[Lynn Eades]

Mark, What state is your Lucas distributor in?
The hard bit to find seems to be the rotor.
I am told they are good distributors. The two sets of points are common with other early Lucas distributors.
Put a timing light on it as it is and check that the advance mechanism is working.
The British distributor is set up on a timing jig like the two American ones, so normally no timing mark.
Someone may have put a timing mark on it. If they did it must line up with something. (a pointer of some sort)
This is best set up when the heads are off. (TDC can be established when the two front pistons are equi distant down the bores)
There are calibrated timing marks (2 degree increments???) on the (Lucas/ British)distributor body at the mounting face, and hopefully an index mark on the timing cover.
Unlike the American distributor, you can rotate the Lucas one as it has slotted mounting holes.
You maybe be able to buy a module to fit your distributor?
Whatever type dizzy you use, you will need a suitable module to match your voltage (12?) and polarity (-ive or +ive earth)
I recommend you buy a coil that matches the module. (correct resistance)
I also recommend you buy set of resistor leads to suit (you are not supposed to use copper) (I bought leads with spiral wound stainless)
The advantage of the crab would be the room to work in.
A timing cover change will be required.
The Ford v8 comes with two different cam shafts early is long nosed and late is short nosed. There are adapters available for between the cam and dist. drive, and also to space the dist. body out.
I cannot remember if the British distributor is long or short, so you might need an adapter?
Last thing I can think of is that there are subtle differences in the HT conduits for each distributor type. (two leads cross over the top of the engine with the crab)
War time fuel was 68 octane it is now 91 to 98. Timing settings are not the same any more.
That lot should give you a bit to think about.