[Fot] Cleaning Out My Shop - Give Away

[Jack Wheeler]

 I don't have any heads, but I'll bet someone on the FOT list knows where there is one.
Jack

    On Tuesday, November 5, 2019, 11:16:21 AM EST, Alan Berry <alanb at alanberrydesign.com> wrote:  
 
 Need a TR4 head for my race car. Any thoughts?
Thanks, 
Alan #41 TR4A
On Tue, Nov 5, 2019, 7:57 AM Jack Wheeler via Fot <fot at autox.team.net> wrote:

I've been going through my shop, getting rid of many things for which I will have no need in the future.
By the mid-80's, when I was racing the TR-4 in SCCA, I was using a crank trigger for my primary ignition system.  I also tried to have a reliable back-up, which up until then had been a stock distributor with Lucas Points.  But, of course, I never adjusted the points, so when I needed the back-up one time, the car wouldn't run right on the stock distributor.
Shortly after that, I was on the phone one night talking with Paul Trapp, who I'm sure some of you know.  He was a real genius with all kinds of engines (also dynoed my TR engine a few times).  He mentioned that he had used a Datsun electronic distributor as a backup in some of the cars he had worked on.  The model he used came in the B210 and a number of other Datsun/Nissan small sedans.  While we were on the phone, he had me get a stock Triumph distributor and a dial caliper.  He had the Datsun distributor.  We took measurements of the key dimensions of the two distributors, and they were nearly identical.  The diameter of the shaft that goes down into the block was exactly the same, and the length of that shaft was very close, such that a thin (about 1/4") shim was all that was required to get the correct height for the Triumph.
>From then on, I used the Datsun electronic distributor as my backup, and the performance was essentially the same as the crank trigger.  The only modification required was to change the drive gear on the end of the shaft, and I had to make up a shim to get the correct height.  An easy conversion.  Paul drew up a wiring diagram which showed how to wire up the dual system.

When I was sorting through some parts the other day, I came across a spare lead that Paul had made up for me, that plugs into the Datsun distributor, and with a few feet of wire to attach to the ignition box.  I used a stock Chrysler brain box, which cost $25 at the time.  Some people us an MSD, etc.  Paul's workmanship was very professional, as indicated in the attached pictures.
I hate to throw anything away, especially something that was made up specifically for me.  So, if anyone has a use for this connecting wire, let me know, and you can have it.  I will even pay the shipping (to the lower 48).  I believe it will work for most Datsun/Nissan small sedan distributors produced in the 80's and early 90's, and perhaps more.
Jack
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