Hi all,

I am swapping the engine of my series III, it originally had a 2.25 diesel which I’m replacing for a 2.5L petrol from a defender 90. Reason that it only has 45 kW and it needs a complete overhaul.
I am good on track, the old engine is out, and I am putting the last bits and pieces of the 2.5L petrol together before I install it.

Now the thing is: I am a bit stuck on the distributor. The 2.5L originally came with either a Ducelier or a Lucas distributor.

-I am wondering if these distributors are interchangeable?
-Does anyone know how you determine which distributor to fits your engine block?

The block (no 17H09…) came with a Ducelier but the engine also came fitted with the wrong receiver and exhaust manifold (2.25 petrol) so I don’t thrust that it is the right one.
Further I want to install an electronic distributor, I’ve compared the replacement model for the Ducelier and the Lucas (see pictures) and they are almost the same, so very hard to determine the right one.

Thanks for the help!

Joris

The Lucas 45D4 and the Ducellier are interchangeable on the 17H engine. I think the 17H came from the factory with a Ducellier - the workshop manual says Lucas, but the parts catalogue shows Ducellier!
They have effectively the same settings in terms of centrifugal and vacuum advance so you should be ok to use either.
Electronic ignition is always a good idea unless you can find original quality points and capacitors.