Bespoke Holden Grey Dual Coil Racing Distributor

Holden Grey six cylinder dual coil distributor development and final rig testing completed this week.  This distributor uses a 3 lobe points cam custom ground for Vintage Racing Developments by Clive Cams in Victoria.  An additional coil lead post resides in the distributor cap to communicate to the secondary circuit on the dual rotor button track.  This design uses 2 completely electrically independent circuits and two ignition coils, such that each coil only serves 3 engine cylinders and accordingly has very desirable dwell/charge soak behaviour for retention of spark energy at higher RPM.

The ultimate points-triggered battery/coil distributor for use in CAMS historic classes that must retain points triggering.  Dwell for each 3 cylinder circuit in this distributor is in the region of 56 degrees (compared to circa 38 degrees for a standard single point/single circuit/single coil/6 lobe cam six cylinder distributor).  Six cylinder analogue to 4 lobe cam L34 Torana dual coil distributor.

LUMENITION Electronic Kit to Holden Grey Distributor

Some pictures of recently manufactured small bespoke adaptor plate used to fit English-made "LUMENITION" P/N OS50 eye and chopper to original Holden Grey Motor BOSCH distributor.  LUMENITION make many kits to fit the generic OS50 eye (which is the trigger component of the wider LUMENITION system) to a large range of distributors (but not this one...)

Holden Grey BOSCH Hybrid HEI Electronic Distributor

This distributor is a development that along with modified internals marries the top half of a BOSCH electronic HEI distributor with the lower half of an original cast iron BOSCH Holden Grey Motor points type distributor.  Uses original BOSCH control module (which is usually mounted on the integral "balcony" on the side of the electronic distributor housing) but is now remote mounted for use with the hybrid distributor.  Remote mounting is primarily for packaging reasons, but also has the advantage of removing the module from close proximity to direct engine heat and vibration.  Companion low resistance coil is used and distributor provides variable/active dwell control and high energy spark.

Allows use of 0.060" plug gaps and provides a fully functional true electronic bolt-on HEI system for Grey Holden engines.  Not to be confused with simply fitting an "electronic points" module to a standard distributor which maintains an essentially fixed dwell and points type coil.

Ignition package is for customer in NSW running Holden Grey engined nostalgia drag car.

Modified Holden Grey Distributors

Two more cast iron BOSCH Holden Grey engine distributors off to customers in Western Australia this week.  Both re-curved to suit customers' supplied engine specifications.  Single point unit has typical 6 cylinder 38 degrees dwell and dual point has 48 degrees dwell.  Both retain these dwell readings to beyond 7000 crankshaft RPM under rig test.  Both units have vacuum advance deleted and fixed breaker plate assemblies.

Dual Point Conversion for Group Lb Special

Recently completed dual point conversion and re-curve of BOSCH distributor for use on Group Lb historic MG-based special.  Distributor has advance curve tailored to engine, circa 50 degrees dwell and consistent dwell behaviour beyond 7000 crank RPM.  Some details of the car and pictures of completed distributor below.  Vehicle is based in South Australia. 

1947 MG TC Holden Square Rigger

Background

The car has the following summary technical specification:

1947 MG TC – (original engine number XPAG 3306, chassis number TC2675)

• Registered Number Victoria RZ 685

• Square rigger style T series MG body.

• Cycle front guards.

• Fitted with a modified Holden Grey engine in the 1950’s with triple SU’s and other engine and mechanical modifications (unknown if any competition history).

• Fitted with both 16” and 15” x 5” wheels in the period up to 1965.

• Hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers and axle restraints front and rear.

• Holden grey banjo differential centre and modified axles in TC rear axle housing.

• Cut down Morris Minor rack operating as a steering box across to the original position LHS steering arm (common modification in the era).

• Larger twin leading shoe 10” x 2 ¼” front brakes in one off cast iron finned brake drums.

• Modified finned Monaro Motors 9” MG TC rear brakes.

Competition History

The car was built in the 1950’s as a MG Holden (triple SU’s and modified engine) with modified front brakes, telescopic shock absorbers etc, The car has a confirmed ownership from 1959 and an identified racing history in the period 1963 to 1965:

• Used as a road car from 1959 to 1963 by Vern Barlow in Victoria as a grey Holden engined MG TC special (triple SU’s, modifications, etc).

• Sold to Peter Mahony in 1963 in Victoria (entered under BP Heidelberg).

  • Competed at Lakeland hillclimb, Calder and Templestow hillclimb.

• Sold on then to Rod Cooper, Victoria (entered under SAAS) at some point in late 1964.

  • Competed at Lakeland hillclimb, Calder and Hume Weir.

• The subsequent ownership history is unknown until 2013.  No history of competition has been confirmed before and beyond the dates above, and its competition history appears to have ended in 1965, due to the car quickly becoming uncompetitive. 

• The car was then in storage in a semi disassembled state since 1966.

• The car is currently under restoration to Group Lb specifications in its early 1960’s configuration since 2014.

Engine Specifications:

The following are the key specifications in progress:

•  EJ Block. (early low number block)

• Capacity 2350cc (thin wall sleeved).

• Main bearing straps and girdle.

• Vauxhall E Model crank (stroked to 3 1/8”). – MGB main bearings / modified rear seal arrangement.

• Mitsubishi Starion con rods and bearings.

• Lightweight billet flywheel (8kg), Holden heavy duty 8.5” single plate clutch assembly.

• Ross balancer.

• JE 3 ring domed pistons (21mm gudgeon diameter).

• Modified water pump and head outlets.

• Vintage Racing Developments special twin point distributor.

• Modified camshaft grind – approximately 235 degrees @ 0.050” and 0.3” cam lift.

• Modified head with 1.48” and 1.25”’ valve sizes and relieved chambers – LS1 beehive springs.

• 1.7:1 rocker ratio.

• 10.5:1 compression ratio.

• Triple 30 degree SU 1 ½” (internally modified) on 1960’s Sonic short inlet manifold and common cold air plenum chamber with rolled edge short ram tubes.

• One off exhaust manifold – 1 3/8” primaries, 1 5/8” secondaries into a 2 ¼” system.