I’ve upgraded my 4.2L engine from Stromburg carbs to triple SU’s,
ported the heads, and put in Isky cams. What is the optimal
distributor for my set up? I think the original may not be the
best… Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Dick Lutin
71’ OTS–
rlutin
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
In reply to a message from rlutin sent Thu 16 Jul 2009:
Dick.
I am very happy with my Mallory Unilite. I put SU’s on (stock
cams/no porting). I had the Lucas diz w/ no vacuum adv or retard,
straight mech adv. It was the missing piece to the puzzle in my
case. I was disappointed in performance until I put the Mallory in.
It literally ‘‘woke’’ the engine up. FWIW–
1969 BRG OTS
Skaneateles, NY, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
Dick,
I recently upgraded my series II to triple SUs and just put in a 123
distributor. It allows the selection of a number of different
advance curves by switch. I tried of couple of different settings
and am very happy with the performance.
John Palumbo
70 OTSOn Jul 17, 2009, at 6:24 AM, David Ahlers wrote:
In reply to a message from rlutin sent Thu 16 Jul 2009:
Dick.
I am very happy with my Mallory Unilite. I put SU’s on (stock
cams/no porting). I had the Lucas diz w/ no vacuum adv or retard,
straight mech adv. It was the missing piece to the puzzle in my
case. I was disappointed in performance until I put the Mallory in.
It literally ‘‘woke’’ the engine up. FWIW
1969 BRG OTS
Skaneateles, NY, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
In reply to a message from rlutin sent Thu 16 Jul 2009:
What is your complete engine build profile?–
The original message included these comments:
I’ve upgraded my 4.2L engine from Stromburg carbs to triple SU’s,
ported the heads, and put in Isky cams. What is the optimal
distributor for my set up? I think the original may not be the
best… Any advice would be appreciated.
–
Mr. Nice Spokes 1966 OTS 1E12387
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
David, Does your Unilite have vacuum advance? Did you use the “out of the box” advance curve?
Larry
Agoura Hills, Ca
61 OTS 64 FHC 3.8— On Fri, 7/17/09, David Ahlers david.ahlers@brp.com wrote:
From: David Ahlers david.ahlers@brp.com
Subject: Re: [E-Type] Distributor performance upgrade for 71’ 4.2?
To: e-type@jag-lovers.org
Date: Friday, July 17, 2009, 3:24 AM
In reply to a message from rlutin
sent Thu 16 Jul 2009:
Dick.
I am very happy with my Mallory Unilite. I put SU’s on
(stock
cams/no porting). I had the Lucas diz w/ no vacuum adv or
retard,
straight mech adv. It was the missing piece to the puzzle
in my
case. I was disappointed in performance until I put the
Mallory in.
It literally ‘‘woke’’ the engine up. FWIW
1969 BRG OTS
Skaneateles, NY, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM
[forums.jag-lovers.org]–
In reply to a message from rlutin sent Thu 16 Jul 2009:
The best thing I ever did to my 68 with the triple SU’s (aside
from replacing the engine with one from an S 3 XJ6 was to use
the dizzy from it as well. Has vacuum advance and electronic
ignition, and is hands down the cheapest and best upgrade I
have made to the car. People on the list have bought them
from the wreckers for $50, mine cost $400 but it came with a
car!
Cheers,
Lynn–
The original message included these comments:
Gentlemen,
I’ve upgraded my 4.2L engine from Stromburg carbs to triple SU’s,
ported the heads, and put in Isky cams. What is the optimal
distributor for my set up? I think the original may not be the
best… Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Dick Lutin
–
Lynn G.
68/85 ots, 73 2+2, Boise, Id., United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
In reply to a message from Larry Kohler sent Fri 17 Jul 2009:
Larry,
It was suggested to me by the seller (Century Perf) to go without
the vacuum advance. I set the initial advance at 11 deg btdc and
haven’t touched it for 3 years. Any time a sales person tell me to
take the less expensive item my ears perk up. Hmmm, maybe he knows
something?
However this very day, I have purchased a Mallory ‘‘advance tuning
kit’’. Enough diz spring choices to get me firmly into left field.
I bought it at the Syracuse (hot rod) Nationals. 7000 custom and
show cars. Hot rods, muscle cars, rat rods, et al. What a trip!
Having my feet firmly in both camps (sports cars & rods
/muscle cars) I’m enjoying the art form…
Dave–
1969 BRG OTS
Skaneateles, NY, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
Dave, Thanks for the reply. Did the seller state any reason(s) for not having the vacuum advance? I am asking as I recently purchased a Mallory Unalite without vacuum advance and am considering adding it. Should I infer from your spring search that you are not completely satisfied (are we ever?) with the status quo?
Larry
Agoura Hills, Ca
61 OTS 64 FHC 3.8— On Fri, 7/17/09, David Ahlers david.ahlers@brp.com wrote:
From: David Ahlers david.ahlers@brp.com
Subject: Re: [E-Type] Distributor performance upgrade for 71’ 4.2?
To: e-type@jag-lovers.org
Date: Friday, July 17, 2009, 4:12 PM
In reply to a message from Larry
Kohler sent Fri 17 Jul 2009:
Larry,
It was suggested to me by the seller (Century Perf) to go
without
the vacuum advance. I set the initial advance at 11 deg
btdc and
haven’t touched it for 3 years. Any time a sales person
tell me to
take the less expensive item my ears perk up. Hmmm, maybe
he knows
something?
However this very day, I have purchased a Mallory ‘‘advance
tuning
kit’’. Enough diz spring choices to get me firmly into left
field.
I bought it at the Syracuse (hot rod) Nationals. 7000
custom and
show cars. Hot rods, muscle cars, rat rods, et al. What a
trip!
Having my feet firmly in both camps (sports cars & rods
/muscle cars) I’m enjoying the art form…
Dave
–
1969 BRG OTS
Skaneateles, NY, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM
[forums.jag-lovers.org]–
In reply to a message from Nice Spokes sent Fri 17 Jul 2009:
We ported the head (used a series 3 head with larger intake
valves), triple SU carbs, .020 over pistons, balanced everything,
Isky XM2 grind on the cams, ceramic coated headers, and put in an
aluminum flywheel.
I think that the original diz has no advance or retard in an
attempt to satisfy emmsions. Should I get a Mallory?
Thanks!–
rlutin
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
They’re made in Europe somewhere, it may be Denmark. Here’s a web
site to check out: http://www.123ignition.nl/index.php The big
advantage to me, besides the reliability of an electronic ignition,
was the ability to select from a number of advance curves easily.
JohnOn Jul 18, 2009, at 12:04 AM, rlutin wrote:
In reply to a message from John Palumbo sent Fri 17 Jul 2009:
John,
I’m not familiar with the 123 distributor. Who makes it?
Thanks!
rlutin
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
In reply to a message from rlutin sent Fri 17 Jul 2009:
That is simply not true! With no advance, you wouldn’t be able to
rev the engine over about 2000 RPM. Later cars had slightly less
aggressive advance curves, but any of them should work just fine,
and there will be little or no benefit to a Mallory, IF the stock
dizzy is working correctly.–
The original message included these comments:
I think that the original diz has no advance or retard in an
attempt to satisfy emmsions. Should I get a Mallory?
Thanks!
rlutin
–
Ray Livingston - '64 OTS Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
In reply to a message from Larry Kohler sent Fri 17 Jul 2009:
Larry - RE: the Mallory. It was the contention of Sam at Century
that there wasn’t much to gain with the vacuum advance. Today’s new
gas burns faster than the old leaded formulas. Additionally,
running high vacuum - light throttle with total advance into the 40
deg+ range is problematic with the new fuels. For all I know, he
may have had some bad experiences with owners of SBC’s or Mopars
and is painting with a broad brush.
I can tell you my car runs good, and the plugs come out so white it
scares the hell out of me. I mean: ‘‘if it was a 2 stroke race bike
it’d be siezed up tighter than a drum’’ white.
Now as to why did I buy the advance springs? I can make it even
better, right? (Hole a piston and back off a notch) It’s more of a
personal problem - I’m stll a racer trapped in some short, old fat
guy’s body. I was reading CJ’s blog where he was touting his
Mallory’s with his ‘‘CJ special Jag optimized’’ advance curve. I had
$28, and will probably never open the package. Retirement project!
I’d get the vacuum advance and try it. Everyone with stock Lucas
S-1’s is running big vacuum advance.
Dave–
1969 BRG OTS
Skaneateles, NY, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
In reply to a message from David Ahlers sent Sat 18 Jul 2009:
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe that the only
advantage touted for vacuum advance is improved mileage
while cruising–not performance. It’s not used on most race
cars, for example. It was deleted from Jaguars and other
cars at the time of the S2 E-type (and S1 XJ6) because the
cannister took on the vacuum retard function associated with
pollution control. A few cars retained vacuum advance by
using dual-purpose advance-retard canisters. With FI and
it’s pollution advantages, retard was unnecessary and vacuum
advance was reinstated in the later XJ6 and XJ-S cars.
I’m running triple SUs with the S3 XJ6 ignition and while
it’s OK, I’ve been told that the distributor originally used
on the S1 E-type/Mark X is substantially better. I have one
but haven’t fitted it yet.
Has anyone directly compared the original dizzy versus the
S3 dizzy in a triple carb engine?–
The original message included these comments:
Larry - RE: the Mallory. It was the contention of Sam at Century
that there wasn’t much to gain with the vacuum advance. Today’s new
I’d get the vacuum advance and try it. Everyone with stock Lucas
S-1’s is running big vacuum advance.
–
Bob Wilkinson, 72 XJ6
Saint Louis, MO, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
David, Thanks for the detailed response, it was appreciated. I am alarmed though to hear that you are apparently inhabiting my body! :_))
Larry
Agoura Hills, Ca
61 OTS 64 FHC 3.8— On Sat, 7/18/09, David Ahlers david.ahlers@brp.com wrote:
From: David Ahlers david.ahlers@brp.com
Subject: Re: [E-Type] Distributor performance upgrade for 71’ 4.2?
To: e-type@jag-lovers.org
Date: Saturday, July 18, 2009, 4:59 PM
In reply to a message from Larry
Kohler sent Fri 17 Jul 2009:
Larry - RE: the Mallory. It was the contention of Sam at
Century
that there wasn’t much to gain with the vacuum advance.
Today’s new
gas burns faster than the old leaded formulas.
Additionally,
running high vacuum - light throttle with total advance
into the 40
deg+ range is problematic with the new fuels. For all I
know, he
may have had some bad experiences with owners of SBC’s or
Mopars
and is painting with a broad brush.
I can tell you my car runs good, and the plugs come out so
white it
scares the hell out of me. I mean: ‘‘if it was a 2 stroke
race bike
it’d be siezed up tighter than a drum’’ white.
Now as to why did I buy the advance springs? I can make it
even
better, right? (Hole a piston and back off a notch) It’s
more of a
personal problem - I’m stll a racer trapped in some short,
old fat
guy’s body. I was reading CJ’s blog where he was touting
his
Mallory’s with his ‘‘CJ special Jag optimized’’ advance
curve. I had
$28, and will probably never open the package. Retirement
project!
I’d get the vacuum advance and try it. Everyone with stock
Lucas
S-1’s is running big vacuum advance.
Dave
–
1969 BRG OTS
Skaneateles, NY, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM
[forums.jag-lovers.org]–
In reply to a message from rlutin sent Fri 17 Jul 2009:
OK. With that cam you can go 9:1 CR. Did you compute your CR
and ‘squish area’ height before putting the head back on?
This can influence what advance you use. All things being
nominal, you don’t really need a Mallory even though they
are excellent. Pertronix has an economical distributor with
a curve and 12 crank degree advance that works well in your
application. It has a built in elecronic module with or
without vacuum advance. The 123 dizzy has curve settings to
fit many cars needs and is more expensive.–
The original message included these comments:
In reply to a message from Nice Spokes sent Fri 17 Jul 2009:
We ported the head (used a series 3 head with larger intake
valves), triple SU carbs, .020 over pistons, balanced everything,
Isky XM2 grind on the cams, ceramic coated headers, and put in an
aluminum flywheel.
I think that the original diz has no advance or retard in an
attempt to satisfy emmsions. Should I get a Mallory?
–
Mr. Nice Spokes 1966 OTS 1E12387
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–