rover v8 ignition systems advice for the clueless....

[Andy Badger]

Hi guys,
im swapping a 2.8 v6 ford engine for a 3.5 v8 rover (came out of a 1985 SD1) in my mk III (i think)sumo.
Im wondering what the best ignition system to use is. Ive looked on the RPI website who declare that the mallory dual point system is the dogs b0110cks.
Are they right or only trying to peddle them as they have a plethora of them that they are trying to shift???

can anyone help me as i am totally clueless.

cheers
Andy

[craggle]

The Mallory dual point is a good distributor but does have reliability issues. I had one on a V8 powered Land Rover and it needed regular adjustment and a host of new condensers in the few years I owned it.

A better choice would be the Mallory Unilite distributor and the correct Mallory coil and ballast resistor. These are electronically triggered and should be very reliable.

Don't overlook the later Rover distributors. The last of the Range Rover classics had a very good and reliable electronic ignition system. Not sure what the code is for this type of distributor though. My 1993 Range Rover had one with a small black box mounted on the side of the distributor body and Never had any problems with this. They should be available cheaply as well as second hand units.

If you decide to go with the Mallory option look at prices for buying from the states. Could be a lot cheaper.

Craig.

[chesterak]

I use a bog standard Range Rover distributor (DLMB, I think) with a Jacobs control unit and Jacobs coil (bought from the US on Russ Rams advice) on my 5.0L, all works very well.

[robinj66]

I'd be tempted to run with the Rover ignition to begin with (assuming it's working).
A 1985 engine is likely to have a separate ignition amplifier (usually mounted with the coil) - that's supposed to be a step up from the OPUS system fitted to my engine (which hasn't given me any bother so far, touch wood)

[stu e]

Hi

I had the OPUS type distributor, didn't work at all, fitted a Lumenition Kit and touch wood not had a problem for a couple of years.

Stu.

[slogger]

Originally Posted by stu e

Hi

I had the OPUS type distributor, didn't work at all, fitted a Lumenition Kit and touch wood not had a problem for a couple of years.

Stu.

I ran an Opus system on a 3.5 Rv8 for 7 years. Never missed a beat! You must keep the amp unit cool and use a Rover rotor arm as the cheap pattern ones fail. Well mine did and I'm sure there have been a couple of treads on here about it.

Good luck.

[David Large]

The advice about Mallory distributors you have been given is good. If you decide to go that route (and as others have said there is probably no need to) then do not have a Mallory with a condensor iattached to it.

In your position I would stick with the standard Rover and see how it all goes.

Chers

[Andy Badger]

thanks for the advice guys, a big lesson i learned when i owned a robin hood was that throwing money at a problem wasnt always the best solution...it looks like that piece of advice i should try to heed with the cobra as well!
Thanks for all the comments guys.
i do have lumenition box with the v6 already, would i be able to use that or will it be specific to the v6 ford engine???

cheers
Andy

[robinj66]

Originally Posted by Andy Badger

i do have lumenition box with the v6 already, would i be able to use that or will it be specific to the v6 ford engine???

cheers
Andy

If not you could always try and sell it to me for my robin Hood

[Purple AK]

Andy you can use your Lumenition box with an early Rover 35D8 points dizzy and a suitable fitting kit. Available here
http://www.lumenition.com/new/main.php