Technical Mallory dual point conversion

Hey lol,
I have a Mallory dual
Point that I’m looking to convert to pertronix. Does anyone know what cap I need to run the correct wires. I currently have a 2 piece cap and looking for a 1 piece

 

Distributor is for a sbc

 

There were several different Mallory distributor designs over the years...pictures of what you have would help you get the info you want.

Then again, you could just keep the points in it, they still work, don't they?

 

You would be better off selling the "flattop" to someone who appreciates it and buying something that suits your fancy. You would probably come out ahead money-wise and everyone would be happy. I know I would not like to see a classic distributor bastardized just so you could run some funky wires.

That is, if you decide not to takes "squirrel"'s excellent advice.

This brings up something that has always bothered me. Why do people come on this board asking about Pertronix ignitions? They are definitively not of the era.

"Originally known as Per-Lux, the company was founded in 1962, primarily a manufacturer of driving and fog lights for the heavy-duty market (big rig trucks). In the early 70's, an engineer came up with the idea of an electronic ignition system that would replace the points and condenser in distributors."

 

What presently available ignition systems & parts really are of the era? Most points and caps made now seem to be junk meaning NOS is what you've got to use, there's a finite supply so in a not too distant future those will run out.
Do you park the cars when you run out of old parts (or the patience for looking for the old parts still out there, collecting dust on some shelf) or do you adapt to what's available?

Speaking of that, how close to identical do parts have to be to "be of the era"? Pretty sure you can't find ignition wires with the same material in the insulation as back then, tires made of the same rubber blend, or new brake pads with the proper asbestos content. Compromises, compromises.

Yes, I know, this board is centered around the traditional stuff, but sometimes you get to the point when strictly traditional isn't very practical anymore. There were a few electronic ignitions back in the day, not very good ones but they were out there, so electronic ignitions can be traditional, even if the text on the box has a different name.

 

what are "correct wires" I have petronix stuff but only recall a recommended upgrade to wires somewhere, dont think its necessary, just use good quality parts. If your chasing that last HP you shold bin everything and do something not for this page.

 

I've run 9s in the quarter mile in a street driven car using a couple different old Mallory dual point distributors...they really don't cost HP like some guys think they do.

 

What do you mean by "correct wires"? Are they not available in a size (diameter) that will fit into the flat-top cap?

 

I recently did a Mallory E-Spark conversion to my YL, didn't take but just a couple months before I went back to points!!!

 

I understand an electronic conversion from points is not traditional, but at least it keeps a distributor looking traditional after it's converted. Better than a monster sized modern HEI distributor that's just plain offensive to look at in a vintage type hotrod.

 

The mallory 2 pc. cap was 'friendly' with 7mm. Packard 440 ign cables. Raised hell with people's TV reception, though.
Guys were trying Autolite Resistor plugs, (revolutionary then!) but the 440 wires gave everybody 'static'...

 

I converted to Pertronix with the two piece cap. I did need to drill the openings for the 8mm radio suppression wires.

Here's from the barn on the one piece cap from NAPA.

Re: MA9 cap on Mallory YC
For people that may be searching just wanted to update this thread with the MA9 cap ($83.00) on a Mallory YC distributor. Exact replacement with the MA7 ($21.00) rotor.
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The solid wires won't really work with the electronic. Spiral wound wires is what he wants. I run Taylors and they come in 7mm.

Echlin makes a one piece cap for the split cap Mallory. I don't remember the part number.

@Atwater Mike I had enough Packard wire to make up ignition wires for my bike. Ya know what else that they screw with? Bumpin stereo, I made some bump bump guys really mad at stop lights in the city.

 

I did the same on my Mallory Flathead conversion. Drilled the cap for 8mm resistor wire and it works great. I used the pertronix in combination with MSD boost control setup.

The Napa replacement 1 piece cap does not seem to be available any longer last time I checked.

 

I had an old Mallory dual point on my 8BA and was able to have it converted to HEI guts. It was worn out and wouldn't keep accurate timing, so it was either trashcan it or try to salvage it by having it converted.
I had the 2 piece cap and was never able to locate a replacement, 1 piece or 2 piece. Hopefully there are suitable new parts available now.

 

I know this is an older thread, but I would like to know what model number of Pertronix conversion that was used in these two flat cap Mallory distributors. I have tried looking it up on the Pertronix website, but cannot figure out which one is the right one to use.