1986 Ser III Lucas constant energy ignition system:I have finally tracked down an issue that I believe is causing some running issues with my car. The advance is sticky inside the distributor, and the rotor does not “snap back.” What is the best way to handle this issue? Can the rotor shaft be oiled to allow it to move more freely? Do I need to replace the entire distributor? What options exist for a distributor? I have heard the Pertonix D171618 is a good replacement; however, it doesn’t seem like that is compatible with EFI cars. I am also in California, and emissions are of concern as the car needs to pass smog. I wouldn’t mind getting a new or rebuilt Lucas unit, but it doesn’t seem like they are easy to find. If I can possibly correct this sticky issue without replacing the entire distributor, I would greatly prefer that. Advice on this would be great. Thanks!

 

Generally a sticky mechanical advance can simply be cleaned and lubricated to restore normal operation.

Ideally you'd remove the distributor (not hard) for a partial strip-down and make a thorough job of it. Alternatively, you might be able to squirt enough mild aerosol solvent into the innards, followed by a similar dousing of light lubricant, to do the job with the distributor in place.

Check the vacuum advance while you're at it

Cheers
DD

 

thanks! I’ll pull it and see if I can make any progress with it otherwise I might try to have it rebuilt does anyone have any thoughts on pertronix for these cars?

 

I had a pertronix fail after 1000 kilometers. Other folks have them for years. Shrug.
Rob

 

The Pertronix in my Mk 2 has worked problem-free for 20 years and 11,000 miles!

 

See if 123 makes a distributor for your car. I put one in my 1967 420 and it really woke up the car! It comes with 16 selectable advance curves.

 

https://www.sngbarratt.com/English/#...EQUIPMENT(3148)

This new pickup includes an all new advance base for mechanical and vacuum advance

or, you could do the Pertonix D171618 with matching coil. The pre-curved 123 unit is not optimum for your EFI engine. curves are too retarded in the beginning and too advance at higher RPMs (there is a fully programmable 123 distributor, but you will have to manually enter the vacuum advance and mechanical advance curves.)
Pertonix is a California company and only has Direct Replacement approval for carburated engines. However, many forum members report good result with the D171618 and have not had issues with triggering the fuel injection system or the tachometer.
I used the early Pertonix distributor on my XKE and use the Pertonix "ignition module D72000" (California approved) inside the Ignition Amplifier on my XJ6 S3, happy with both.
Rgds
David

 

Hi, I was contemplating replacing my pickup with one of those from SNGA I’m a bit confused. Will the issue with my sticky advance be solved by replacing the pickup? or are those two separate items? I assume that’s what you’re saying since you included it in this post. If replacing the pickup would solve the sticky advance issue, I definitely would do it though, I know there are springs in the mechanical advance system. Are those springs part of the pickup, or is that a separate replacement? I would assume if the springs are weak those will also need to be replaced unrelated to the pickup.

 

The SNG pickup assembly will cure most problems. **

To install you must remove the star rotor from the shaft. There is a cir-clip holding it on, but mostly it will be stuck from age. You must remove it very carefully or you will stretch the two mechanical advance springs; they are not available anywhere and I could not find any specification for them. One is slightly longer that the other.
you must pull the star wheel rotor up, while holding the center of the shaft from moving up from above the star rotor. Over-night liquid wrench may help before you begin. I am sure the distributor shops have a small puller for the job.

** Once the star rotor is removed you can remove the complete advance mechanism including the pickup. Then liquid wrench all around the mechanical advance sleeve and center shaft shaft. Once clean, you can lube everything with synthetic motor oil and put it back together. The few drops oil you put into the center of the shaft is for upper bearing, that rarely gets serviced.
Rgds
David

 

AEU1500 from SNG has advance mechanism attached.
Rotor comes off advance mechanism sleeve, not the center shaft
Rgds
David

 

I pulled the entire distributor today and shipped it out to a rebuild shop I will let you guys know how it turns out

 

Had the entire unit rebuilt by Jeff over at Advanced Distributors. He works so quickly, can’t wait for it to come back to install it. He said it was in pretty bad shape so it should make a world of difference. I will let you know how it goes.

 

Did the Distributor require a new upper bearing in the casting???
The good thing with Jeff, is you now it was tested on a distributor test bench, if you do the work yourself, the car is the test bed.
Rgds
David