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Anybody using Mallory Distributor??

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Old Oct 2, 2007 | 10:37 AM
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Default Anybody using Mallory Distributor??

Just curious if anybody is using this mallory style distributor. I'm having some timing issues right now and i'm considering upgrading to something like this.
Anybody know how you hook it up to the wiring-it says three wire connection, but i am not sure where you splice it in and if you need to bypass the ballast resistor.
thanks
Here is the link
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...1&dept_id=1782
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Old Oct 2, 2007 | 10:54 AM
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I have one in both my 61 and my 65. You can count on the module blowing out every 5 to 7 years and leaving you stranded. I always carry an extra with me. It runs fine otherwise but these modules are $120 apiece I would find an alternative if I had it to to over again.
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Old Oct 2, 2007 | 10:59 AM
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I ran one for about three years with no problems. The exact one that you have shown. You will hear from everyone that your car will overheat because of the lack of vacuum advance etc.. etc... I never had that, I did however have my timing set to 14 initial with it all in 36 at 3000. It worked great. I have a stock dizzy in there now with a Mallory unilite kit under it and have not had any issue with it either. I like that dizzy and have it as my spare on the shelf. Just be prepared for the wrath that it's Ricer boy speed racer crap... It will work though... Dave
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Old Oct 2, 2007 | 11:46 AM
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My brother ran one on his 69 for about 5 years. It was principally an autocross car and in that application it worked great! But without vacuum advance it did not run so well at part throttle. When he gave up racing and started to use the car for cruising, he was unhappy with it. The car seemed to run rich (unburned fuel from insufficient advance at part throttle). We replaced it with a stock vacuum advance distributor and he is much happier now.
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Old Oct 2, 2007 | 01:22 PM
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Pretty simple, Brown goes to Ground, Green goes to the Negative side of the Coil, and Red goes to the Ignition side of the Ballast Resistor. Do yourself a favor and install the Circuit Guard. Most module failures are caused by voltage spikes (worn alternator brushes, corroded connections). I've spent a lot of time with this distributor and they are solid as a rock once set up "properly". If you need more info, send me a PM and I'll get you copies of my tuning curves, etc.

As for the down side of no vacuum advance, I will order a standard Vacuum Advance Unilite distributor to test (will get a tach feed from the MSD, been wanting an old school Sun on the column anyway). My "expectation" is better mileage (don't care), cooler running (runs at 180 to 210 depending, so don't care), better throttle response (this would sell me). I am not holding my breath for any of these to manifest themselves to the degree you hear propagated. But, smarter guys than me say it makes a difference, and what the hell, it's just another day of tuning a distributor, could be worse!
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Old Oct 2, 2007 | 01:38 PM
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What are the timing issues CS? Has your distributor been rebuilt and shimmed to the correct axial play. Also using the HP style points will help greatly. The stock units are good to over 7K when set up correctly.
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Old Oct 2, 2007 | 01:46 PM
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Default Mallory Dist - Go with MSD

I ran a couple of mallory's for several years and if you ever charge your battery with out disconnecting the distributor connection, you will weaken and possibly blow the module.

Go with MSD - much better product, easier to change the initial timing, final timing, and ramp rate from initial to final.

MSD is the way to go - they also have numerous other componets to go along with the distributor.

SAS
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Old Oct 2, 2007 | 03:11 PM
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Default MSD tach drive over Mallory Unilite

The module on my Mallory Unilite blew. Mallory said I had a bad ground. Checked my connections and had no problems. Went w/ MSD tach drive and 6al box. 7 years later, good to go...
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Old Oct 2, 2007 | 03:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Scott Marzahl
What are the timing issues CS? Has your distributor been rebuilt and shimmed to the correct axial play. Also using the HP style points will help greatly. The stock units are good to over 7K when set up correctly.
Im with Scott. A blueprinted Delco w. Hd points , a quality cap & rotor is a hot setup.

Last edited by Donald #31176; Oct 2, 2007 at 04:29 PM.
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Old Oct 2, 2007 | 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Donald #31176
I with Scott. A blueprinted Delco w. Hd points , a quality cap & rotor is a hot setup.
I don't understand the rationale for NOT having a vacuum-advance distributor; vacuum advance improves idle stability, idle and low-speed traffic cooling, throttle response, and fuel economy, and responds to varying engine load and operating conditions (centrifugal ONLY responds to rpm, period).

I used a Mallory Unilite vacuum-advance distributor on my Grand Sport; never had any problem with it, but I only drove it for two years before I sold it.



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Old Oct 2, 2007 | 06:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Corbrastang
Just curious if anybody is using this mallory style distributor. I'm having some timing issues right now and i'm considering upgrading to something like this.
Anybody know how you hook it up to the wiring-it says three wire connection, but i am not sure where you splice it in and if you need to bypass the ballast resistor.
thanks
Here is the link
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...1&dept_id=1782
I have the same dist, in fact it's for sale in the parts section. Must delete it. I was going to order a vac. adv. dist, until I found out Mallory makes an adjustable vac can, $29.95, to retrofit to the 38 series dist, which mine is. Same can as on their 42 series, and others. Jeg's or Summit has that dist. MUCH cheaper.
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Old Oct 2, 2007 | 07:56 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnZ
I don't understand the rationale for NOT having a vacuum-advance distributor; vacuum advance improves idle stability, idle and low-speed traffic cooling, throttle response, and fuel economy, and responds to varying engine load and operating conditions (centrifugal ONLY responds to rpm, period).

I used a Mallory Unilite vacuum-advance distributor on my Grand Sport; never had any problem with it, but I only drove it for two years before I sold it.

As I said, guys smarter than me say it makes a difference. I have read and re-read every paper published regarding vacuum advance and I'm jumping in the deep end! I just ordered a MSD 8572 Distributor and a wire kit, but I'm keeping my Mallory coil! My son is home next week on fall break so we'll make the change and I'll let you know if I've wasted $396.98!

ps. would have stayed with Mallory, but they don't make a tach drive dizzy with vacuum advance!
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Old Oct 2, 2007 | 08:57 PM
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Mallory Unilite magnetic breakerless PN. 5764501H is vac.advance and tach. drive.
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Old Oct 2, 2007 | 09:29 PM
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I stand corrected, and would suggest the folks at Mallory hire tech staff that knows there own products!
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