Maserati Mistral: LUCAS INJECTION

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM!
www.instagram....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Let’s have a look at this Maserati mistral and the LUCAS Injection system.
#maseratimistralcoupe #maseratimistral #italianclassic #maseratirestoration #maseratimistralspyder #handmaidchrometrim #CarlZeissContax #Contax #PanasonicS5
Music used in the video:
Using this link will give you +2 months of music (14 months in total)!
artlist.io/Lad...
Thank you for watching!

[@michaelcoffman2457]

Wonderful overview of the Lucas injection system! Could you possibly clarify the wiring from the injection fuel pump to the fuse panel? The wiring to the bi-metallic switch and Lucas 6RA relay doesn't appear in the Mistral wiring diagram but is shown on the 3500GTI/Sebring wiring chart. There also appears to be two different wiring configurations. The Lucas factory injection manual also shows this wiring connected to the ammeter and ignition (fuse 11), while the Sebring wiring chart shows the connection from the Lucas 6RA relay to Fuse 11 to a cutoff switch and onto the fuel pump. I also have the Bosch fuel pump conversion which is a welcome upgrade to the Lucas "bomb" .

[@marksitaliangarage]

Hi Michael I’ll be back in the workshop Tuesday and will have a good look so I can answer your questions. Regards Mark

[@ingvarhallstrom2306]

Thank you so much. I think I've learned more about fuel injection in general by watching this video than any other video I've ever watched. It's remarkable how there aren't any stuff like this out there, considering how many videos there are on KZbin on auto mechanics in general. Good work!

[@marksitaliangarage]

Thank you. There are more videos on the Lucas injection on the channel .

[@christoph404]

Lucas fuel injection system is the same on a straight six 2500 triumph TR6 , pretty much identical except the Triumph works from one metering unit not two, but it had all the same problems with the overheating fuel pump which caused fuel to evaporate and bring you to a standstill! Many Tr6 owners scrap the fuel injection and fit twin carbs or triple carbs or even a modern EFI, something I almost did myself on my own TR6 until I fitted a modern Bosch fuel pump which transformed the car, that was 20 years ago and the car is still going strong on the same Bosch pump. The mechanical Lucas system works brilliantly if properly set up, the achilles heal being that fuel pump, as pointed out in your video.

[@marksitaliangarage]

Yes The red car has just returned from its euro trip 5000 miles and is running strong. So yes they can be reliable. I will do another video when I can on the Lucas injection a bit more in-depth when the opportunity comes. I will be returning to the subject as I have to do some more tuning on one. Glad you are enjoying the channel .

[@christoph404]

@@marksitaliangarage thanks Mark, yep great channel, only recently discovered it.

[@maseraticc2834]

Thank you Mark I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the old Lucas system during my lunch hour - the benefit of working from home these days is I can enjoy KZbin and your productions at lunch time. A lovely tribute to the Queen to end with as well!

[@marksitaliangarage]

Good to hear that you enjoy the films and learning about new stuff . The Lucas injection system suffered from a miss understanding of how it operates and a lot of people replaced it with carburettors which was a shame. So I think it’s a good thing to explain how it works and to encourage people to stick with it. Yes I wanted to do something for the Queen . I love the idea that she might just remember how to gap the points in a Lucas distributor ! “ One must always set the points to fifteen thousandths of an inch !”

[@113036stat]

She`ll be missed! Thanks for that intro to Lucas injection!

[@marksitaliangarage]

Yes She will ! As will all of that generation who somehow keep us grounded with there dignity. I think it’s probably because of all that they have seen how humanity put itself back together again after the horror of the war. We need there guidance more than ever right now it seems. If the opportunity comes I will do a more in-depth film on the Lucas injection.

[@paulinhosedicias]

I’m working on a Mistral with the Lucas FI, it’s funny to hear when you say this fuel pump is alson known as “Bomb”! It’s funny because here in Brazil, we officially call fuel pump’s as “Bomba”, witch means bomb in english. I don’t know who first call fuel pump as “bomba” in portuguese, or the reason he or she did it so. 😂 That’s a mistery! 😂 Regards from Brazil!!

[@marksitaliangarage]

That’s cool to hear from Brazil ! Good luck with your Mistral such lovely cars. Enjoy the channel I hope it is useful for your work. All the best Mark

[@jamesbrown8908]

Thanks Mark, another pleasant Sunday morning.

[@marksitaliangarage]

It’s good to hear that you enjoy the films. We will keep on making them as there is plenty more work to document.

[@mrjones5182]

More Fiat 500 if possible Mark you explained the Brakes perfectly, Thanks

[@marksitaliangarage]

There will be more. But it’s all about what I am working on and what is in the workshop so it will have to wait until I have one in again. I do look after a few so the opportunity will come. I would love to do a comparison film on the 500 and 600 .

[@DK-wr6mq]

Mark, another very interesting video. :) The Mistrals were wonderful cars. I think my favorite Maserati is the 3500 GTi. And, what a nice tribute to the Queen. Very thoughtful and touching! Thank you Mark, Cheers!

[@marksitaliangarage]

Yes love the 3500 but it’s the A6G Frua for me also love the Zagato. Not to mention the 450s or a Bird Cage !

[@michaeljoiner2503]

Thanks Mark

[@lkkaz1]

Finally something on the Mistral Lucas PI system. It wasn’t a bad system once you got it sorted. I had more problems with the ignition then the metering. On the other hand, the 110 psig windshield washer motor pump was a PITA when temperatures reached 80F and it would vapor lock. Throttles are 48 or 50mm Webers if I recall correctly.

[@marksitaliangarage]

Just a quick overview of how it operates. Yes it’s a good system but as the control input is the manifold vacuum it is critical that the ignition is working properly. If the timing is retarded as the points wear or their is a misfire as the condenser fails (modern condensers are very unreliable) the fuel trim will be upset. Then the plugs foul and it just gets worse. Yes fuel boiling is a problem especially with modern ethanol fuel even on carburettor cars. I think even when new the Lucas bomb was trouble ! The system is really for racing so adapted for road conditions it is difficult to get a good mixture for everything that is required in the real world. But with good ignition it can work very well. I plan to do more work with the Lucas system to get the best out of it. I was looking at a Maserati 3500 at Goodwood on Friday that has been converted to EFI but I think it’s possible to get it working well without such an approach and keep it more how Maserati intended.

[@lkkaz1]

@@marksitaliangarage My problem was black smoke under load which I spent a year or so tweaking roller sizes to get the mixture sorted only to find that my solid core ignition wires were cross-firing. New wires sorted everything. I considered replacing the Lucas pump with a low pressure solid state pump in the boot to prevent vapor locking. Keep up the good work on the old Maseratis. They were great cars, I'd love to have our old 4 litre coupe back.

[@hirtundpartnerandreashirt9909]

Dear Mark we might have lost two metering and controll units in transit, would you be able to sell us two units?

[@marksitaliangarage]

Sorry I don’t have any stock. But there is one on eBay but I don’t know any more details.