Rotor Arms

[davidchapmaninuk]

Ron,

I think I've mentioned it before but it is so important it is worth
saying again.

These have been a real problem in recent years. The ones I here of
that fail most are Lucas branded and boxed and were made within the
last 10 years.

There is a design that is slightly bigger with a counterbalance on
the back.
These seem to last forever but very difficult to find as they haven't
been made since the 1970s.

Not just an Amphicar issue, same part is used in many other British
cars.
The problem is they don't look burnt. The black plastic appears to
become conductive and the spark goes to earth via the distributor
shaft.

Bill Davies one of the best Triumph parts suppliers in the UK said
this:

"Reliability has been a problem with recently available rotor arms
intended for Lucas 4 & 6 cylinder distributors, particularly when
used with electronic ignition or other uprated ignition components.
We now stock a high quality replacement rotor arm for the popular
Lucas distributors used form the 1950s to 1974"

He sells them on his website www.rarebits4classics.co.uk

David C

 

[rlgreen_55]

Dave,

Thanks for the rotor tip. Seems logical that the sudden failure could
be caused by the rotor going to ground due to incorrect material (and
its breaking down) used for its construction. I plan on buying a
couple of these from the company you mentioned as they seem to be a
quality unit.

It is not fun being towed in however I was lucky as there were lots
of boats out that day unlike the night I towed in a fishing boat with
Amphi. I spotted a boat dead in the water and with no other boats out
this night I threw him a line and towed them ashore.

Ron Green



--- In amphicar-lovers@yahoogroups.com, "davidchapmaninuk"
<david@...> wrote:
>
> Ron,
>
> I think I've mentioned it before but it is so important it is worth
> saying again.
>
> These have been a real problem in recent years. The ones I here of
> that fail most are Lucas branded and boxed and were made within the
> last 10 years.
>
> There is a design that is slightly bigger with a counterbalance on
> the back.
> These seem to last forever but very difficult to find as they
haven't
> been made since the 1970s.
>
> Not just an Amphicar issue, same part is used in many other British
> cars.
> The problem is they don't look burnt. The black plastic appears to
> become conductive and the spark goes to earth via the distributor
> shaft.
>
> Bill Davies one of the best Triumph parts suppliers in the UK said
> this:
>
> "Reliability has been a problem with recently available rotor arms
> intended for Lucas 4 & 6 cylinder distributors, particularly when
> used with electronic ignition or other uprated ignition components.
> We now stock a high quality replacement rotor arm for the popular
> Lucas distributors used form the 1950s to 1974"
>
> He sells them on his website www.rarebits4classics.co.uk
>
> David C
>