated coil from Pertronix. Everything went in smoothly. Started her up and with the vac. advance connected, rotated the distributor to achieve 8 degrees BTDC. Reset idle to 750 RPM. Never had such a smooth idle before. Fully warmed up, took her for a spin. Very noticeable improvement in off the line acceleration. Vast improvement in acceleration from around 35 - 60 MPH (like getting on a highway). It feels like it wants to wind up much faster than before. It may be my imagination, but the engine note seems to sound more "aggressive" once you floor it - very "growly". I've convinced myself it's not my imagination!

Once I'd blasted all the gunk out, I had to reset the idle (had risen to 850) Still rock solid.

I would highly recommend the dizzy/coil combination. Many thanks for your advice everyone who offered guidance, especially David.

One word of caution - as I found out 6 months ago, the XJ-6 distributor is driven by a "key" on the end of the dist. shaft. Unless one looks very carefully, you will not notice the faintest trace of an offset of the key to the shaft. If it is out by 180 degrees and the dist. is installed the key will not engage and when the dist. locking clamp is tightened and an attempt is made to start the engine, the dist. shaft will be damaged (bent) and the resulting misalignment between the shaft upper and lower bearings will seize the shaft and ruin the distributor body. Ask me how I know of this possibility! Pay careful attention to the offset.

 

I buy LOTS of stuff from Summit. Exceptional service in all respects.

Their specialty is performance-related stuff but they are also distributors for many brands of regular auto parts.

Cheers
DD

 

I am currently researching for distributor upgrade.
It seems that Pertronix is the go to option.

The one Pertronix distributor distributor (I know) in Australia does not carry them and have quoted to put one on their next order from the US of A (4-5 weeks)

Does anyone know of any other parts suppliers in Australia that actually carry stock or will I have to bite the bullet and order from O/S?

Cheers.

 

No answer to that question.

I used S3 6cyl distributor and Black Box on all my 6cyl cars. Were about $150 back then, and plenty around, maybe not so today.

Maybe worth a look on the ?Bay, and JagDaim etc, never know.

 

I got my S3 distributor from Jagdaim after talking to Grant Francis about options.
They have used ones in stock, hasn’t missed a beat in 5 years. Nearly 60’000 km on my Peninsula Jag engine now and never touched the dizzy.

I did a thread on it at the time I think.

 

Found it. “Backfiring through carby’s” the thread is called.

Bloody technology, Can’t for the life of me add a link on the iPad thingy. I know how to do it on pc.

 

Feebay has only two listings for Pertronix D171618, both in The US of A.
I could bite the bullet and wait, hope and pray that it shows up in less than six months.

Jagdaim has 123, but they're north of $1000! That is not going to happen.

If push comes to shove, I will most likely just put kit into my dizzy.

I did so with a '67 Beetle, after a few non starts due to points. Ran great ever after.

All this is purely preemptive to points issues. Lady Mable is running fine atm with her sparks jumping.

 

Cheers. I will look it up.

 

OOPS.

Yours should be running GL19 points.

The GL568 is the heavy duty version, used on the Mini Cooper S back in the day.

Not sure if they are still available, just a blast from my memory from when I worked for Lucas.

 

Wow, glad I’m not in the market now. Just few years ago Jag stuff was cheap compared to Ford/Holden’s of the same era.
One of the reasons I bought the jag in the first place. I was looking for an early 70’s Holden/ Ford and saw that they were 15-20k for anything. XJ6 was 2-5k for same. And I was always partial to the look of the S1 XJ6.