Lucas Ignition

In fact Lucas can keep going despite terrible wear and abuse, for example i have just emptied the water (a cupful) out of my MF 165 Lucas starter motor (The tractor had been left to soak in a mud hole last year) all i had to do was tap the motor as the brushes tended to stick on the rusted brackets every time i wanted to start it! I still can`t understand how it kept going all this time. If only i had known i would have sorted the poor thing earlier rather than just putting up with the problem.

Most Lucas equipment was designed for use in remote British colonies/commonwealth countries and most faults that occur seem to be more fixable by low skilled workers than other makes (eg new brushes and a clean up type repairs).

We had AC starters on the first "X" series tractors and, when we fitted clutches,as we did on a regular basis, we also had to clear the backs of many starters out of the bell housing.It was not until Ford changed to a Lucas starter that we lost that problem.

I have had Lucas systems for more 40 years and have had no problems either.

I see British systems getting knocked hard on these boards at times. People seem to forget we stand side by side on a lot of issues and its not nice to knock your friends.

Ernie

"Electrical Theory by Joseph Lucas"

"Positive ground depends upon proper circuit functioning, the transmission of negative ions by retention of the visible spectral manifestation known as "smoke". Smoke is the thing that makes electrical circuits work; we know this to be true because every time one lets the smoke out of the electrical system, it stops working. This can be verified repeatedly through empirical testing. When, for example, the smoke escapes from an electrical component (i.e., say, a Lucas voltage regulator), it will be observed that the component stops working. The function of the wire harness is to carry the smoke from one device to another; when the wire harness "springs a leak", and lets all the smoke out of the system, nothing works afterwards. Starter motors were frowned upon in British Automobiles for some time, largely because they consume large quantities of smoke, requiring very large wires."

"It has been noted that Lucas components are possibly more prone to electrical leakage than Bosch or generic Japanese electrics. Experts point out that this is because Lucas is British and all things British leak. British engines leak oil, shock absorbers, hydraulic forks and disk brakes leak fluid, British tyres leak air and the British defense establishment leaks secrets...so, naturally, British electrics leak smoke."

[Contributed by John E, Long Beach, CA]

Link

Still, even in the funniest caricatures, there must be a shred of truth. So, what is it with these tractors and the dreaded "Lucas" curse?

Here's MY favorite Easter Bunny funny... (NOT PC.)

• Poor Bunny