[Healeys] Northern Hemisphere Lucas Demons

[Oudesluys]

Most Lucas parts were of excellent quality. They rarely gave any 
trouble. In those days cars did only last for about 5 years or 
40.000miles. We are now 40-70 years on and most of the original stuff is 
still working, quite impressive. That some fail now after all those 
years because of wear cannot be attributed to lack of quality. Anyhow, 
most probably it is because of lacking use and/or maintainance that they 
fail. A drop of oil, cleaning and lubricating switches etc., most don't 
bother, until it stops working and breaks. Contacts in switches will 
corrode and if not used regularly they will built up resistance, than 
heat and burn out. Just a small bit of contact spray now and than will 
keep them in good nick. The big old Lucas relays are of excellent 
quality, but the same applies here. Used regularly and there is rarely 
any trouble. If not used regularly clean the contacts now and than using 
a piece of thin hard cardboard.
Where the car manufacturers went wrong was the wiring, they were 
skimping on that and the connectors and corrosion protection of those. 
And the lack of fuses but that was a universal problem.
These days new "Lucas" parts have nothing to do with good old Joseph's 
joint.
Kees Oudesluijs




J. Armour schreef op 4-6-2015 om 5:16:
> Down –Under in the land of OZ I purchased my first BN.4 in 1966 and 
> drove it every day. Sold it for a home deposit, purchased another BN.4 
> and drove it every day.Then went crazy and purchased a car that had 
> been hammered around Sebring for 12 hours and not having learnt my 
> lessonI purchased another Healey that did three LeMans 24 hour and two 
> Sebring 12 hour races all fitted with Lucas stuff and they have never 
> stopped. What is going on?  Maybe it is time to identify the reliable 
> repair / retailer outlets ( and there are many about from the input I 
> see on the list ) and pay the price they have learnt from experience 
> to select the better product.
> On another occasion I was tuning the BN.4 and it only had 4 spark 
> plugs in the head. I was lazy and turned the engine on the starter to 
> check the valve clearance and bless my soul the old Lucas and SU 
> system started the engine with two cylinders pumping air and unburnt fuel
> When I purchased the second BN.4 it had been freshly serviced by the 
> not so well informed ex-owner working at a service station. Two weeks 
> later the car had been performing well but then would not start. It 
> turned out the good old Lucas system had fried the two stroke lawn 
> mower spark plugs the before mentioned service station attendant had 
> fitted!
>
> I even drove a the 3000 home 90 km with the rotor button held together 
> with a piece of electrial tape.  Good old reliable Joseph Lucas.
>
> Joe
>
>
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