Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I'm looking for ignition system options. Application is vintage racing
S4.

Crank fired ignition is not allowed, so I have to stay with a
dizzy. Electronic ignition systems are allowed as well as high output
coils, wires, etc.

I have a mechanical advance distributor that I plan on starting with.

I've have seen the Lumenition systems, which is of primary
interest. Anyone know of a US based distributor? Or failing that could
someone recommend a UK, preferably web-based, vendor that a system
could be sourced from?

I'm also aware of PerTronics which seems a likely candidate. They seem
to be in wide use even for street cars.

I also know Tony Thompson lists a system but have no specifics on it,
as the line item isn't very descriptive. Anyone know what it entails?

Any others that should be considered?

thanks,
fj..
--
The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender,
religion, economic status, or ethnic background, is that, deep down
inside, we all believe that we are above-average drivers.
-- Dave Berry

Franklin,

< I've have seen the Lumenition systems, which is of primary
interest. Anyone know of a US based distributor?>

Any of the ususal suspects, Dave Bean Eng., JAE, RD Enterprises (all
US based). Talk to any of them and they can surely help you out.

Mike Geiger


--- In ***@***.***, "Franklin R. Jones" <[email protected]>
wrote:

I'm looking for ignition system options. Application is vintage
racing

S4.

Crank fired ignition is not allowed, so I have to stay with a
dizzy. Electronic ignition systems are allowed as well as high
output

coils, wires, etc.

I have a mechanical advance distributor that I plan on starting
with.

I've have seen the Lumenition systems, which is of primary
interest. Anyone know of a US based distributor? Or failing that
could

someone recommend a UK, preferably web-based, vendor that a system
could be sourced from?

I'm also aware of PerTronics which seems a likely candidate. They
seem

to be in wide use even for street cars.

I also know Tony Thompson lists a system but have no specifics on
it,

as the line item isn't very descriptive. Anyone know what it
entails?

Any others that should be considered?

thanks,
fj..
--
The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age,
gender,

religion, economic status, or ethnic background, is that, deep down
inside, we all believe that we are above-average drivers.
-- Dave Berry

Mallory makes a dual point distributor that fits 1600cc Ford motors and
apparently (one lister here, and hopefully me someday has it) fits under
the webers. And what could be more classic than dual points?

Fred

actually I tell everyone I'm a lousy driver. If you see me coming, pull
off to the side of the road and let me by.
<snip>
thanks,
fj..
--
The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender,
religion, economic status, or ethnic background, is that, deep down
inside, we all believe that we are above-average drivers.
-- Dave Berry

Fred,

The Mallory looks like a nicely done piece. From looking at catalogs, I
worry about the upright cap; plug wires coming straight up from the dizzy,
rather than from the side. Has anyone used a Mallory on a Twin Cam? How did
it fit? Did the plug wires hit the carbs or head?

Rich Boyd

At 12:48 PM 12/31/2004, you wrote:

Mallory makes a dual point distributor that fits 1600cc Ford motors and
apparently (one lister here, and hopefully me someday has it) fits under
the webers. And what could be more classic than dual points?

Fred

There is a side entry cap option, along with a electronic replacement for
the points.


At 07:41 PM 12/31/2004 -0800, you wrote:

Fred,

The Mallory looks like a nicely done piece. From looking at catalogs, I
worry about the upright cap; plug wires coming straight up from the dizzy,
rather than from the side. Has anyone used a Mallory on a Twin Cam? How did
it fit? Did the plug wires hit the carbs or head?

This question of using a Mallory distributor seems to pop up periodically. It is listed for Ford Pinto 1600 applications.
I purchased a Mallory about 25 years ago to replace a worn Lucas distributor. It has the stack (upright) cap. I use cable boots that bring the cables out at 45 degrees rather than straight up..It clears fine with the Stromberg carbs. I don't know about Weber carbs.
The part no.of my distributor is 2558101 and it was listed for the Pinto 1600 at that time. It is a Mallory Type YL, adjustable advance with dual points. Looking at their current catalog, the distributor listed for the Pinto1600 is part no. 2358101 for dual points and 4558101 for Unilite (no points). I did a little investigation and found that a principal difference between the current listing and mine is the size. Mallory refers to the series 25 (mine) as a mini bowl with a smaller black cap compared to the series 23and 45 which have "standard" red caps.
I don't know what the current availability is of the series 25. They do offer a kit for converting the series 25 to Unilite (which I'm considering).
The series 23 and 45 might not fit under the carbs and I don't think a sideoutlet cap is available for these distributors.
So, anybody interested in using the Mallory would be advised to check on the availability of the series 25, either dual points or Unilite.
David, 72 Sprint DHC

----- Original Message -----
From: Richard Boyd
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Friday, December 31, 2004 7:41 PM
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] electronic igintion systems?


Fred,

The Mallory looks like a nicely done piece. From looking at catalogs, I
worry about the upright cap; plug wires coming straight up from the dizzy,
rather than from the side. Has anyone used a Mallory on a Twin Cam? How did
it fit? Did the plug wires hit the carbs or head?

Rich Boyd

At 12:48 PM 12/31/2004, you wrote:

Mallory makes a dual point distributor that fits 1600cc Ford motors and
apparently (one lister here, and hopefully me someday has it) fits under
the webers. And what could be more classic than dual points?

Fred

To search the mailing list archives:
http://www.escribe.com/automotive/europ ... index.html

-I was in contact w/ David on his Mallory install before proceeding
with my just completed Mallory Unlite install. Dave, many thanks.

I purchased the Unilite 2358101 w/ vacuum advance at a great close
out price but it would not clear the Stromberg manifold on my 69 S4.
After contacting Mallory's v. helpful tech dept, they recommended
fitting the minibowl dist cap that David used and removing the
vacuum advance can in order to reduce dist height. I sent my Unilite
back to Mallory who made the modifications for $65. They also
changed the stock dist springs to give more initial mach advance to
compensate for the lack of vacuum advance. I sourced a Formula Ford
clamping plate from Pegasus Racing and I used 90 Deg plug leads on
the dist cap. That resulted in sufficient clearance. Also used
Mallory coil designed for the Unilite with internal ballast.
I'm pleased with the install and switching to a modern dist with
avail springs, modern machining tolerance, sealed bearings and avail
replacement parts is a great comfort. I'll provide some tech data
after more running.
In hindsight, I think Dave has the right idea. Better to source the
Minibowl dist and convert to a Unilite module ($90) rather than go
my route. However,the savings on my Unilite plus the Mallory
conversion cost made it cost effective. I still have a servicable
Lucas 25D w. Pertronix, new cap & rotor to sell which will offset
my Mallory investment.
Rgds,
Phil Mitchell
San Jose CA.





-- In ***@***.***, "David Barnes" <[email protected]> wrote:

This question of using a Mallory distributor seems to pop up
periodically. It is listed for Ford Pinto 1600 applications.

I purchased a Mallory about 25 years ago to replace a worn Lucas
distributor. It has the stack (upright) cap. I use cable boots that

bring the cables out at 45 degrees rather than straight up..It
clears fine with the Stromberg carbs. I don't know about Weber carbs.

The part no.of my distributor is 2558101 and it was listed for the
Pinto 1600 at that time. It is a Mallory Type YL, adjustable advance

with dual points. Looking at their current catalog, the distributor
listed for the Pinto 1600 is part no. 2358101 for dual points and
4558101 for Unilite (no points). I did a little investigation and
found that a principal difference between the current listing and
mine is the size. Mallory refers to the series 25 (mine) as a mini
bowl with a smaller black cap compared to the series 23 and 45 which
have "standard" red caps.

I don't know what the current availability is of the series 25.
They do offer a kit for converting the series 25 to Unilite (which

I'm considering).

The series 23 and 45 might not fit under the carbs and I don't
think a side outlet cap is available for these distributors.

So, anybody interested in using the Mallory would be advised to
check on the availability of the series 25, either dual points or

Unilite.

David, 72 Sprint DHC

----- Original Message -----
From: Richard Boyd
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Friday, December 31, 2004 7:41 PM
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] electronic igintion systems?


Fred,

The Mallory looks like a nicely done piece. From looking at
catalogs, I

worry about the upright cap; plug wires coming straight up from
the dizzy,

rather than from the side. Has anyone used a Mallory on a Twin
Cam? How did

it fit? Did the plug wires hit the carbs or head?

Rich Boyd

At 12:48 PM 12/31/2004, you wrote:

>Mallory makes a dual point distributor that fits 1600cc Ford
motors and

>apparently (one lister here, and hopefully me someday has it)
fits under

>the webers. And what could be more classic than dual points?
>
>Fred







To search the mailing list archives:

http://www.escribe.com/automotive/europ ... index.html