CAV is one of the names that diesel owners still see on older tractor, industrial and equipment fuel systems. The DPA rotary distributor family is especially recognizable, while BPE, BB, N, NN, BPF, TPF, AA and DP15 require more model-specific attention.
What the CAV and Lucas names tell you
Historical branding may appear as CAV, Lucas CAV or Lucas on certain related products. That connection helps with search and identification, but it does not make every Lucas and CAV part interchangeable.
Pump families in our reference
Search this family list: DPA, BPE, BB, N, NN, BPF, TPF, AA, DP15.
Cav Lucas history, identification and practical service questions
One Pump, Five Names: The CAV-to-PHINIA Family Tree
Here is a 130-year story, told the way we tell it over the parts counter.
- CAV (1892). Charles A. Vandervell started out building batteries in London and put his initials on the company. C.A.V. grew into one of Britain’s big names in diesel fuel injection.
- Lucas CAV (1926). Joseph Lucas Ltd bought CAV in 1926, and Bosch took a large stake. In 1931 the company was renamed CAV-Bosch for a stretch.
- LucasVarity (1996). Lucas merged with Varity, and the tags kept evolving.
- Delphi (2000). Delphi took over the diesel business, later running it as Delphi Technologies, which BorgWarner bought in 2020.
- PHINIA (2023). BorgWarner spun off PHINIA in July 2023, and PHINIA became the owner of the Delphi brand.
That is five names for one company, plus a famous in-law: Simms, which Lucas CAV took over in 1968, bringing the Minimec and SPE inline pumps into the family. Owners search all six names for the same pumps, and we answer to every one of them.
Did You Know? The CAV-Bosch years are why a vintage CAV BPE inline pump looks so much like a Bosch PE pump. They are not just look-alikes; they are cousins with the same family nose. If yours turns out to be a true Bosch, our Bosch page has you covered.
So what lands on our bench? Rotary pumps from Massey Ferguson, Ford and Perkins-powered machines. Delphi unit pumps from modern PACCAR-powered trucks. And the inline Simms and CAV pumps that still run tractors older than most of their owners.
How to Identify a Delphi, Lucas or CAV Pump
Trust the tag, not the paint. These pumps have been repainted, rebranded and re-tagged for decades, so the number tells you more than the name. Find the riveted plate or label on the pump body, then match the pattern.
| If the number looks like | You probably have |
|---|---|
| 3230F, 3233F, 3340F or 3342F (e.g. 3233F390) | CAV, Lucas or Delphi DPA rotary |
| 8920A, 8923A or 8925A | Delphi DP200 rotary |
| Delphi 9320A or Perkins 2644H | Delphi DP210 rotary |
| Delphi 9520A, Perkins 2644C, Cat 316-6964 or JCB 320/06 | Delphi DP310 rotary |
| PACCAR 1934322, 2034927, 2102391 or 1861200; Delphi EX551001; BEBU codes | F2P unit pump (PACCAR MX-13 or MX-11) |
| Simms P-number (e.g. P4666) | Simms Minimec inline |
| Type codes such as BPE6B90S, NL6E80 or AAL6A75 | Vintage CAV inline (BPE, N or AA) |
Owner’s Tip: Wipe the tag with a rag and a little degreaser, never a wire brush, then photograph it next to the engine’s own data plate. Attach both pictures to your repair inquiry and we can usually tell you what you have before you unbolt a thing.
Discussing Cav Lucas components by mail
For a DPA or another CAV family, send the complete pump number and engine details. The exact calibration and internal components depend on the application.
Ask About CAV / Lucas-CAV Pump Service: Start your repair inquiry
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