Subject: Igniton set up for my M45 engne

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I am trying to improve the ignition side of my car and would welcome any advice or experience of members to get my car up the hills that little bit quicker.

Existing set up:

My car is a Lagonda special with the M45/314 engine in a 3.5 litre chassis.

The original distributor (probably a Rotax DF6 4) had been replaced with a Lucas Type DK6A - 0 unit before I purchased the car. This unit has an integral 17 degree auto advance and retard mechanism.

The magneto is (I believe) original and is a BTH CE – 6 unit with no auto advance and retard mechanism.

Additionally there is a manual advance and retard linkage where one lever, on the steering boss, advances and retards both the distributor and the magneto together.

Some questions:

1.  Is the Lucas DK6A-0 distributor the best distributor to be using?
2.  Should I consider fitting an auto advance and retard unit to the BTH CE – 6 magneto to match the advance and retard characteristics of the distributor?
3.  It is sensible to have the timing of both the distributor and the magneto locked together via the manual linkage, if the distributor has an auto A/R capability and the magneto side does not?

I would welcome any/all advice/thoughts, Do’s/Don’t’s etc.

If it would be easier to talk rather than reply via the Forum, please call me on 01590 677 900 and I will return your call. Any time but between 1800 and 2000 any evening would be perfect for me.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Andrew Cheyne