Anyone using Mallory E-Fire Dizzy?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Anyone using Mallory Max-Fire Dizzy?
Ooops! Header should read, "Max-Fire". Anyway, I'm looking for feedback/tips from anyone who has Mallory's Max-Fire Distributor #1248214. I've already read the catalog copy and instructions, but want experience based info and opinions before committing. FWIW, application in question is for '78 w/factory HEI and tach wiring, NOM 7000+ RPM 427 BB (pump gas).
TIA
.
TIA
.
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Jul 4, 2010 at 09:26 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I have no experience with that type of Mallory. I have the CC digital dist which has a poor choice of curves and the cuircut board had to be replaced for and additional $90 last year.
I think that the Crane is the best I have seen.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/P...r&autoview=SKU
I think that the Crane is the best I have seen.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/P...r&autoview=SKU
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 280
Likes: 1
From: cleveland Ohio
i know little in this area,but i bought my 68 327 300hp 6 months ago,it came to me with a mallory hei distr.1406 edelbrock carb. actually i was looking at the distr. yesterday,trying to find some numbers,there is a sticker on the shaft with what looks like 759451,so i checked out mallory online and its probably a better one than at least the 85 series,,mine should be a 75 series,,im thinking.but to your question,ive only driven my car around 800 miles,but no issues so far.and while on subject,i have two wires going to one attachment on side of distr. ones the new red wire,the other is the old white cloth type coated one,,and if i remove the white one,it will just die.i always heard there should be just one wire going to distr.with hei from the 12v source at fuse box.thats all i got,i know its no help,,,happy hunting.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I don't have experience with that distributor but I do have experience with these types of distributors, the MSD Digital Ecurve and the backfire at WOT I felt didn't do my brand new 427ci small block any good.
Anyway after looking at the cap with only 25 miles on it, it looked like it had 25,000, the contacts were going bad and I could see burn marks where the cap met the metal bottom of the dist.
Bottom like coming from a certified electronics technologist is high coil voltage ( 40,000 or more, just guessing at this point ) and IC's operating at less than 3V don't belong in the same box. I was the designated RFI/EMI guy at the telecommunications company I worked for and you can bet there's something not good going on there.
MSD took the distributor back and gave me a full refund
Anyway after looking at the cap with only 25 miles on it, it looked like it had 25,000, the contacts were going bad and I could see burn marks where the cap met the metal bottom of the dist.
Bottom like coming from a certified electronics technologist is high coil voltage ( 40,000 or more, just guessing at this point ) and IC's operating at less than 3V don't belong in the same box. I was the designated RFI/EMI guy at the telecommunications company I worked for and you can bet there's something not good going on there.
MSD took the distributor back and gave me a full refund
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Thanks for the replies so far.
I'm looking at Mallory's version of the programable distributor due to having had less than satisfactory experiences with a couple of the other brand's products, and hoping they've actually cracked this particular nut. I just can't see myself installing a dizzy that was designed decades ago on my current build up, and really like the idea of being able to fully customize the advance curves with a laptop (which could be a real time saver on dyno day) rather than messing with antiquated springs and weights...
Anyone else have any thoguts, please chime in.
I'm looking at Mallory's version of the programable distributor due to having had less than satisfactory experiences with a couple of the other brand's products, and hoping they've actually cracked this particular nut. I just can't see myself installing a dizzy that was designed decades ago on my current build up, and really like the idea of being able to fully customize the advance curves with a laptop (which could be a real time saver on dyno day) rather than messing with antiquated springs and weights...
Anyone else have any thoguts, please chime in.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I'll give you the answer I got from my buddy who's been building racing engines for over 30 years.
I said almost the same thing to him and he said once you have your distributor dialed in how many times do you adjust it ?
I said almost the same thing to him and he said once you have your distributor dialed in how many times do you adjust it ?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
Another one to consider is DUI. Supposedly they take your engine specs and dial in curve for you as a starting point. For someone who doesnt have dyno access or is new at engine tuning it seems like it would be a good idea. Any feedback on that one?
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
MotorHead, I agree I'll most probably leave it be once the optimal curve is found. However, the optimal curve for this build may likely not be linear, and the Max-Fire readily facilitates varying rates thru the RPM range, as well as quick adjustments (which means I can test a good number of potential curves).
Sorry if I'm sounding somewhat like an endorsement. The Max-Fire just looks too good to pass up if it does what it's supposed to do and does it well. Still, I'd be glad to hear from anyone who has had any bad experiences with one.
baxsom, I'm definitely doing a dyno day, but Performance Distributors is high on my list of alternates for the very reason you've brought up.
Sorry if I'm sounding somewhat like an endorsement. The Max-Fire just looks too good to pass up if it does what it's supposed to do and does it well. Still, I'd be glad to hear from anyone who has had any bad experiences with one.
baxsom, I'm definitely doing a dyno day, but Performance Distributors is high on my list of alternates for the very reason you've brought up.
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
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From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
I did a search and there is very little on the Max-fire. So, it's two years later for this thread. I'm considering one of these Mallory Max-Fire Distributor #1248204. TSW, how is it working for you? Anyone else care to comment?
Last edited by resdoggie; Apr 6, 2012 at 09:17 AM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Haven't been able to move forward with the engine build (massive budgetary constraints), so I don't have anything to report. However, having not run across anything which appears better (for my needs), this one's still at the top of my dizzy list.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 62
From: Kona Hawaii
Having good results with the Crane Cams Pro-Curve dist.Setting the curves are a snap no PC required.Just change the switch setting cycle the key and your done with engine off of course.Looked at the Maxfire before purchasing the Crane unit.The Maxfire has all the electronics in the dist and some were having heat issues and the boards were going bad.
You must use an ignition box with the Crane dist.I opted for the HI6 box and the compatible crane coil.You can look at the different advance curves on the Crane site.Hope this helps.
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You must use an ignition box with the Crane dist.I opted for the HI6 box and the compatible crane coil.You can look at the different advance curves on the Crane site.Hope this helps.
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Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,213
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
I'm drawn towards the Max-fire because everything is built in the distributor except for the coil. The few reviews that came up on Google were mostly from the Ford crowd and it appeared 50/50. That said, it seems there may be heat issues shutting down the spark.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
FWIW, I may be a good ways from pulling the trigger on any ignition system just now, but definitely interested in anything anyone might share on the Max-Fire or other top shelf electronic, programmable dizzy.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Hi, got mine from a buddy that had two new and after reading about them they look like a great distributor. He said he runs his cars only during the summer months. He installed one in his nova two years ago and said it hasnt skipped a beat. He liked it so much he bought two more for his other projects but never finished and had to sell his chevelle and belair. But I got mine for $250 from him and he does have another one if anyone interested.
