I had an old Lucas Starter Solenoid go west on me a little while back, and so I sought out a new one to replace it. I picked up a "Lucas" branded solenoid in new in the box and installed it a few weeks later. After a very short amount of time (especially given the limited opportunities I have had to drive the car) the solenoid has again failed. This solenoid is available from all the mini websites, and appears to be sold in identical packaging

Now I know that there are a number of cheap chinese solenoids available, and that they are intrinsically unreliable, however I thought I may have a certain amount of trust in a Lucas branded solenoid. The question is, if I am after a new solenoid, where is the best place to find a reliable Lucas solenoid?

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

I would look for one of the Lucas NOS parts sellers. There are a few if you search.

Anthony Pearson is based in S.A. and regularly has a stall at Bendigo and Ballarat Swap Meets. He usually stocks a lot of NOS Lucas parts.

http://www.classicandvintagebulbs.com/

Also Danny & Sandra Lee located in Hallam, Vic.

http://www.oldlucas.com.au/

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

Sometimes I think you're better off just buying used bits from a Mini specialist. I've never had one fail and you can probably pick an old one up for not much....

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67 Deluxe
Dry suspension
1293cc, 11:1 comp, RE 282 camshaft, 45 Weber, extractors etc
4 synchro close ratio gbox
Cooper S brakes, no booster
Stealth box, as Doc says "goes harder and idles!"
RH tank cos I needed it crossing the Nullarbor etc..

Which type was it? Mk1 push button or Mk2 / Clubby

Thanks all, it was the the later Mk2/Clubby style. Deluxe, you're right. I don't think I've ever killed an original one, but I got caught up in the pretty new plating look of the replacement solenoids in the nice packaging...ha ha

I'll take a look at the NOS sources, thanks Doug.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

gtogreen,

Mate, none of my Mk 1's had the push button. Think maybe that was a really early feature? Where do you live Mick? Here in Melbourne there's a few places with good 2nd hand bits...

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67 Deluxe
Dry suspension
1293cc, 11:1 comp, RE 282 camshaft, 45 Weber, extractors etc
4 synchro close ratio gbox
Cooper S brakes, no booster
Stealth box, as Doc says "goes harder and idles!"
RH tank cos I needed it crossing the Nullarbor etc..

I'm up in Sydney. Usually I would have a few spare old ones as well. Alas I have reduced my spares pile considerably

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Bugger. I swapped over an original MK1 push button dated 1964 that was working properly only because my car was supposed to have the later style. I might have to keep the old one just incase.