Many thanks to Mike Frank. What an absolute wealth of knowledge. He's very patiently walked me through every step of my gettng rid of the Prince of Darkness. I was on my third Lucas alternator in that many years. My "E" is not a trailer queen or a mint show car. These cars were made to be driven and I drive mine most every day rain or shine. I was merely looking for reliability not antiquated originality. Thanks Hitachi for advanced technology and thanks again Mike!
Jack Coulter

Submitted by mfrank@westnet.com on Sat, 07/24/2010 - 21:34

Having just helped Jack down the slippery slope to Hitachi electrics, you all may be surprised to know that I agree wholeheartedly that Lucas has been incorrectly maligned over the years. The Lucas stuff was as advanced as anything in the market when it was new...Lucas was mass producing reliable alternators when Ford was still trying to make good generators. They were making solid state voltage regulators six years before Chrysler. There are a few areas that can be problematic...sealing of relays with cork is a bit funky, for example. But if Lucar connectors tend to corrode, it's more due to the lousy weather sealing of many English cars than because of any inherent flaw in design.

If you think your fuses go non-conductive too often, try the Bosch fuses used in German cars until the early 90's. There's really no problem with the designs used by Lucas, when comparing to contemporary designs.

Where there is a problem is in finding spare parts, good cores, and competent rebuilds forty years on. For this reason, I can't find fault with someone switching to something more serviceable in a driven car.

Submitted by dougdwyer1@com… on Sat, 07/24/2010 - 20:37

My experiences with Lucas stuff has generally been good. Certainly the alternators and starters are as long lasting as any others I've owned...sometimes longer. I've had good luck with Lucas ignition parts are relays and specifically request them when working on Jags.

Some of the switchgear (like window and turn signal switches) is low grade, IMHO. And the use of unsealed bullet connectors in areas subject to the elements is almost almost unforgivable in any car built after the 50s...and doubly so in a car like a Jaguar.

I have no doubts that if Jaguar had specified higher grade items Lucas could have and would have gladly accomodated the request :-)

Aside: it's a bit amusing when owners of newer Jags curse Lucas for electrical problems. Chances are they're actually ...but unknowingly...cursing a Bosch or Nippondenso fault. Some legends never die.

All in all I think the whole Lucas thing is a ballyhooed and overblown... but there is basis in truth.

Cheers
DD

Submitted by jack@deatonyac… on Sat, 07/24/2010 - 20:17

My "Prince of Darkness" label??? I've been seeing that T shirt,coffee mug, and poster for the past 30 years! Are you saying this is just a myth? Having spent a big part of my younger life in the UK (my Mom still lives there) I was made aware many times of the downfalls of Lucas while riding in my Dad's 1953 Singer roadster, 1955 Frazer-Nash, and a Triumph TR2 heading to Blackpool for a holiday. My Dad taught my brother and I lots of new words while sitting alongside an English carriageway at 2:00 a.m. with no working lights!!
I always thought SU was manufactured originally by Skinner's Union? In fact I think it was two Skinner brothers that cranked up the manufacturing facility in the 20's or 30's. I certainly never associated Lucas with SU. SU is a fantastic carb. If I can find triple SUs to replace the dual Zenith Srombergs, that will be my next move on my "E". I certainly cheer and respect your opinion of Lucas.
Jack

Submitted by bonnettoboot@e… on Sat, 07/24/2010 - 17:51

Jack, after many years of professional experience I totally disagree with your " Prince of darkness" label. There are still thousands of 50 year old cars with the same starters and generators. The problem is almost always with incompetent mechanics or owners. Some people still think Lucas made SU fuel pumps. Oh I ike Bikes too, in fact right now Iam in Laguna seca at the MOTOGP!

Submitted by jack@deatonyac… on Sat, 07/24/2010 - 17:41

George that may very well be true but it will fail with a 5 year unconditional warranty and can be purchsed (new not refurbed) at $52.00 a pop from a NAPA store that's 6 miles from my home. Any replacement carries the same warranty. I don't think it was just my alternator that gave Lucas the glowing reputation that it has. Lets just say when I think of reliability, Lucas is not the first thing that pops in my mind! So far in my 63 years I've owned 22 British cars and 13 British motorcycles. From that experience I thank God that Lucas does not make heart monitors!
Jack

Submitted by SE98-32482CJ on Sat, 07/24/2010 - 16:15

Well Jack we sense your frustration and elation but I must tell you if you were going through that many Lucas ALts you had a real crappy rebuilder or you have some other electrical issue that the HItachi will fail from also--I hhope you have good success-