Triumph Repair: D204 distributor in a GT6, central shaft, vacuum unit

Question
Jim,
I have a 1973 GT6 drivetrain in a 1980 Spitfire body. The PO had a shop do the conversion and in the process, all the vacuum lines were removed, including (inexplicably), the vaccum cannister on the distributor.

I'd love to replace the vacuum advance, but aftermarket GT6 distributors don't exist and the only one I find (at this time) on EBAY states that the diaphragm is inoperable.

So, here's the question: Is the D204 in the Spitfire the same as the GT6, but merely with a 6-cyl cap?. Is it that simple? Alternately, can a TR-6 dist. fit a GT6?

Any suggestions gratefully accepted.

Thanks,
-Bob


Answer
Bob,

From what I've been able to discover, the D204 Spitfire distributor is essentially the same as the setup in the late GT6.  The DIFFERENCE is in the central shaft.  If you look at yours, it's got a 6 sided section where the points arm hits.  On the Spitfire unit it'll be 4 sided.  For obvious reasons.

What you can do is put a "parts wanted" ad on the VTR classifieds (www.VTR.org, under the classifieds link) and see if anyone can supply the correct vacuum unit.


Cheers,

Jim