Distributor Difficulties...

[B. Wallace]

I just installed a Pertronix ignition unit and Flame Thrower coil on the 1972 Series III 88. The website I purchased the unit from list them by year model, 1971-1983 45D4, and 1958-1970 25D4. After installing it and getting no fire, and after checking every electrical connection possible, and after reading how everyone who has ever installed one of these has had no trouble, I notice something: My distributor says 25D. After rechecking the website and noticing their part numbers, I realize there is a 25D and a 45D. I suppose this could explain my problem. Had a previous owner installed the wrong distributor, and I was naive to order by the year model, or is there another reason this isn't working. Do I need the 45D distributor, or is mine suitable. ANY help at all would be greatly appreciated!
Also, after no replies to my posting about finding used 16" wheels, does anyone have any good suggestions for a 15" tire that would look "original". I've had no luck with this topic either...

Thanks,
Ben

[gudjeon]

sparky-wheelie

Howdy Ben,

I had just put in a petronix today too. Mine was a 25D. Did the unit made for the 45 fit into the 25? If so, maybe just hotwire it like is suggested in the instructions if a no start condition is found. It would probably be wise to see if you could exchange it somehow or with someone. If they were interchangable, they would have just one unit for both.
As for 15" rims, I have no experience but maybe a good tire shop can help you out with getting the correct profile. I like the tall skinny's over the fat wide things they ususal sell.

[siiirhd88]

Tires

For taller tires to fit 15 inch rims, you could try 30x9.5-15, which are nominally 30 inches in diameter with a 9.5" section width. The typical Series 235-85-16 is 31.7 inches in diameter with a section width of 9.4 inches. Also available would be a 31x10.5-15, but it would need a wider rim, and also a 33x9.5-15. Check Tirerack.com for other sizes.....

I have a number of old Series 16" rims available, but I can't guarantee the condition.....

Bob

[yorker]

For original looking tires do you mean a vintage style tire/tread or size?

If you want a vintage tread for a tire try NDTs be warned they suck in snow, mud and wet roads. :

http://store.coker.com/search.php?mode=search&by_title=Y&by_shortdescr=Y&by_fulldescr=Y&substring=750-15

that is a 7.50 15 which would look good on stock 15" rims.


For tires- what stock size are you looking for? US 88s came stock with tires like h78 15s ~28" tall By today's standards they look dinky. Something like a 225-75-15 would be sort of close, 235-75 15 is common.

http://carnut.com/specs/tires.html

LWBs came with ~31" 7.50 16 tires. If you want to approach this size in a 15" rim you need to find something like a 33-9.50 15. BFG used to make them but now has gone up to a 33 10.50 15. Someone else makes 33 9.50 15s though... http://www.nebraskatire.com/lt_truck/lt_to.htm

Oh despite claiming to be 33" tall they aren't even close. more like 31.5"

[Leslie]

BFG still has the AT/KO in 33x9.5-15 on their website: http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/specs...t-a-ko/44.html

Not a vintage look, but a good tire. For the MT/KM though, yes, it goes up to the 33x10.5...

[B. Wallace]

Well, I thought it was going to work because they said there was only one way that it fits. And this one did line up, but it's a much larger unit than the one they sell for the 25D. You can see what I'm talking about at classicgarage.com. The part number on the box says LU-143, and I think I need the LU-142. I installed it the exact way it instructed me to do, but never got any ignition. Was your installation pretty straight forward? What part number is your unit? I'm going to call them Monday and see if they'll swap it, considering their website is inaccurate.

[TSR53]

Another 7.00-15 vintage alternative...
Description
700-15 STA Super Traxion
Details SKU:59132
Construction: Tubeless 6 ply nylon
Load Capacity: 1720 @ 45 psi
Overall Diameter: 28.75
Tread Width: 6.25
Price:$ 104.00
universaltire.com

[yorker]

BFG still has the AT/KO in 33x9.5-15 on their website: http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/specs...t-a-ko/44.html

Not a vintage look, but a good tire. For the MT/KM though, yes, it goes up to the 33x10.5...

I had the 33*9.50 *15s on my Rover for a while they were a good choice- at the time it was cheaper for me because to get a tire as tall as a 235-85-16/7.50-16 I would have had to buy 16" rims AND 5 tires. By buying the BFG all terrains I managed to get the height I needed simply by buying tires.

Another advantage was that they were C rated, and much lighter and better riding than an E load rated 235-85-16- ideal for an 88.

In the end I ended swapping them off- only because for my uses the BFG no terrain was a terrible choice. They simply turned into slicks at the first hint of mud here. I gave them to my brother who put them on his FJ40- which is locked F+R I have honestly seen it get stuck 20' off pavement with those tires in mud.

But for on road and in snow they were hard to beat- they did well in gravel/sand and rocks too.

The STA super Traxion is a good tread. I used to have some McCreary's that were very similar.

Right now I'm running some literally vintage directional tires that really work well:

[Bostonian1976]

I had the 33*9.50 *15s on my Rover for a while they were a good choice- at the time it was cheaper for me because to get a tire as tall as a 235-85-16/7.50-16 I would have had to buy 16" rims AND 5 tires. By buying the BFG all terrains I managed to get the height I needed simply by buying tires.

Another advantage was that they were C rated, and much lighter and better riding than an E load rated 235-85-16- ideal for an 88.

In the end I ended swapping them off- only because for my uses the BFG no terrain was a terrible choice. They simply turned into slicks at the first hint of mud here. I gave them to my brother who put them on his FJ40- which is locked F+R I have honestly seen it get stuck 20' off pavement with those tires in mud.

But for on road and in snow they were hard to beat- they did well in gravel/sand and rocks too.

The STA super Traxion is a good tread. I used to have some McCreary's that were very similar.

Right now I'm running some literally vintage directional tires that really work well:

what are those tires and how did you get them? I think those are what are on my '65 that has been sitting since 1981. Mine are completely dry-rotted, obviously...

[gudjeon]

Sparky-sparky

howdy Ben,

Yes, you'll need the 142A kit to go with the Lucas 25D distributor. That is what I obtained and it works ( also have the 25D). I put this in over the weekend and it fires right up. I would try to get it exchanged for the correct one. It installs very easily and the hardest part is deciding where to run the wire. Now I just need my new carb from Burlen. Is a petrol motor suppose to smoke black like a diesel?

Good Luck,

Jon

[jp-]

I've got the Super Traxion's on my 88". I like them, but man they get flat spots easily. If I don't drive it for a week, you can feel the flat spots for several miles. My 235/85/16's never did that. Perhaps the load rating on the tire is a bit much for the 88".

Maybe that will go away with more miles on the tires. And they do have some incredible tread depth. I think it will take quite a while to wear them out.

[yorker]

Arent the Super traxions Bias ply? Bias plys always flatspot to some degree. It is really a shock for people when they go from radials to bias and aren't aware of that happening.

[yorker]

what are those tires and how did you get them? I think those are what are on my '65 that has been sitting since 1981. Mine are completely dry-rotted, obviously...

I swapped a set of Brit Military Goodyear Extra Grip tires off of my ambulance for them.

A couple are BF Goodrich I think, another one is the same tire but Greek I think? I can't remember I'll have to look again tomorrow.