Dizzy cap direction

[Limey]

Hi all,

Though I have the Lucas parts manuals, I cant tell if the dist cap should point at 12 o'clock or 3 o'clock. See pics. All advice and a part number would be very helpfull.

View attachment 3223

View attachment 3224

Many thanks in advance for your helping

Oliver

 

[moonstone SIV]

Hey Oliver,

Every Lucas cap I've seen on a Rootesmobile has the lead outlets facing the head so I'd vote for pic #1.

By the way, I don't think any of the bolts used under the bonnet or on the engine were zinc plated, they appear to have been originally finished in a black oxide style coating. In fact, from what I've observed when dismantling virgin engines, I reckon the side plate, sump and timing covers were painted after they were assembled and the bolts were coated at the same time.

That is a very sexy Tecalemit decal however. You must explain to me the correct way to apply them one day.........

Cheers, Lance.

 

[Limey]

Thanks Lance, I'll go 12 o'clock

The engineers who rebuilt the engine fitted those bolts. Not guilty. I have a black Oxide kit to change them. Can't find UNF bolts in brit that are black. Maybe I should look harder.

Did I send you some decals? HAve you tried and failed. Send me your cover and I'll apply and return no problem.

All the best mate.

Oliver

 

[agmason54]

Distributor cap direction

Olly,
I vote for number 2 picture.I have never seen any cap point the wires right at the engine like that.Also I think your distributor needs to be turned counterclockwise so that the vacum advance interferes with the dipstick like they do.
"Ohio"

 

[65beam]

cap

al,
it looks like he lost part of his plug wires! those are not factory plug boots either.

 

[moonstone SIV]

Olly,

All the early side entry distributor caps I have here on cars have the leads facing the cylinder head although I can't fine a clear period photo to confirm same. Can't comment on the Champion plug caps, but I do know that a Hillman lead of the same vintage used a bare metal tube at the plug end.

You have the bolt colour covered then. The only place you see a zinc plated bolt under the bonnet is to retain the bonnet catch to the bulkhead.

Thanks for the offer to stick my stickers, but you may recall that last time my canister travelled to and from the home land it went via Mongolia and took forever to return! Many of the decals on the roll have had some "separation" issues and come off the backing sheet and now resemble alphabet soup. I think there may be one or two that can be salvaged.

How are your other sub assemblies coming along? Do you have any pics to share? One could describe such items as "Sunbeam porn", but that may be regarded as vulgar..........

Lance.

 

[alpine_64]

Lance,

I hit the books, in the gold portfolio i couldnt see any pics that were conclusive... however in the normal (blue covered) brooklands book there are a couple of pics of SI/SII and an illustration that show the leads exiting the cap facing the motor.

Cutaway illustration od the SI on page 6-7

In the SII road test the pic on P37 is reasonabley clear showing the leads exiting the cap towards the motor.

 

[moonstone SIV]

Michael,

Fine work old chap, I missed that shot on page 37. I also see that the steel bonnet is described as "immensely heavy". So girly men road testing cars is not just a modern phenomenon then..........?

 

[agmason54]

Distributor cap direction

Beamers!
The only time I use the word 'Dizzy' is to describe old girl friends. This is the distributor cap direction of....

Albert Gears Mason


SI
SI racer
SII
SII
SII
SII WARPONY
SIIIGT
SIIIGT
SIV
SV
SV
SV
ta ta for now all you happy boys.See ya at the 'invasion'!!!

 

[alpine_64]

Al,

You need a S3, SIVGT and a SVGT and you have BINGO!.. almost got the whole set in there!

As for the topic though, think the question Oliver was trying to clarify is an as it left the factory direction. It's one of those concourse questions.. not practicality or functionality ones.

Who knows.. maybe they went on in a a variety of directions depending on who was on the line that morning or which side of the bed they got up on?

 

[moonstone SIV]

Hey Albert,

Great to hear you're "happy" too, just goes to show you never can tell huh? Look forward to catching up on my next trip to the US.

Since this is the factory original section of the forum I believe Oliver was asking what cap was fitted as OE to his series 2, not what could have been purchased later and made to fit by swapping the leads around.

 

[agmason54]

Distributor cap direction...

Lance,
All I know is what I see. This is the only cap like this I have.All others I have seen are the same way.Mine says LUCAS right on it....
I guess they point any which way ....?
Agm

 

[moonstone SIV]

The pic below is from the series 1-1V factory parts list.

It shows the orientation of the distributor cap as fitted to the distributor which, if the distributor is correctly fitted to the engine, has the leads exiting the cap towards the cylinder head.

The cap with the leads exiting towards the vac unit appears to be the same as that used on the Hillman Imp. Hope that clears up any confusion.

Cheers, Lance.

 

[Limey]

Lance,

I have more decals for you, just ask, my old mucker.

You have proved the point to my satisfaction re dizzy orientation. I missed that illustration in the parts book.

The Champion spark tops are just candy I had lying around. I have a very old original spark lead set that I plan to clean up and fit. (hope they work OK)

As for sub assemblies, all done except for front sub (rebuilding this week) and completing the engine detailing

Biody should be completed by Xmas so it will be a quick re-assmbly.

Just the interior and loom to do

I'll post some pics and I seriously welcome all corrections

Yours as ever

Oliver

 

[moonstone SIV]

Oliver,

Well that is good news, thanks for the update.

The best part is putting the bits back on that you removed months or in some cases, years ago. Can't wait for some re assembly photos, roll on 2012

Lance.

 

[Limey]

must get out more

Lancey!

Thanks for all that. Engine bolts and nuts no longer a vulger silver, They are all now 'British understatement' oxide black.

Just got my chrome back (£3800 ) yes, I know, I could get a good road legal Alpine for that..

All other galvanized parts such as seat runners, door straps, bonnet plate and catch etc etc done also.

No photos yet but give me a few more months and the whole of the running gear, front to back will be done down to the last little black nut and bolt and Thackery washer.

I want to see your photos. Got some?

Oliver

PS I got an unobtainium (almost) Lucas mercury switched trunk lamp last week off ebay. I opened it at work and did a wee victory jig before realizing that my underlings were watching x10 They are used to boxes of old crap sitting on my desk but this phased them

 

[moonstone SIV]

OLIVERRRRRRRRRRRR..........(as Eva Gabor would call on Green Acres),

Good show old chap!

If black oxide was good enough 50 years ago then so it shall be in 2011. But 3800 GBP on chroming....??!! Oh...My...Goodnessgraciousme Warn me to have my sunglasses at the ready when we finally get to see some pics of your handywork!

Couldn't find a listing on thackery washers in the parts book, just remind me where they were fitted again?

Mmmmm, dancing in front of staff can sometimes be mis interpreted, even when it comes as a result of the receipt of some long awaited, NOS boxed Rootes treasure. Fiddlesticks to them we say, they are but normal folk, unlike ourselves.....the true MEN OF THE GARAGE....!

Below a couple of snaps of the old slag as requested. I limited myself to just "tidying" under the bonnet knowing if I removed anything else it'd still be in pieces years from now. Check out the Rootes/Ferodo fan belt...ha. Looks about the same since the pics were taken. Since Hansel and Gretel arrived from the US I've been a bit preoccupied. Ahhh, so many cars.....so little time.....

Cheers, Lance.

 

[Limey]

No pics on your message mate!

Thackary washers? They are flat spring washers (they look like a flat coil. Used to reduce rattle. Can be found as part of the hand brake mechanism that bolts to the back axle which acctuates the rods that go to the drums.

i am living the dream

 

[moonstone SIV]

Oh, THOSE thackery washers.....of course! Pictures now available for your perusal. Bananas ahoy.

Lance. Also living the dream, in the moment and now on the same page.....

 

[Limey]

I see you are keeping it real detail wise. Niiice.