Modern "Lucas" Coils

General Chat with an emphasis on BMC Minis & Other iconic cars of the 1960's.
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Re: Modern "Lucas" Coils

Post by mk1 »

Lot's Of Trouble Usually Sortable.
251 ENG
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Re: Modern "Lucas" Coils

Post by 251 ENG »

We once had an historic rally car come in for a rolling road .
The issue turned out to be the coil
It had an original Lucas sports coil on it with the red end .

Dated 1958 !!!
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Re: Modern "Lucas" Coils

Post by mk1 »

Bloody unreliable Lucas parts. :lol: :lol:
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Re: Modern "Lucas" Coils

Post by 111Robin »

Nowadays you fit it at 12:00 and it fails at 19:58 (if you're lucky)
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Re: Modern "Lucas" Coils

Post by Bitsilly »

I just buy Lucas stickers and stick em whatever is best!
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Re: Modern "Lucas" Coils

Post by floormanager »

Peter Laidler wrote: Wed Sep 14, 2022 9:33 am I'm a big believer in the Distributor Doctors products, including his India-made coils on the basis that he has a good reputation to uphold. I haven't needed a replacement for ages but when I do, I'll get one from him - with his reputation attached to it. An opinion based solely on my dealings with him and his stuff in the past

Anyone else feel the same
Yes, Martin knows his onions. I buy points, condensers from him and have had him rebuild a couple of dizzys. I had a misfire and suspected the condenser. I spoke with Martin, he said if it was faulty he'd replace it after 2 years. He was confident it was not faulty but would test it. Turned out not to be the condenser (the new points had closed up). Red face on my part :oops:
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Re: Modern "Lucas" Coils

Post by AndyPen »

I visited Martin as he refurbed my S dizzy. Had a proper tour around and very impressed indeed. I'd trust his judgement on coils ;-)
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Re: Modern "Lucas" Coils

Post by mab01uk »

There do seem to be low grade reproduction copies of the original UK Lucas coils on the market....but I assume Distributor Doctor (Martin) sells good reproduction copies (he states made in India) as he does now give a 3 Year warranty on them?
http://www.distributordoctor.com/ignition-coils.html

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Re: Modern "Lucas" Coils

Post by mk1 »

Martin's stuff is great, but personally I'd rather support a Bona Fide UK manufacturer than some Indian Sweatshop.

"Due to an increasing demand for high quality auto electrical components, a new brand of ignition coils has been launched - REMAX. These coils, manufactured in England, are superior in construction and offer better performance than traditional Lucas coils. In most circumstances the Lucas coils are perfectly satisfactory. However, if extra quality, performance and reliability is required, then a Remax coil is the way to go."

https://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/ ... inside.pdf
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Re: Modern "Lucas" Coils

Post by 111Robin »

Quality aside, I would also rather support a UK manufacturer these days. The prices for the Remax coils are very close to those for the "made in India" Lucas ones which seems odd to me. I was expecting them to be in the order of twice the Lucas prices.
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Re: Modern "Lucas" Coils

Post by InnoCooperExport »

Minisprinter wrote: Tue Sep 13, 2022 8:04 pm If I'm honest I'm not sure they were that spectacular "back in the day" even then Lucas was known as the Prince of darkness.
A friend of mine called his son Lucas, wasn't too pleased when I said ah the Prince of Darkness when he told me the boy's name :lol: Had to explain the nickname first!
Of course I know what a dipstick is, you get called something often enough you look it up!
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Re: Modern "Lucas" Coils

Post by mk1 »

Damien Lucas Satan Beelzebub-Smith ?
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Re: Modern "Lucas" Coils

Post by Spider »

Best I ever had from a modern Lucas Coil was 3 months, but only because that car didn't see much use.

The shortest was 10 minutes.

Utter junk.

Totally agree with the Distributor Doctor's view of the cheap 'one size fits all' Lucas Distributors on ebay and the like;-

https://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/t ... tributors/
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Re: Modern "Lucas" Coils

Post by 111Robin »

Thanks for all of the input. I decided to order a Remax coil at the end of the day. I get the distributor doctor's comments however I would still rather trust a UK manufactured item, rightly or wrongly, time will tell.
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Re: Modern "Lucas" Coils

Post by winabbey »

111Robin wrote: Fri Sep 16, 2022 9:23 am... rightly or wrongly, time will tell.
It would be beneficial to others if you post your findings back here after a period using that new coil. ;)
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Re: Modern "Lucas" Coils

Post by 111Robin »

winabbey wrote: Fri Sep 16, 2022 9:46 am
111Robin wrote: Fri Sep 16, 2022 9:23 am... rightly or wrongly, time will tell.
It would be beneficial to others if you post your findings back here after a period using that new coil. ;)
Of course. Hopefully the next update won't be when I'm sitting stranded waiting on recovery again :)
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