Triumph Repair: Re: Distributor Replacement, spitfire, distributor

Question
QUESTION: I have upgraded my old Stromberg for a Side draft DCOE 45 Weber. The Weber is not compatible with Vacuum advance. There are other distributors out there Mallory dual point, how do I replace the drive gear? The Mallory dual point comes with a smooth shaft?
Is there any other way, change timing etc to compensate for the lack of advance? I have electronic ignition, replaced the internals of the distributor.
Thanks!

ANSWER: Jeff,

Here's a couple of possibilities.   Depends upon your mechanical abilities and budget.

The old school performance tweak for the Triumphs was to drill a hole between the support plate and top plate in the distributor and either rivet or bolt the two together.  Effectively converting the distributor to mechanical advance.

The drive gear is held to the distributor shaft by a roll pin.   If the replacement doesn't come with the drive gear you should be able to reuse the part from your existing distributor.

Finally, you can consider an engine management system such as the Megasquirt.



Cheers,


Jim

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Jim! Very quick detailed response

I will look at the "tweak", skills are medium to advanced.

Is the shaft on the replacement Mallory set up to accept the roll pin and drive gear, or will it need to be machined?

Where can I familiarize myself with the "Megasquirt" system

Thanks -working to keep the old girls running!

Answer
Jeff,

On the Mallory the best bet is to talk to the vendor and see if it's already prepped to be a direct drop in.  Most of the LBC suppliers offer the Mallory dual point (or electronic option), I'm sure at least one will have the distributor ready for install.  

As to the Megasquirt, a web search pulls up a few sites detailing install instructions.  You might also take a look at the North American Spitfire Squadron (nasshq.org), I know several members on the technical list have made the conversion, including full on fuel injection.   Then again, I like the noise the 40DCOE makes on my autocrosser, not sure I'd want to swap it out.


Cheers,

Jim