Brad I think you might find this link very useful.
 
http://www.s262612653.websitehome.co.uk/DVAndrews/dellorto.htm
 
 

Brad,
what series and size are your dellortos?
check the letter stamp on top of the carbs.

Will have a quick look this morning before I get to work, I've been slowly gettin it apart over the last week, took me like an hour and a a half just to get the brake booster off.. What a pain.

The van will be used for a once or twice a week driver plus some cruising on weekends when weather permits. I like the look of the side draft carbs on the car, coupled with a nice set of extractors the induction sound alone is enough, was just looking for all options.

Engine mods will be converting to unleaded and possible the next level
Cam the FR 32?

Again thanks for all the info it's been good reading

Had a quick scan this morning, still a bit dark in the shed, they are 40's DLHA, couldn't find the letter stamped on the top of them, will have a better look this afternoon.

Cheers
BT

Should look something like this Brad.
if they are anything but C, E or no prefix, then they are emission type carbs.
if there is no letter then that is good. means there definitely not emissions and you can use the link provided for some close jetting recommendations.

Aha, now I know what I am looking for, I'm heading back out to the shed... Shall return with the news!

As someone who has (and had) Escort 2Lts with standard 32/36DGAV, 38/38DGMS, Twin 40DHLA and Twin 45DCOE, I can tell you the difference... As you go up that carby range, your fuel economy drops and tuning issue get more complex, but power rises (assuming it is all dyned correctly as most twin setups are not done well...)
For a good all round road car with the odd bit of competition occasionally, I would suggest the 38/38DGAS. You will notice a minor increase in fuel consumption, but also a good increase in mid range torque and power, and combined with a compression rise and extractors, you should see 15-20ish % (I think 30% is a little optimistic...). I can get 35mpg with all the above carby setups on a long fwy cruise, but if you more than tickle the throttle on either of the twin setups (which you do do...) then mpg drops rather quickly, especially with twin 45's... Also for twins you really need a cam to get the most out of them... But that is a different story altogether...

Yeah I'm still undecided what I'd like to do, just had a look and mine are stamped with a "H" so I'm guessing that is the emissions ones you were referring to Gaz.

I really do want reliability but... There is a but... The twins look bloody gorgeous tucked in there and sound even better but jeez did they suck the fuel.

Anyways I'm still looking it's a long way off til I actually get anything done to the engine and induction set up. But just looking at all sides of the scenario.

Yep they're emissions alright.
they were originally factory fitted on some 2L alfas so will work on an escort fine, especially if your escort is pretty standard. the trouble will be if you start modifying, then the carbs wont be very tunable. here is some quick reading for you. http://2108.lviv.ua/archives/dellorto-dhla-40-universal-performance-112.html
 
an emission carbs works differently to a standard DHLA or DCOE carb and cant be tuned the same.
the thing with emissions carbs is that you don't want to go changing emulsion tubes. emissions carbs are designed with specific emulsion tubes and they don't take kindly to being changed but they work well as standard and will give good economy.
I had DHLA 40G dellortos on my car for a while, although not very long. these are emissions carbs and I ran them on a pretty modified pinto. it ran super lean most of the time and I ended up with 70 idle jets just to get the mixtures somewhere close.
you should probably start by looking at the jets that you have in there, and then a rolling road session is invaluable to look at mixtures and where you can cut down a bit if you are looking to improve economy.
the standard jets for a 2L alfa that these come factory on are 32mm choke 150 or148mains 55 or 58idles, 210 air correctors and 40pumps, depending on the model.
 
good luck.