dfifferent distributors

[tonyabacus]

Does anyone have the measurements for the Lucas 23D4 and 45D4 distributors.

I note that both were fitted to the twin cam, but wondered what the overall length is including distributor cap. Getting at the cap appears to be easier with the 23D4 so why did Lotus make the change from one to the other, and is one slightly longer than the other in total length including the gear, or is body slightly different in lengthe?
Tony

[richardcox_lotus]

Tony, in service I think they were always 23’s and only after production ended, and 45s were the then ‘current’ Lucas offering, were switchovers made. Yes, the 45s are taller and more awkward but I no longer have a 23 to compare.

Regards
Richard

[vstibbard]

The 25’s were Lotus replacement parts only, in early 80’s when restoring my first Elan, Len St supplied one to me.
In Australia a common conversion uses the Bosch distributor used on pinto’s, I think there some basic machining required to reduce the length. This distributor has better bearings and advance mechanism. Range of top and side entry caps are available.
I use these in race engines with roller bearings fitted.
From memory the company in Melbourne is Performance Ignitions, Rohan may have more information to add.
Vaughan

[rgh0]

The Australian assembled 70's Escorts used a Bosch distributor which was a straight drop in replacement after changing the advance curve and fitting a side entry cap and deleting the vacuum advance. Performance Igniton supplied racing versions either using the original case or a billet case with roller bearings fitted. Unfortunately the guy running the company retired many years ago and it has shutdown. You could fit 911S points to the distributor and it was good for 9000 rpm plus. You cant get the original 911S points new these days but new old stock comes up on Ebay from time to time. The GB700 points are the same except for a weaker spring and these are still available so its possible to modify these and fit the stronger spring from the 911S ones

cheers
Rohan

[2cams70]

I've never come across an Australian Escort fitted at the factory with a Bosch distributor. They were all fitted with either Autolite (Ford's own brand) or locally manufactured Lucas distributors. The Bosch so called 009 distributor was fitted by Ford to Kent series engines in the UK when it was installed in early front wheel drive Fiestas. So if you are in the UK and can find a scrap Kent series engined Mk1 Fiesta you may be in luck. I'm not sure about the situation in the USA. Early Fiesta were never imported by Ford to Australia. We had the Mazda based Ford Laser instead. The Pinto OHC series Ford engine is something totally different and nothing out of that will fit a Kent block series engine (i.e the engine family we all know and love which includes the LTC).

[rgh0]

I was told by Ignition Developments when i bought them back in the 80's it was sourced from Kent engined Escorts, Maybe he was buying them out of UK or Germany if they were not fitted in Australia. You can still buy them on places like Autodoc in the UK

BOSCH 0 986 237 006 Ignition distributor FORD ESCORT, CAPRI

https://www.autodoc.parts/bosch/7290385


cheers
Rohan