Mallory Unilite Setup- Help
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,563
Likes: 2
Mallory Unilite Setup- Help
On the advice of the forum, I recently purchased a Mallory Unilite tach drive distributor. Two things I noticed right away; NO vacuum advance, and NO spring kit to adjust the advance curve and total advance. As a matter of fact, I couldn't even find the timing spec's with the unit.
Anybody got any hints here about the correct way to set it up? Help.
P.S.
It's going on a new 454 HO Gen VI crate motor, with tri power, in a '67 Vette.
Anybody got any hints here about the correct way to set it up? Help.
P.S.
It's going on a new 454 HO Gen VI crate motor, with tri power, in a '67 Vette.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 752
Likes: 1
From: Springfield Oregon
Re: Mallory Unilite Setup- Help (MassVette)
I run Unilite part#3864501 distributor. It has no vacuum advance, and an adjustable machanical advance. To adjust you have to remove the cap and rotor, and the plate with the electronics on it, and below is the mech. adv. plate with two slotted screws in it. You loosen the screws and move the plate, then reassemble and try it. It's been a while since I messed with it, so I'm a little foggy on the details.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 113
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From: Grand Rapids MI
Re: Mallory Unilite Setup- Help (MassVette)
You can change the total advance(like ORVette described) as well as the curve by changing the small internal springs. Mallory sells kits for them.
Matt
Matt
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Re: Mallory Unilite Setup- Help (Matt M)
You can change the total advance(like ORVette described) as well as the curve by changing the small internal springs. Mallory sells kits for them.
Matt
Matt
As someone stated already, you have to dig pretty deep to change things. Pull the unilite module, then the "cover plate" to expose the weights. There are 2 different Mallory spring/weight designs, and I thihk i have the older one, but you adjust the stops that the weights hit when they move out to adjust total advance and you can replace the springs themselves to adjust how much timing you get how fast.
Mallory should be able to tell you what the unit is set up for out of the factory.
Dave
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
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From: Roxbury NJ
Re: Mallory Unilite Setup- Help (MassVette)
I wouldn't worry about tuning a mechanical distributor for the street, I would return it (if that's an option.) Your part throttle performance and cruise economy will be way down with that setup. You should really get a vacuum advance unit.
Sure, you can tune it for 12 degrees at idle, and 38 total, but what about in between? When you're cruising down the highway at 60 MPH, you'll be running advance that is way too low for good response and mileage since your RPMs won't be anywhere near what it takes to get 38 out of that distributor. Vacuum units actually run much more than 38 at cruise.
-Joe
[Modified by Flareside, 8:45 AM 1/15/2002]
Sure, you can tune it for 12 degrees at idle, and 38 total, but what about in between? When you're cruising down the highway at 60 MPH, you'll be running advance that is way too low for good response and mileage since your RPMs won't be anywhere near what it takes to get 38 out of that distributor. Vacuum units actually run much more than 38 at cruise.
-Joe
[Modified by Flareside, 8:45 AM 1/15/2002]
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 5
From: Roxbury NJ
Re: Mallory Unilite Setup- Help (MassVette)
MassVette, we don't have many good tach drive options.
1. Stock tach drive points distributor. Low tech, low buck option.
2. Stock tach drive distributor converted to HEI electronics internals http://www.davessmallbodyheis.com Looks stock.
3. Stock tach drive distributor with a pertronix or unilite conversion. Looks stock. Kits are available from Summit for under $100.
4. The MSD pro billet tach drive distributor (~$290). This option requires that you also install an MSD box, since this distributor can't drive a coil directly. Looks really nice :) Part #8572
[Modified by Flareside, 9:55 AM 1/15/2002]
[Modified by Flareside, 9:55 AM 1/15/2002]
1. Stock tach drive points distributor. Low tech, low buck option.
2. Stock tach drive distributor converted to HEI electronics internals http://www.davessmallbodyheis.com Looks stock.
3. Stock tach drive distributor with a pertronix or unilite conversion. Looks stock. Kits are available from Summit for under $100.
4. The MSD pro billet tach drive distributor (~$290). This option requires that you also install an MSD box, since this distributor can't drive a coil directly. Looks really nice :) Part #8572
[Modified by Flareside, 9:55 AM 1/15/2002]
[Modified by Flareside, 9:55 AM 1/15/2002]
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 5
From: Roxbury NJ
Re: Mallory Unilite Setup- Help (MassVette)
Hey MassVette, which serpentine system did you install, and where did you get the small power steering pump and remote reservoir? I'm looking for a setup like that.
-Joe
-Joe
Team Owner
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Re: Mallory Unilite Setup- Help (Flareside)
I wouldn't worry about tuning a mechanical distributor for the street, I would return it (if that's an option.) Your part throttle performance and cruise economy will be way down with that setup. You should really get a vacuum advance unit.
Sure, you can tune it for 12 degrees at idle, and 38 total, but what about in between? When you're cruising down the highway at 60 MPH, you'll be running advance that is way too low for good response and mileage since your RPMs won't be anywhere near what it takes to get 38 out of that distributor. Vacuum units actually run much more than 38 at cruise.
-Joe
Sure, you can tune it for 12 degrees at idle, and 38 total, but what about in between? When you're cruising down the highway at 60 MPH, you'll be running advance that is way too low for good response and mileage since your RPMs won't be anywhere near what it takes to get 38 out of that distributor. Vacuum units actually run much more than 38 at cruise.
-Joe
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 752
Likes: 1
From: Springfield Oregon
Re: Mallory Unilite Setup- Help (ddecart)
I took one of the springs off mine so I could get all my advance in by 2500. I run 12 intial and 36 total. I get crappy mileage too, but I can pull 18-20 on long roadtrips. That was before I switched from 3.08's to 3.70's, might not hold true now.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,563
Likes: 2
Re: Mallory Unilite Setup- Help (Flareside)
The serpentine setup came from Street and Performance-- works beautifully but mucho $$$$$$. I only bought it because I was wasting so much time and money trying to use the factory setups, March pulleys, etc. Nothing worked. So, out of frustration, I spent a small fortune on their complete setup. It came with the small Gen.III GM p/s pump and remote reservoir, along with the Sanden 508 compressor, and ALL necessary attachments. BTW, you have to use the SMALL GM alternator with the setup.
