Hi everyone, I am a new member I have a question hopefully someone can help me. I am wanting to install a electronic ignition in my 1984 mini, but I do not know witch one I need. Do I need the 45D or 59D how do you tell. Thanks to anyone.

 

Hello I am a new member,I really enjoy reading this forum I am hoping that someone can help me out. I want to put in a electronic ignition in my 1984 mini, but I do not know which one that I need. Do I need the Lucas 45D or 59D how do you tell. Hopefully someone can help. Thanks.

 

question is do you have a A or an A+ block cuz the A+ uses the 59D and the A uses the 45 or earlier dizzy

Does your dip stick fit into a tube that sits on the block, or fit flush to the block? If it sits flush to the block you have an A+.

Does the distributor hold down consist of one bolt thru a fork shaped bracket where the fork fits around the dizzy shaft? If yes, then you have an A+.

There are other tell-tales for identifying the A+ but I find these two the easiest. If you have consistency of answers here I'm confident you have an A+

If you have an A+ the dizzy (with points) will be the 59D.

You should also find the dizzy model number stamped on the metal of the dizzy, at the rim where the cap sits on it. However if like mine this writing faces down so unless you pull the dizzy it may be very difficult to locate / read. On the other hand I incorrectly identified my dizzy until I DID pull it and inspect it so.....

Having made this boo boo tho, I'm confident in the two questions above.
An A+/59D dizzy clamp looks like (picture from 7ent.com)


altho this is a spiffy one and yours may just be painted black. The A clamp uses two bolts to hold a plate down to the block and has a collar bolt to hold against twist (timing change)

I just recently changed out my 59D points for the Pertronix so feel free to PM if you have any reservations or questions. I know that if there was a way to do it wrong - I found it - but once I got everything right I can say that if you do NOT screw up as I did this is a 5 minute job and probably the best improvement I've made to my car since putting in a new block and head!

 

as long as your 59D is the points version the cap for the 45D will fit fine - same for the rotor and the wires.

The real difference between the 59D points version, and the 45D is in the shaft and the parts internal to the block. The shaft length and engagement tangs 'tween the two are totally different. The top ends of the two look almost identical but be warned the Pertronix units between the two are NOT the same.... you must get the right one!

Ask me how I know . . .

p.s. - post these ? in Classics section for better audience - I'll ask mods to move this.