Re: Looking for a points plate

[Glenn Merrell <gmerrel@domain.elided>]

Hello Henry,
	So what is your plan to tackle the electrical problem?  So far the advice has
ranged from buy new, don't buy new, repair the old harness.  I guess it is time
for my heypenny's worth.
	There are at least 4 harness and multiple combinations of main, facia and body
harness configurations that could be on your USA Stag.  Most likely, Rimmers
will only have the latest configuration for Right and Left Hand Steer models but
not for the USA models. This will limit your chances of locating a new correct
harness for fitting.  Once you determine the part numbers of the harness, it is
at least worth a call/fax/e-mail to ask if they stock it.    If you do decide to
start looking, there are two other places you might find the "right" harness. 
That is Eight Parts and Stag Specialists, both in Tuscon, Arizona.  It is
unlikely you will find a New Old Stock NOS Stag Harness anywhere else except by
chance.  First, take a look at the suspect wiring, chase the harness back until
you locate a part number tag (hopfully it still is intact).  That will at least
give you a starting point to order from.  
	Building a harness from scratch from BL schematics will be a crapshoot at best,
plus to do it properly, you will need spools of Lucas style wire of the proper
size and color codes.  There are auto electrical shops that have the ability to
custom fab any harness, or repair, to your specs.  Just pick up a Hemmings Motor
News and look under "Wiring" in the Services section, make some calls, ask for
references for other sources.  To do it properly, the shop will need the old
harness so they can get the lengths correct, the right bends, and wires popping
out of the right spot in the harness, with the right connectors.

The distributor issue and the electronic ignition module:  This is not your
first Triumph, surely you have used the services somewhere that has seen a
Lumenation unit.  The schematic must be around, instructions might be available
from another  person on the list who has the same unit to make a copy.  There is
a trouble shooting section in the Lucas instructions that enable you to trace
the problem to the module, sending unit, or coil.  If you decide to change to
points, order the parts from Rimmers to make up the parts you need.  But I'd
look for a copy of the Lucas instructions first (there is a Lucas web site
somewhere), and fix the harness problems before the distributor.  If you want to
slap in a distributor with points to test, let me know, mine will not be going
in for another couple of months, and I can ship it to you.

Start-n-die.  So how old is the gas in the tank?  How old is the gas in the
carbs?  How long did it sit before starting?  Is the fuel pump pumping any fuel,
and for how long?  It may need to be torn down and cleaned, flush out the fuel
lines and replace the fuel filter.  US gas loves to grow neat little green
crystal structures on brass needle valves when the gas sits too long, blocking
fuel flow.  Then there are the electrics, totally suspect to where there could
be an intermittent contact shutting down spark and/or fuel.  Lots of variables
there.  Again, take care of the harness first, then test circuits out one at a
time looking for faulty accessories that caused the shorted harness. 
Identifying the wire(s) melted will point you to the bad accessory(s) and
disconnecting them until you have tested each one.

Okay, shot my wad, your turn.

In My Humble Opinion, Yours for speculation!

Regards,
Glenn  Merrell
Triumph Stag Register USA VP
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