Electronic Distributor 35DLM8

GRTV8

GRTV8

Well-Known Member
Have tried to find a thread ,nothing .Anyone had any experience with this type of dizzy, electronic lucas 35DLM8.?
Ive got a 72 3500 P6b and am wondering if these are a good option for the standard Prince of darkness that I have at the moment
Good idea or are there better options like Pertronix etc
thanks Guys -Gerald
 
Hi Gerald,

It depends how far you want to go. You'd need to bypass the ballast resistor to feed a full 12V supply and also replace the coil.

More to consider, the 35DLM8 distributor/oil pump drive arrangement will (probably) also be different to that on your current 35D8.
See the bottom of >this page< for the detail - 35D8 shown as "pre-SD1".

When I did my top-end rebuild I kept the P6 front cover, fitted a neoprene crank seal and the oil pump upgrade kit with "pre-SD1" style gear drive, kept the 35D8 and went the Pertronix route for the ignition upgrade. Worked for me! :)

Cheers,
 
Hello Gerald,

The Lucas 35DLM8 distributor has its power module mounted upon it, and in Range Rovers this presented a problem as the heat from the engine resulted in reliability problems. The 35DLM8 also comes with a wobbly drive for the oil pump gear, so unless your engine is running an SD1 timing cover, this will need to be changed for the earlier type which the P6B uses. The ignition coil to run with that distributor is the Lucas DLB198 which requires an unballasted 12V supply where as the standard coil in the P6B runs via a ballast resistor.

Ron.
 
Hi Gerald.

Theres a good reason you can't find a thread on this! It doesn't fit! The P6B V8 and SD1 V8 front covers are different and the skew shaft that drives the oil pump at the bottom and the distributor at the top has a different drive arrangement for the distributor. Adaptors are not available - I know I've tried!

The 35DML8 also has a very poor reputation for frying its electronics in Prince of Darkness form. There is a version available with revised electronics from SimonBBC on Ebay - but like I said it doesn't fit!

SimonBBC does sell a very neat drop in module for the standard distributor and then there's a variety of systems with a good reputation, Pertronix amongst them.

Do make sure that the standard distributor you have is in decent nick before you fit the electronics. Things to check: is there any wobble on the distributor shaft? (shot bearings), is the base plate free to rotate against the springs of the centrifugal advance?, can you see movement of the baseplate when you suck on the pipe to the vacuum advance? If any of these are in trouble then you really need to start with a reconditioned distributor. If spending the dosh for a recon distributor also consider spending the extra to upgrade the distributor to either a Mallory Unilite (good) or a Mallory twin point with ignition amplifier (the best solution available).

Regards

Chris
 
Great -Thanks for all your support.I'll heed your advise.
I often read this forum for info on keeping my P6 up with the play.
I am reluctant to add any input as I know other readers are more informed.
I acknowledge there are people like you out there with your finger on the pulse ,and willing to assist.
Keep up the great work in taking your time with owners like myself.
Totally appreciated- Gerald
 
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