Vintage Minor Register

I hope to tidy up a spare DS4 distributor. I appreciate that these distributors were only fitted for a few years. Are any of the parts readily available and if necessary, is it possible to adapt alternative components?

Yes and no, Sam.

The caps are the same as the fifties Renault Dauphine - these come up on eBay quite regularly and are cheap.

The rotors are adaptable from Vauxhall rotors from about the eighties - you just need to trim the brass contact.

Points are a problem (and if you do find any offered, make sure you get the correct rotation - there were two rotations for DS4's).

Condensers - extremely rare now, and of the NOS ones I have used, they don't last - I think the old mica dialectric is long past its sell-by date even in unused ones. I strap on a new condenser and have never had any problems with these - virtually anything will do.

Rotor arms are available from A=s=t=n 7 suppliers or Ring part no RRA203 which replaces Delco 820445. As Ian says they have to be cut down- check that there sufficient clearance in the disrtibutor cap.

Thanks for the advice. I have been searching for the original points but no luck so far. I tried Yesterday's Components but even Harry Edwards would like to find a set. I suppose a DJ4 distributor is the next option and caps, points and condensers are apparently easy to find. With the DJ4 I understand direction of rotation is something to keep in mind. Does anyone know the correct Lucas part number for points for a Minor with a DJ4 distributor?

Sam,

I think this spreadsheet might help. I need to add the DJ4 to it though.

http://www.vintageminor.co.uk/Forumpix/ ... spares.xls

Digressing briefly I understand these alternative DJ4's have the correct rotation for an OHC Minor ie clockwise when seen from the top.

Here is the DJ4 picture from the manual -

Just while I am contributing pictures you may wish to see my DS4 as it sits at present. The cap is cracked but this should not be a problem. The cap retaining clips need replaced and screws are missing but the points are the main challenge.

Sorry the pictures are a little gloomy.


The outside-



The inside-



The manual-

Hi Sam,

I have emailed you but in casethat does not work I have some DS4 bits you might be interested in.

I believe that the DS4 was also avaiable in an anti clockwise version - I have bits of one!

Cheers
Jeremy