Mallory Vrs MSD
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 231
Likes: 1
From: Clear Lake Texas
Mallory Vrs MSD
I'm getting the parts together for the 383 for my 66.
I keep looking at a distributor..
Mallory has the 42 series breaker less with Vacuum advance and it does not need an external box... They do not make a unilite with vacuum advance.. Here's what they say..
"Mallory 4264511 Distributor fits 1955-1974, 262-454 cu.in. Corvette with mechanical tachometer
Like all of Mallory's distributors, the 42 Series Comp S/S features a CNC machined billet housing that has ball bearing upper and bushed lower support for maximum stability. It comes with a steel drive gear and a 208 style cap and wire retainer that are 20% more crossfire resistant. This is a complete MBI triggering distributor, ready to install and run, with an easy to adjust mechanical advance plus vacuum advance."
MSD has one with vacuum advance but it needs a 6 external box to go along with it..
The 383 should only rev to a max of 6000.
Which one do I need and will I really be able to tell the difference?
An extra 2-300 isn't going to make a big difference now as the budget my wife made for me is already shot!!
Thanks for your input...
Capt Roy
I keep looking at a distributor..
Mallory has the 42 series breaker less with Vacuum advance and it does not need an external box... They do not make a unilite with vacuum advance.. Here's what they say..
"Mallory 4264511 Distributor fits 1955-1974, 262-454 cu.in. Corvette with mechanical tachometer
Like all of Mallory's distributors, the 42 Series Comp S/S features a CNC machined billet housing that has ball bearing upper and bushed lower support for maximum stability. It comes with a steel drive gear and a 208 style cap and wire retainer that are 20% more crossfire resistant. This is a complete MBI triggering distributor, ready to install and run, with an easy to adjust mechanical advance plus vacuum advance."
MSD has one with vacuum advance but it needs a 6 external box to go along with it..
The 383 should only rev to a max of 6000.
Which one do I need and will I really be able to tell the difference?
An extra 2-300 isn't going to make a big difference now as the budget my wife made for me is already shot!!
Thanks for your input...
Capt Roy
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 512
Likes: 0
I'm a MSD fan. I've found that an MSD will keep my plugs running longer before fouling. If you get one be sure the box has a rev limiter (always a good idea).
I'm also a vacuum advance fan for anything driven on the street. It will also keep your plugs burning cleaner and the car will be nicer to drive with a vacuum advance when set up correctly. A vacuum advance will also give you much better mileage. The key to happiness with a vacuum advance is to make sure the vacuum advance and distributor mechanical advance is set up correctly for your car. You can buy adjustable vacuum advances now days that make this much easier.
I'm also a vacuum advance fan for anything driven on the street. It will also keep your plugs burning cleaner and the car will be nicer to drive with a vacuum advance when set up correctly. A vacuum advance will also give you much better mileage. The key to happiness with a vacuum advance is to make sure the vacuum advance and distributor mechanical advance is set up correctly for your car. You can buy adjustable vacuum advances now days that make this much easier.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
I`m just the opposite. "Mallory" We have always used Mallory products. I guess it didn`t make any difference that Mallory was from Detroit and 'Boots' happened to be a personal friend of my Father and his ignition systems were donated to us for the drag cars. 
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 11,593
Likes: 173
From: Clayton NC
I've used both together.. I have a Mallory dizzy with no vac advance that I had a 6AL box hooked up to for a hotter spark. Now I have a stock dizzy with a Mallory unilite unit installed hooked up to a 6AL box. The 6AL box is to get a hotter spark. It's not required with the Mallory or the MSD dizzy.. It only helps.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 4
From: Plano Texas
Capt Roy, The May issue of "Vette" magazine has an article about a C3 igntion upgrade that you may want to read. It is about a new MSD distributor #8394 that incorporates a billet aluminum housing, vacuum advance and digital centrifugal advance with a high-power control box all built in under a standard Chevy-size distributor cap. Pretty slick. It's adjustable on both the vacuum advance and centrifugal advance. Its official title is the E-Curve Pro Billet Distributor. Good Luck. 
