Hot rod Lincoln.......

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Heres a interesting one from todays work load. Customer lincoln unit froms days gone by for a 33-34 Ford period flathead.
Look over the pics as i find this a period speed trick used during the day.
Unit runs two sets of contacts each firing 4 cylinders etc. This would give you a better coil saturation and hotter spark at higher rpm.
I ran this one with dual coils at 6000 rpm for a few minutes and it seems to just keep on sparking...........

 

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Contacts had to be synced with the distributor machine and you can see how much it was off before adjusting.......

 

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Final pics :

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

There were several commercial LZ conversions and many home-mades. Some of the companies (I think WH in its earliest days?) even sold a kit, and Dean Moon did a how-to in Car Craft about '53-4 with templates and everything. I have several different ones, with two different systems for phasing correction and a considerable variety of point systems. Most used the 78 point plate like yours...if yours has the brass strips soldered onto caps, that and the plate and the magneto points point to Moon.
Only one of the conversions I have did the logical thing and kept the adjustable LZ point plate...that allowed the point sets to be set first for dwell, then the split plates adjusted to fully synchronize/correct timing.
I have a semi-modern part number for those points, and once posted a list on here of all the crossovers to various small engine companies including even a Harley industrial chug...nearly went blind poring over lawnmower and cement mixer lists.
These things are beyond cool, and are very good looking with all the bakelite polished up on coils and caps...
I discovered that maybe half the LZ distributors out there in flea markets were V8 conversions, usually unbeknownst to the seller!

 

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Bruce ,

Thanks for the info , this one is a home brew for sure and i found myself asking why many times during the rebuild. Why do all this work etc ?
When i do this i pretend it was 1934 etc and what was available.? Then it starts to make sense this would give you better coil saturation ( needed for higher rpm) and give you an advantage using the flathead v8 etc.

Then i find myself sitting at a old dirt track in 1963 watching jalopys come off the turns with a flathead or a six cylinder. (rules were only pre 53 engines) Maybe one of those was using one of these distributors to cheat a little bit ????
That flathead sound is still there today.......three pipes makes the sound.....Who knows ???

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

Coils were the limiting factor...the regualar Ford Mallory patent system of 1932 was a triumph of sorts as it was adequate for the stock flathead without the expense of dual coils, which most other engines with more than 6 cylinders needed.
The LZ was almost standard of racing flatheads for a while.

 

[Russ/40]

Totally off subject, but I like your "ballpeen" in photo 3. Neat old tool.

 

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Totally off subject, but I like your "ballpeen" in photo 3. Neat old tool.

Its addictiive !
A friend that does our machine work bought one on ebay ( called a "perfect hammer " and they made screw drivers as well) and i used it one day and thought it was cool.
I bought one on ebay the next week etc. I use it every day , most practical tool i ever owned . You can beats with it from every direction .

 

[Fordestes]

I want to thank you for all the neat posts, I have spent many years as a diesel mechanic and have lost out a little on gasoline ign. I am the one you helped with the pulse amplifier.In order to use grandpa's old sun 14o dist. tester I done as you said and believe me it works! you helped me turn a useless piece of junk into something useful, it may not be accurate , but atleast I can tell if some of the old used distributors even work without the hassle of installing them, I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner and let you know I certainly do appreciate your help.you also saved me from being ripped off on a high dollar amp system that costs more than what I have in the unit.
Keep the river of knowledge flowing.
Many thanks!
D.R. Estes

 

[hellmet]

Still waiting to send my lincoln to you. Building my new motor still so its ready it will go to you.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

The contact set for the one disassembled here, used by Moon and many others and also used by HC in its 21A type dual points is a Bendix Scintilla, original number 10-52344W. Used to be Echlin CS 1000, but no longer available. If the post can be found on the old barn, I listed out many crossovers for many small engine applications. Fits lots of elderly outboards and cement mixers and stuff, so likely still available without resorting to Ebay.
Take a look at the distributor just posted. Ever see one with maroon plastic and original coils all polished?? Amazing piece of sculpture.