Product Description
Rover V8 Distributor
Ignition System
There have been as many variations in the distributor fitted to the Rover V8 as there have been changes to the engine.
Nevertheless, all factory-fitted distributors are Lucas items and all, with certain limitations, are interchangeable.
Early versions of the engine - Rover P5, P6 and early Range Rover - were fitted with contact breaker distributors, either single or twin points.
With the introduction of the Rover SD1 saloon, in 1976, came a new electronic ignition distributor, the Lucas ‘OPUS’ 35DE8. This was a completely self-contained unit, with the exception of a ballast resistor pack mounted away from the distributor.
In 1982, the 35DE8 was replaced by the Lucas 35DM8, an improved design with the ignition module located away from the main distributor (and therefore away from engine heat).
In 1985, an updated version of the DM8 - the DLM8 - was fitted to the Rover SD1. This distributor is similar to the DM8 but has an ignition module attached to the side of the distributor casing.
Other V8 vehicles, such as TR8 and Range Rover, have been fitted with versions of the same distributors, typically featuring different advance characteristics to suit their particular application. As stated above, most distributors are interchangeable, but early (pre-1976) and late (1976 on) units have a different oil pump drive gear:
Early are known as “rigid shaft”, with a tooth on the end of the distributor shaft which engages in a slot in the oil pump shaft.
Late units are known as “flexible shaft”, and feature a flexibly mounted skew gear on the end of the distributor shaft, which has a slot that engages with a tooth on the oil pump shaft. (see also Timing Cover and Oil Pump).
For the 1995 model year the new 4.0 and 4.6 litre engines (as first seen in the new Range Rover Series 2) dispensed with the distributor altogether, moving instead to provide ignition via a pack of coils controlled by the Lucas/SAGEM ‘GEMS’ generic engine management system.
A revamp of Land Rover 4.0 and 4.6 litre engines in 1999 saw Bosch engine management fitted as a result of the ‘Thor’ project, one of the main aims of which was to provide the V8 engine with the internationally standardised automotive electronic diagnostics system.
1995 didn’t quite spell the end for distributors on the V8, the 3.9 and 4.2 litre units soldiering on with distributor ignition for the last year of production of the Range Rover Classic. The 3.9 litre with distributor ignition also continued to power Discovery Series 1s almost to the end of production of that vehicle in 1998, plus several non-Land Rover applications such as the MGR V8 and TVR models.
Not all 4.0 and 4.6 litre engines were distributorless, either. Again, many sports car applications used distributor versions long after Land Rover ceased to use distributor V8s in its own vehicles - the 4.6 litre Morgan Plus 8 retained a distributor and Lucas 14CUX engine management until 2000, for example. Non-GEMS engines continued to be marketed for other non-Land Rover applications for several years thereafter.
Most new distributors are sold on an outright basis. Reconditioned units are exchange.
In addition to original Lucas distributors, we stock Lumenition electronic ignition kits, which are suitable for points type or 35DE8 electronic distributors only. We also stock complete replacement distributors by Mallory and ‘123 Ignition’. Both types are available in early or late type configurations, and feature adjustable ignition advance facility as well as many other enhancements.
Distributor Identification
Identifying your distributor is fairly straightforward, as there is a code - such as DLM8 - stamped on the unit itself. However, you may need to remove the distributor from the engine in order to see the number.
NOTE: depending upon availability, distributors can be supplied in 3 forms: OE, OEM and aftermarket. Part numbers with a P suffix will be either OEM or aftermarket, please refer to the Price Guide or our website for availability.
SALOON/SPORTS
Early vehicles (up to 1976) have Lucas points type distributors. Electronic ignition was introduced with the Rover SD1 for the 1976 model year. Points type distributors can be converted to electronic ignition with Lumenition kits RB7270 (std) or RB7270P (performance), while the Opus electronic ignition on ’76 to ’82 SD1s with 35DE8 distributors can be replaced using Lumenition kits RB7323 (std) or RB7323P (performance).
RANGE ROVER CLASSIC
Early vehicles (1970 to June 1981) have Lucas points type distributors. Electronic ignition was introduced in July 1981. From this time, an A-suffix after the engine number denotes points ignition, and a B-suffix, electronic ignition (carb engines only - all efi are electronic ignition).
From 1986, all distributors are electronic - either the Lucas 35DM8, having a separate ignition amplifier mounted underneath the coil, or on later vehicles, the Lucas 35DLM8, which has an amplifier module mounted on the side of the distributor itself.
From 1992 (3.9 & 4.2 litre), distributors have either a 2-pin or a 3-pin amplifier module on the body of the distributor. The later 3-pin can be used to replace the 2-pin when fitted in conjunction with the appropriate link lead, part no. STC1212.
The last 3.9 & 4.2 engines have a remote amplifier again, mounted away from the distributor. This distributor may also be used to replace the previous integral amplifier type, again using link lead STC1212.
Points type distributors can be converted to electronic ignition with Lumenition kits RB7270 (std) or RB7270P (performance).
DISCOVERY SERIES 1
All Discovery distributors are electronic - either the Lucas 35DM8, having a separate ignition amplifier mounted underneath the coil, or on later vehicles, the Lucas 35DLM8, which has an amplifier module mounted on the side of the distributor itself.
Later design 3-pin amplifier fitted distributors can be used to replace the 2-pin type when fitted in conjunction with the appropriate link lead, part no. STC1212.
The last distributor equipped 3.9 engines have a remote amplifier again, mounted away from the distributor. This distributor may also be used to replace the previous integral amplifier type, again using link lead STC1212.
Series 3 109
All vehicles have Lucas points type distributors which can be converted to electronic ignition with Lumenition kits RB7270 (std) or RB7270P (performance).
DEFENDER CARB
Engines whose serial numbers begin with 14G, 15G or 17G are Stromberg carburettor fitted and have points type distributors, whereas 19G, 20G, 21G and 22G engines with Stromberg carburettors have electronic distributors.
Some 20G and all 24G engines (i.e. later engines) have SU carburetters and electronic distributors, but these distributors differ from the Stromberg engine types.
As with other Land Rover V8 applications, the last SU type electronic distributors with 3 pin amplifiers may be used to replace earlier SU types with 2 pin amplifiers, so long as the link lead STC1212 is also used.
The points type distributors can be converted to electronic ignition with Lumenition kits RB7270 (std) or RB7270P (performance).