LUCAS "Opus" Electronic Ignition: Distributor: Notes
The distributor consists of a centrifugal advance mechanism and either a vacuum advance or retard unit, a high tension rotor, an electronic timing rotor, a pick-up module assembly (if used), a fuel injection triggering device. See Fig 2.
The timing rotor and pick-up module, working with the amplifier, provide the function of breaker points and cam. The timing rotor is a glass-filled nylon disc with small iron rods embedded into its outer circumference, one rod for each engine cylinder. The gap between the timing rotor and pick-up module is adjustable. The pick-up module is magnetically balanced and has input and output windings.
A vacuum unit provides automatic vacuum advance or retard depending upon model, by varying the static timing position of the pick-up module in relation to the iron rods in the timing rotor. The timing rotor and pick-up module generate on electronic timing signal, which is fed to the amplifier through special cables.