Hi Guys I need some ID help... this is an old Mallory Distributor but I am not sure how to tell what it came off of or is for. When I bought it, I was told it was fro a SBC but not sure how to be 100% on that...
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79057 this thread was some help, but I still am not sure what it is off of.
Without the tag its tough to cross reference.. Looks like a common chevy in the pics. Grab a known small block dizzy and your calipers. Measure and compare. Looks like a YC to me. BTW , Do not let that condenser get away ! They do not make them anymore.. Dave
It is a Double Life distributor for an SBC or BBC. I have several of them, the caps are not that easy to find, so if yours is in good shape, keep it. You can hook up a CD box like an MSD to it and use the points to trigger the box when to fire, but you have to leave both sets of points in it because of the lobe configuration.
You think it is worth holding onto? I have had the thing forever... I would like to put it in my 283, but boy HEI's sure are easy. DrivEm are you saying that this can work like a HEI?
Drivem, it looks like an 8 lobe cam to me..If it is, you should be able to run with only 1 set of points and trigger an msd with it... How cool would that be ? Hide the msd and keep the big condensor for a real vintage look ! Preacher, BTW Hei dizzy's do not clear all intakes... On some real old aftermarket intakes the # 8 runner will not clear the body of the dizzy... Dave
just to drive, it, I don't want to mess with much, but it does need a carb rebuild or it needs a 4 barrel, if I put a 4 barrel intake on when I have the dizzy out I would considering putting this one in as it looks old skool... but all that configuration stuff is scaring me... I just want it as a daily driver and HEI's seem to work better for me than points... around here it seems it's either snowing or raining so electronic ignitions are the ticket...
You can put an amplifier box in with the stock point distributor....like an MSD, or the old Capacitive Discharge type. If your goal is to get hotter spark, that's all you need. If your goal is to never have to mess with points, then you probably want an electronic trigger type distributor, or maybe you could put a pertronix type module in the stock dist. HEI is the first step in a long downward spiral into modern-ness....
agreed... I am not sure if it is even worth messing with, as I could just put a petronix in the existing cap... although I do think this one looks cooler than a stocker, I am not sure if it performs any better. It looks like the thing isn't worth that much either so I am not sure if it is a wall hanger for another 20 years or if I should just get my hands dirty and jamb it in.
I'm pretty sure that Pertronix makes a drop in module for it if it has 8 lobes on the points cam. Just as easy as a stock distributor only in a cooler looking package. Like Mrs Reagan used to say... "Just say no to the HEI" Help beautify America.
I would just leave points in it, unless there is some specific reason you need to change...points do still work, you know
You will be limited to 7mm wires with that unit. It should be fine for your application. If you want to have it looked at send it to GMCBUBBA on here , he can rebuild it in any configuration that you want. He can just clean it up, leave the stock point, he can put the Petronics in it, or he could put his version of HEI inside it . One last thing, make sure that it is not reverse rotation for a marine application.
hay PREACHER...it's definantly a v8 chevy. but if it's for your daily driver, trust me you don't want it. get an H.E.I. and sell the OLD, OLD , OLD mallery dist. well that's my 2 cents. call me POP...or the old FART!
Once upon a time, setting points and doing a real tune up was a way of life. I miss those days. I'd run the Mallory.
Mnnn, one guy throw it out, the next keep it, helpful stuff to ponder... Ok, so I want dependable and points haven't been that for me, mostly because they are $20 a pop and if I roast one set, the second set would be petronix paid for.... so now I am extra confused... That and then if I don't use them I have to shell out for one of those mini HEI's that still fit a stock firewall without beating the crap out of it to create dimple room.
Price tune up parts for the mallory...like has been said, the cap is hard to find. If you put in an amplifier box like an MSD or whatever, it will reduce the load on the points and they should last a lot longer. If you and points don't get along, then maybe you should go electronic. I don't have that much trouble with them in stock motors, but I know some guys do
Before I would buy a Petronics kit I would talk to GMCBUBBA. He make a toner ring that presses onto the existing cam and then he uses a Dodge pick up and a GM HEI module. Great setup and it is all stuff that can be found at any auto parts store for future service. You won't have to sit and wait for the UPS truck next time you need to service the distributor.
Preacher,,,when you go to msd or other CD type ign the voltage and amperage at the points drops down to almost nothing ! The only thing to wear when using this method is the rubbing block on the points. I have seen (yeah, I am that old ) 50 + k miles on points with my old msd 5 .. IMO pertronics is great, But.. If you use the points to trigger msd, if you have trouble with the electronics...just un hook it and it will run home on the points.. Not so easy with pertronics.. Dave
Yup, as jrblack says above...Bubba's stuff is awesome..Same issue as pertronics tho.. I like the points to trigger msd for many reasons, the limp home is just one... I guess i better quit beating this to death..Figure everbody can tell where I stand on this issue..LOL!! Dave
Yes that model is most likely a YC-310-HP, SBC or BBC. Parts are available but the caps are getting more costly these days. -Mike
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