Overhauling And Modifying A Lucas 25D4 Distributor

H&H Ignition Solutions shows MiniWorld how they strip and rebuild a Lucas 25D4 distributor.

- Rob Hawkins

Although the Lucas DM2P4 distributor was used at first on the UK Mini (technical books such as Autodata do not list it), it was soon changed to the 25D4. This was used across most UK Minis until 1974, the only exception being the Mk1 997 Cooper initially having the DM2P4 between 1961 and 1962 (then the 25D4 thereafter), and all Cooper S engines used the 23D4 that had no vacuum unit.

Between 1974 and 1980 the Lucas 45D distributor was used on UK Minis. It had a more streamlined body than its predecessor and a simpler design internally. This was superseded by the 59D in the 1980s, which looks similar to a 45D, but has a different clamping arrangement and drive gear. We wanted to see beyond the points and condenser to find out what’s inside and whether it can be overhauled and modified, so we spent a day with H&H Ignition Solutions of Dudley, in the West Midlands.