Demystifying the Distributor - Triumph, MG, Austin Healey, and More!

In this video we'll be checking advance weights for free movement, installing and adjusting points ignition, verifying vacuum from the capsule, and correctly installing the distributor (including static timing).

Do this BEFORE messing with the carburetors, since many adjustments in your ignition system will affect the mixture. This video is done on a Triumph TR6, but the 22D Lucas distributor is largely the same as any other you'll find in most Triumph, MG, Austin Healey, and even Jaguar sports cars. If your car uses a Lucas or a Delco-Remy distributor, it's likely this tutorial will help you.

The distributor's job is not only to direct a current to a given spark plug, but also to time exactly when that happens, AND to determine how long the coil has to charge, AND to do all this under varying engine loads and speeds. This video is intended to give an overview of your distributor and help you to fix the more common issues. If the shaft in your distributor is worn (you'll know because the timing mark will skip around while everything else is functioning properly), you can probably fix that too with an electronic ignition... or by sending your distributor to be re-bushed, which is also an option. Please click to subscribe to the channel so you can see more videos as we post them, and don't hesitate to comment with any questions you have!