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Rover V8 Engine Ignition System |
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Distributor Identification Distributor - Range Rover Distributor - Mallory Dual Point Lumenition Kit ©Rimmer Bros Ltd - Registered in England No. 2155394. VAT No. GB 352 8473 40.
Ignition System
Ignition Components
Plug Leads & Spark Plugs
There have been as many variations in the distributor fitted to the Rover V8 as there have been changes to the engine. Nevertheless, all factory-fitted distributors are Lucas items and all, with certain limitations, are interchangeable. Early versions of the engine - Rover P5, P6 and early Range Rover - were fitted with contact breaker distributors, either single or twin points.
With the introduction of the Rover SD1 saloon, in 1976, came a new electronic ignition distributor, the Lucas 'OPUS' 35DE8. This was a completely self-contained unit, with the exception of a ballast resistor pack mounted away from the distributor.
In 1982, the 35DE8 was replaced by the Lucas 35DM8, an improved design with the ignition module located away from the main distributor (and therefore away from engine heat). In 1985, an updated version of the DM8 - the DLM8 - was fitted to the Rover SD1. This distributor is similar to the DM8 but has an ignition module attached to the side of the distributor casing.
Other V8 vehicles, such as the TR8 and Range Rover, have been fitted with versions of the same distributors, typically featuring different advance characteristics to suit their particular application. As stated above, most distributors are interchangeable, but early (pre 1976) and late (1976 on) units have a different oil pump drive gear. Early are known as 'rigid shaft', with a tooth on the end of the distributor shaft which engages in a slot in the oil pump shaft. Late units are know as 'flexible shaft', and feature a flexibly mounted skew gear on the end of the distributor shaft, which has a slot that engages with a tooth on the oil pump shaft.
In addition to original Lucas distributors, we stock Lumenition electronic ignition kits, which are suitable for points type or 35DE8 electronic distributors only. We also stock complete replacement distributors by Mallory. Mallory distributors are twin contact breaker units, available in early or late type configurations, and feature adjustable ignition advance facility.
Identifying your distributor is fairly straightforward, as there is a code - such as DLM8 - stamped on the unit itself. However, you may need to remove the distributor from the engine in order to see the number.
Distributor (saloon/sport);
Rover P6 (points type) - (1) - 614031
Rover SD1 (electronic)
Lucas 35DE8 (1976 - 1982) - (1) - ERC3047ELEC
Lucas DM8 (1982 - 1985)
Carb Engines - (1) - ERC8814
Efi Engines - (1) - ERC9122
Lucas DLM8 (1985 onwards)
Carb Engines - (1) - ADU8817
Efi Engines - (1) - ADU8818
Triumph TR8 - (1) - ERC3047ELEC
Early vehicles (1970 to June 1981) have Lucas points type distributors. Electronic ignition was introduced in July 1981. From this time, as A-suffix after the engine number denotes points ignition, and a B-suffix, electronic ignition (carb engines only - all Efi are electronic ignition).
From 1986, all distributors are electronic - either the Lucas 35DM8, having a separate ignition amplifier mounted underneath the coil, or on later vehicles, the Lucas 35DLM8, which has an amplifier module mounted on the side of the distributor itself.
From 1992 (3.9 & 4.2 litre), distributors have either a 2-pin or a 3-pin amplifier module in the body of the distributor. The later 3-pin can be used to replace the 2-pin when fitted in conjunction with the appropriate link lead, part number STC1212. The latest 3.9 & 4.2 engines have a remote amplifier again, mounted away from the distributor. Points type distributors can be converted to electronic ignition with Lumenition kit RB7323.
Distributor (Range Rover);
Points Type (carb engines)
Non-Detoxed Engines
1970 to Sept 1977 - (1) - 614179
Engines 355, suffix A to E (8.5 & 8.25:1 cr).
Oct 1977 to June 1981 - (1) - ERC3342
Engines 355 suffix F. Also 13D & 18D suffix A (8.13:1).
Detoxed Engines
Feb 1971 to Sept 1977 - (1) - 614179
Engines 341, 355, 356, 357, 359 suffix B to E (8.25:1 cr).
Oct 1977 onwards - (1) - ERC7131
Engines 341, 359, 398 suffix F onwards (8.13:1 cr).
Also 11D, 15D, 16D, 17D & 19D suffix A.
Electronic Ignition
Carb Engines - up to Oct 1985
9.35:1 cr Engines - (1) - ETC4715
Engines 15D, 16D, 17D & 19D suffix B.
8.13 cr Engines
With Air Rails - (1) - ETC5090
Engines 20D & 21D.
Without Air Rails - (1) - ETC4717
Engines 13D & 18D suffix B.
Carb Engines - 1986 onwards
Lucas 35DM8
9.35:1 cr, detoxed engines - (1) - ETC6122
Engine nos. 26D & 27D.
8.13:1 cr, non-detoxed - (1) - ETC4717
Engine nos. 28D & 29D.
8.13:1 cr, detoxed engines - (1) - ETC5090
Engine no. 30D.
Lucas 35DLM8
9.35:1 cr, detoxed engines - (1) - ETC6952
Engine nos. 26D & 27D.
8.13:1 cr engines (all) - (1) - ETC6976
Engine nos. 28D, 29D & 30D.
Efi Engines
3.5 Litre
Lucas 35DM8 - (1) - ETC5953
High & low cr, with separate amplifier module.
Lucas 35DLM8 - (1) - ETC6951
High & low cr, with distributor mounted amplifier.
3.9 Litre - up to 1991
Engine nos. 35D & 36D - (1) - ERR744
Lucas 35DLM8, with integral amplifier module.
Engine nos. 37D & 38D - (1) - ETC6268
Lucas 35DM8, with separate amplifier module.
3.9 Litre - 1992 on - 35D & 36D engines
With integral amplifier module
Non-Catalyst - (1) - ERR4739
Catalyst-Equipped - (1) - ERR4738
With remote amplifier module
Non Catalyst - (1) - ERR5208
Catalyst Equipped - (1) - ERR5209
3.9 Litre - 1992 on - 37D & 38D engines
With Integral Amplifier - (1) - ERR4740
With Remote Amplifier - (1) - ERR5207
4.2 Litre Engines
With 2-pin Integral Amplifier - (1) - ERR4113
With 3-pin Integral Amplifier - (1) - ERR4740
With Remote Amplifier - (1) - ERR5208
Replacement distributor for the V8, suitable for early and late model applications. Complete with adjustable mechanical and vacuum advance.
Early - (1) - RB7458
With oil pump drive tooth on distributor shaft (Rigid Shaft).
Late
With slot in distributor shaft for oil pump drive (Flexible Shaft).
Dual Point - (1) - RB7459
Electronic - (1) - RB7459ELECTRONIC
Distributor Cap;
Original Type - (1) - GDC117P
Mallory Type - (1) - RB7469
Rotor Arm;
Rover P6 - (1) - GRA112
Rover SD1/TR8 - (1) - GRA117P
Range Rover
Points Type
1970 to Sept 1977 - (1) - RTC6630
Oct 1977 onwards - (1) - RTC3618
Electronic Ignition Type - (1) - GRA117P
Mallory - (1) - RB7472
Contact Breaker Points
Rover P6 - (2) - GCS108
Range Rover
1970 to Sept 1977 - (1) - RTC6623
Oct 1977 onwards - (1) - GCS2117
Mallory - (2) - RB7470
Condenser;
Rover P6 - (1) - GSC111
Range Rover - (1) - RTC3472
Mallory - (1) - RB7471
Includes all parts and instructions necessary to convert Lucas 35D8 points and 35DE8 electronic distributors to breakerless electronic ignition. Benefits include better starting/reliability, reduced maintenance and improved performance/mpg. (Distributor can also be converted back if so desired).
Lumenition Kit;
P6 (points type) - (1) - RB7270
SD1 (electronic) - (1) - RB7323
Lumenition Performance Ignition Kit;
As above kit but also offers constant maximum spark energy at coil through the whole rev range. Supplied complete with low resistance coil.
P6 (points type) - (1) - RB7270PERFORMANCE
SD1 (electronic) - (1) - RB7323PERFORMANCE
Pick-Up & Baseplate - electronic distributor;
Rover SD1
35DE8 - (1) - AAU3988
35DM8 - (1) - AEU1760
35DLM8 - (1) - BAU5106
Range Rover
Carb Engines - (1) - RTC3198
Efi Engines
3.5 Litre with 35DM8 - (1) - RTC3198
3.5 Litre with 35DLM8 - (1) - RTC5090
3.9 (all) & 4.2 Litre - (1) - RTC5090
Vacuum Advance Unit - distributor;
Rover SD1 - (1) - AAU8451
Range Rover
Points Type Distributors
Non-Detoxed - (1) - UKC1674
Detoxed - (1) - 608266
Electronic Distributors
Up to Oct 1985
9.35:1 cr engines - (1) - 608266
8.13:1 cr engines - (1) - RTC3201
Oct 1985 onwards (all) - (1) - RTC3201
Including 3.96 & 4.2 litre.
Mallory Distributor - (1) - RB7473
Sealing Ring - distributor shaft - (1) - 603446
All distributors.
Drive Gear - distributor shaft (all engines);
Early Engines - (1) - 605217
With oil pump drive tooth on distributor shaft.
Late Engines - (1) - ERC1353A
With slot for oil pump drive.
Ignition Coil;
SD1/TR8 - (1) - GCL143
Range Rover
Points Distributor - (1) - 573038
Electronic Distributor
NB. Both types interchangeable.
Bosch - (1) - PRC6574
Lucas - (1) - RTC5628
Moroso Chrome Coil - (1) - RB7475
Suitable for Mallory distributor.
Ballast Resistor;
Opus 35DE8 Type - (1) - DRC1638
Mallory Type - (1) - RB7476
Suppressor - coil - (1) - DRC1068
Amplifier Module - electronic ignition;
Rover SD1
35DM8 - (1) - AEU1917
Underneath coil.
35DLM8 - (1) - NJL100060
Attached to distributor casing.
Range Rover
Remote - Lucas 35DM8 - (1) - AEU1917
Underneath ignition coil.
Integral - Lucas 35DLM8
2-Pin - (1) - NJL100060
3-Pin - (1) - STC1184
Remote - late 3.9 & 4.2 - (1) - STC1856
Link Lead - amplifier to coil - Range Rover;
2-Pin Amplifier
3.5 Litre - (1) - PRC6141
3.9 Litre - (1) - PRC6144
3-Pin Amplifier - (1) - STC1212
Plug Lead Set;
Original Type
Rover SD1
1976 - 1982 - (1) - GHT165
1982 Onwards - (1) - GHT206
Triumph TR8 - (1) - GHT182
Range Rover - (1) - RTC6551
Performance - (1) - GHT182S
Silicone leads suitable for all engines.
Plug Lead Retainer;
All models. Holds 4 leads.
Loose - (1) - 603673A
Fixed - (1) - 603672A
Spark Plug;
Rover P6 (12.7mm reach) - (8) - GSP4376
Rover SD1 (19mm reach)
Carb Engines
1976 - 1982 - (8) - GSP4382
1982 Onwards - (8) - GSP4362
Efi Engines - (8) - GSP6462
Triumph TR8 - (8) - GSP4382
Range Rover
3.5 Litre
1970 - 1977 - (8) - GSP4376
1978 Onwards - (8) - GSP4362
3.9 Litre
9.35:1 cr Non Catalyst - (8) - GSP4362
8.13:1 cr Catalyst Engines - (8) - GSP4482
4.2 Litre - (8) - GSP6462
Spark Plug Spanner - (1) - GAT140
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and are used with their Licence under the Special 'Heritage' approval Scheme.
All original part numbers & illustrations have been reproduced by kind permission of British Motor Heritage.