[Healeys] Northern Hemisphere Lucas Demons

Thu Jun 4 01:54:00 MDT 2015

G'day

For once I must agree with Kees!

The original Lucas parts were built to a very high standard and rarely gave
any problems. Everyone laughs at the saying "Price of Darkness" but when was
the last time you actually cleaned the connectors, terminals or switches?

When I restored the BN3 I wanted to reuse the old wiring hardness as it is
unique. So after I removed it from the car it was stripped of all outside
covering, taped at strategic locations and then soaked for three days in a
mix of water and laundry powder. While soaking it was given the occasional
stir. All this removed the years of built up crud. Then I went through every
wire, terminal and connector with a cloth and mineral turpentine. Every
bullet connector was tested and if found wanting, removed and resoldered.
Only when I was happy with its cleanliness did I have it completely rebound
in the correct cotton. I did exactly the same with all the electrical
components. Clean, clean and more clean.

That was in the 1980s and have not had a single electrical problem since.
The secret to Lucas equipment (and any other brand) is cleanliness.

Hoo Roo

Patrick Quinn

Blue Mountains, Australia

From: Healeys [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Oudesluys
Sent: Thursday, 4 June 2015 5:39 PM
To: healeys at autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Northern Hemisphere Lucas Demons

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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