Distributors

[john o]

Can anyone tell if a Formula Ford 1.6L distributor is compatible with a Lotus twin cam? - Thanks - John

[saarhus]

John,

Your official choices are Autolite or Bosch. Bosch is preferred for its tighter tolerances. Either will work functionally, but would probably need the advance curve re-profiled. However, neither will probably work physically, due to the spark leads coming straight out. I don't know if a 90 degree angle distribute cap is available or not. Also, the Autolite body is larger than the Bosch(3.35" vs. 2.87"), which makes its physical clearance iffy, as well. This is all per the Pegasus catalog. I don't know if they are familiar with the TC Lucas type, but it may be worth a call. 1-800-688-6946.

I have no personal interest in Pegasus or any of the brands cited, blah, blah. etc. etc....

Stan

----- Original Message -----
From: John Oglesby
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Friday, May 21, 2004 11:42 PM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Distributors


Can anyone tell if a Formula Ford 1.6L distributor is compatible with a Lotus twin cam? - Thanks - John

[types26/36]

Bosch make (or used to make) a side entry dist.cap I got one from
Burtons U.K. a few years ago, I'm also told the cap from one of the
Renaults (side entry) will also fit.....can't remember which Renault
but could find out if interested.
Regards Brian.
64Elan/72Sprint/J.P.S.Europa

In ***@***.***, "Stan Aarhus" <saarhus@a...> wrote:
However, neither will probably work physically, due to the spark
leads coming straight out. I don't know if a 90 degree angle
distribute cap is available or not.

[john o]

I sent Pegasus Racing a question about the possibility of using one of their FF 1.6L distributors in a TC and this is the answer I received. - John


Hello,

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any information about the interchangeability of these distributors. The only information I have found is that both distributors are designed to rotate counter-clockwise. One page from the Lotus ?lan network (www.lotuselan.net/publish/twink_rebuild.shtml) mentions that the Ford Crossflow block (i.e., the Kent 1.6 block) can be used as a replacement for the twincam block. They do not say anything about compatibility issues or needing to change distributors, so I would believe that it should be a drop-in fit once the advance and cap are changed.

Although we do not have a source for a right-angle cap, our Bosch distributor (168-01-Stk) uses the same casing as a VW "009" Bosch distributor. I know that right-angle caps are available for that housing, probably from an aftermarket VW parts source like Rocky Mountain Motorworks.

I hope this information helps.

Thank you!

[steveww]

I have been told that a Bosch distributor can be fitted with only minor
tweeking.

All I have the the moment is that apart from the advance curve needing
to be set..... The collar where the clamp clamps needs to be machined
down to a smaller diameter. I am trying to find a model/part number for
which dizzy to use. The good news is that Bosch still make distributors.

John Oglesby wrote:

[rgh0]

--- In ***@***.***, Steve Waterworth <stevew@s...>
wrote:



I can confirm what you have been told as correct as I have a Bosch
distributor running in my Elan now. Unfortunately the guy who did the
conversion for me many years ago machined off the Bosch numbers for
the distributor body( part of his trade secrets I guess). It has a
side entry cap and has been machined in the lower body to fit the
clamp and had th advance curve set to suit the Elan. The shaft may
also have been machined to fit the drive gear but I cannot confirm
this without dismantling it.

Overall works much better than the original Lucas unit especially at
high revs and especially as spares are still avaiable.

I am racing this weekend so I dont want to pull it out now but if you
are prepared to wait a few weeks I am happy to pull it out and go to
the local Bosch distributor to determine what Bosch body it is.

Rohan

[Elan45]

I have a friend using a Bosch distributor on a Twink in his Lotus 23. The only issue I can see would be to get the angled cap, but then again, I'm happy with my old Lucas dizzy.

Roger




Hello,

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any information about the interchangeability of these distributors. The only information I have found is that both distributors are designed to rotate counter-clockwise. One page from the Lotus ?lan network (www.lotuselan.net/publish/twink_rebuild.shtml) mentions that the Ford Crossflow block (i.e., the Kent 1.6 block) can be used as a replacement for the twincam block. They do not say anything about compatibility issues or needing to change distributors, so I would believe that it should be a drop-in fit once the advance and cap are changed.

Although we do not have a source for a right-angle cap, our Bosch distributor (168-01-Stk) uses the same casing as a VW "009" Bosch distributor. I know that right-angle caps are available for that housing, probably from an aftermarket VW parts source like Rocky Mountain Motorworks.

I hope this information helps.

Thank you!




















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[steveww]

I think it would be useful for the entire Lotus community to know about
the Bosch distributor. Lucas no longer make them and there can only so
many good parts out there.

I have heard of so many people spending great time and effort not to
mention cash on their engines only to slap in the old Lucas dizzy...
Ignition scatter, as happens with worn out dizzys, can cost 5bhp easy.
Sadly this is a component that is all too often overlooked.

Rohan Hodges wrote:

[Fred Talmadge]

Another option I looked at briefly but never finished is the Mallory dual
point distributor. It can be converted to electronic, has a side entry cap,
and is fully adjustable. Designed for 1600cc Ford Pinto, should fit the
twink block and cam, but it is suppose to be a taller unit and I was unable
to get dimensions. It's a quality product and would be nice if it fits.
This is their web site where you can dl a catalog
http://go.mrgasket.com/Brands.aspx?Bran ... election=9

Fred T '65 S2

[davidallen]

In the UK, some of the later (MK5) Escorts were fitted with the Valencia
engine. This was the old Crossflow rebadged, but fitted with electronic
ignition totally contained in the dizzy.

This fits straight into a Crossflow (I have one fitted in my Sylva Stylus)
so I would guess it would also fit the twin cam. Fiat provides a side entry
cap to clear the Webers.

I don't know about the advance curve, but next time you are roaming the
scrap yard and see an old Escort, have a look. Mine cost ?15!

David

-----Original Message-----
From: Fred Talmadge [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2004 3:44 PM
To: ***@***.***
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] Distributors


Another option I looked at briefly but never finished is the Mallory dual
point distributor. It can be converted to electronic, has a side entry cap,
and is fully adjustable. Designed for 1600cc Ford Pinto, should fit the
twink block and cam, but it is suppose to be a taller unit and I was unable
to get dimensions. It's a quality product and would be nice if it fits.
This is their web site where you can dl a catalog
http://go.mrgasket.com/Brands.aspx?Bran ... election=9

Fred T '65 S2

















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[daves56]

I've been following this thread for several days now. I have a 69' +2
federal model, the dizzy does not have a vacuum advance and when I tried
setting it up last I was only able to get about 12 degrees mechanical
advance. The engine acceleration is not what I would expect and I wonder
if a large part of the problem might be the distributor. I don't have
serious scatter, and the overall engine runs fine but I'm thinking that
perhaps a PO installed a non-Lotus dizzy. Does anyone else have one
without a vacuum advance?

Thanks,

Dave Sutcliffe





-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Waterworth [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2004 9:02 AM
To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Distributors



I think it would be useful for the entire Lotus community to know about
the Bosch distributor. Lucas no longer make them and there can only so
many good parts out there.

I have heard of so many people spending great time and effort not to
mention cash on their engines only to slap in the old Lucas dizzy...
Ignition scatter, as happens with worn out dizzys, can cost 5bhp easy.
Sadly this is a component that is all too often overlooked.

Rohan Hodges wrote:

[steveww]

AFAIK all the engines did not have vacuum advance. The Federal cars only
had limited advance, if you have the 41225 then that only gives 19
degree max advance.

It is a simple job to pull out the distributor and get it on the bench
to check for any worn/loose parts. Don't forget that any play at the
distributor is multiplied by 2 for engine timing. Remove the plate and
check that the weights are free to move and all is in god condition.
There are moving parts down there, you have remembered to feed them some
oil?

Sutcliffe, David wrote:

[dlbarnes1]

I've been using this Mallory distributor (typeYL, dual point, adjustable advance) on my Elan for years, ever since I decided not to fuss with maintaining the Lucas distributor any longer. Dimensionally, it fits fine. A clamping plate from a Pinto 1600 is all that is necessary to adapt it. Use the Mallory coil and resister with it. I don't think I would opt for the electronic conversion.
David - 72 Sprint DHC

----- Original Message -----
From: Fred Talmadge
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2004 7:44 AM
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] Distributors


Another option I looked at briefly but never finished is the Mallory dual
point distributor. It can be converted to electronic, has a side entry cap,
and is fully adjustable. Designed for 1600cc Ford Pinto, should fit the
twink block and cam, but it is suppose to be a taller unit and I was unable
to get dimensions. It's a quality product and would be nice if it fits.
This is their web site where you can dl a catalog
http://go.mrgasket.com/Brands.aspx?Bran ... election=9

Fred T '65 S2

[rgh0]

--- In ***@***.***, Steve Waterworth <stevew@s...>
wrote:



Steve

I will pull my Bosch distributor out in a couple of weeks and
identify and put on the list all the relevant Bosch part numbers. I
will also try to quantify the modifications needed in terms of
distributor body machining to accomodate the drive gear and standard
mounting arrangements.

Long term this Bosch conversion, a Mallory conversion or going to a
crank trigger arrangement are going to be the options as Lucas parts
get scarce unless someone starts remaking Lucas components, which
they my given the installed equipment base in old cars.

Rohan