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The Lucas 23 distributor is the older model that preceded the type 25. The major difference is that the Type 23 has a smaller "head" that squeezes the plug wire terminals down into a smaller diameter circle. The net effect is that the plug wire terminals are closer together on the Type 23, and further apart on the Type 25.

The Type 23 can NOT handle high arc voltage. If you use a "hot", high performance ignition coil with a little Type 23 distributor, the spark will simply jump between the plug wire terminals "Inside" the distributor cap, and the arc will never make it to the spark plugs. And more voltage/ more spark will not help, it will only make matters worse!

The Type 23 distributor should be used with ignition coils that have about 3.6-3.7 ohms of internal resistance. To measure that, remove the small 12 volt wires from the coil's small spade terminals on either side of the main coil wire terminal. Then use an Ohmmeter/ multi-meter to measure the primary field coil resistance with the ignition switch "on". You want to see 3.5-3.7 ohms, and you might stretch that to 2.75-3.5 ohms. There are several coils in the "FlameThrower" product line, but you're probably going to see much lower primary resistances across the entire "FlameThrower" product line compared to the "normal", Period-correct coils... on the order of 1.5-2.75 ohms lower resistance (higher current). That's too much current for a Type 23 Lucas distributor, and there's nothing you can do to the Type 23 to change that. You've got what you've got!!

The higher current flows through the entire ignition system's wiring, and will put the entire ignition system at risk of overe-heating/ burning out!! Even if you're using a Pertronix amplifier. The early, original Pertronix "Ignitor" Was little more than a "Points Replacer", and was not rated for any more current. Push more current thru it with a modern high-performance coil, and you can (will) turn the original "Ignitor" into a lump of coal.

If you wish to run a high performance coil with your ignition system, then the ENTIRE system MUST be designed & built to handle the higher current draw that will be running through it. The Lucas Type 23 distributor is NOT DESIGNED TO RUN WITH / HANDLE HIGH CURRENT / HIGH PERFORMANCE COILS. Period!

The Type 23 & Type 25 distributors' bases are the same... the distributors are interchangeable into the engine's "distributor drive". You can simply plug in a replacement Type 25 Lucas distributor, or even a modern Thpe 123 distributor. But you cannot massage the Type 23 into something it's not.

I'm using Stock(ish) Type 25 distributors with different 'internals'... like aftermarket electronic ignition systems. I'm not a fan of Pertronix ignition systems, and I'm not using any of them. Having said that, a friend is running a Pertronix 123 and likes it. But, the Lucas 123 will not work in a Lucas Type "23", so it's also no help to you. Your Type 23 IS YOUR LIMITER. IF you want to go with a hotter ignition system, then your first step will be to upgrade from there... install a later, high-performance distribuor, along with an electronic ignition system that the distrubutor can handle, and that can handel the HOT coil of your choice. It's not a free ride... you have to make a "balanced" selection of components to build a "System" that will work togetheer. How much coil you can use will be a function of what you upgrade your distributor/ system to.

The O-ring and the internal lip-seal upgrade only keep the distributor from leaking oil and making a mess. Whether you use a mild manered Type 23, or a hot Type 25 or Type 123, the seals need to be there.

Which brings up another point. The modern Lucas 123 does not include the internal lip seal that is critical in order for the distributor to run leak-free in a horizontal position. The lip seal can be added with a minimum of machining, but that would be up to you or your retailer... the manufacturer of the Lucas 123 does not, AND WILL NOT include the internal lip seal. It's not an OEM option.

Regards,
Tim Engel



01/01/2025 3:24 PM PST ZenHorizon via groups.io <zenhorizon@...> wrote: