late 50s Mallory Dual Point distributor (Loadomatic model)

late 50s Mallory Dual Point distributor (Loadomatic model)

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By DANIEL TINDER - 4 Years Ago

Sent another technical request message to Holley/Mallory regarding service. First was ignored, but this time I also asked for referral to any private party that specializes in vintage Mallory distributor setup. Maybe someone there who still has connections to retired staff with that knowledge (?) will take pity on me.
While my customized OEM Loadomatic (dual points, altered Offy advance limiter, lowered spring tension, etc.) & Pony/Holley 4000 combo is still running very strong, the reduced gas mileage IS finally enough to prompt me to put the NOS Mallory with mechanical + vac. advance into service (I also have slight ‘rough-running’ when cruising in 3rd OD at low RPMs, but that might well be merely a carb adjustment issue?). Otherwise, I might assume that the vintage unit, as-produced, was designed to be a ‘drop-in’ aftermarket performance upgrade, and was likely to be originally setup correctly as such at the factory, with street-able advance curve & point gaps, so a good soaking in automotive electronics solvent (and re-lube of the advance mechanism) should be adequate for testing. I’ll put it on the SUN machine first and see what’s what before I cut off the ends of my plug wires.
If I’m lucky, I’ll be able eventually to get some useable vac. advance in combination with a modern carb also (restricted port vacuum?). Whatever.

By DANIEL TINDER - 4 Years Ago

Finally got a reply from Holley/Mallory tech service. Do to the buyout/transfers, they have totally washed their hands of any responsibility for old Mallory products. No tech literature available, nor any tech team personnel with pertaining knowledge, and no contacts of any kind could be supplied regarding repair data or service referrals. Geez. So much for ‘brand name’ loyalty/goodwill (another concept relegated to the trash heap of history).

By GREENBIRD56 - 4 Years Ago

Daniel - I feel your pain....... The mining machinery company I represented for many years has now been gone for 23 years. The vestiges are presently owned by CAT - and to be blunt, they don't give a s%$#& how the units work or whatever. And their young guys could care less.So - I keep getting the odd call from old friends and acquaintances, looking for info about the "wheres and hows"of how various systems work, or how they might be repaired. Fortunately my current (part time) employer is tolerant of the phone calls.

By Tim Quinn - 4 Years Ago

Ford Y-block Fans,
Back in the 60's I was running a '56 Fairlane, stick sift, tripower and a Mallory dual point ignition. The Mallory was not running correctly so
we drove to the Mallory Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. In the rear of headquarters were three bays and two technicians. We expalined
the problem. Out came the Mallory. A few minutes later it was put back in with new points and 'Packard 440 wiring' (old school guys all know
Packard spark plug wires were the way to go, top drawer)
Hit the key, fired right up and the trimming was set.
Question: How much ? Answer: Zero , 0000, FREE !
On top of that, we were given a plant tour. I can still see people assembling distributors with hairnets and white gloves.
Since the I always use Mallory products.
Tim
Central, Florida
33706

By KULTULZ - 4 Years Ago

'Packard 440 wiring' (old school guys all know Packard spark plug wires were the way to go, top drawer)

Don't for get the Rajah Clips ... Wink

By DANIEL TINDER - 4 Years Ago

Does anyone remember when carbon-core radio-suppression spark plug wires came out? I’m trying to decide what type of wires to buy for the old spike-type Mallory distributor cap. Will the suppression wires work ok?

By Ted - 4 Years Ago

Suppression wires will work fine. The solid core wires do tend to wreak havoc on electronics within the EMF range when the engines are running so they are best avoided on street driven vehicles. On the older distributors you do have to watch out for some of the high performance spark plug wire kits being too large in diameter and not fitting in the distributor caps properly.

By Florida_Phil - 3 Years Ago

DANIEL TINDER (11/24/2020)

In 1966, I was hired by the Burroughs Corporation as a Field Engineer, fancy words for "Repair Man". They sent me to Detroit to learn to repair a mechanical accounting machine called a "Sensimatic". At the time, practically every business had one, In the seventies, accounting machines turned into computers and I found myself on the cutting edge of technology. A 1955 Mallory distributor is now over 65 years old. How long should a manufacturer provide support? If there is anyone out there with a Burroughs accounting machine still in use, you now know who to call! Wow

By 2721955meteor - 3 Years Ago

IN CANADA ford for example after 10 years they no longer talk to 0ne. older trucks(re motor home)for example the won't work on it. the heap of junk v10s you are on your own for parts or tech help.

By DANIEL TINDER - 3 Years Ago

Florida_Phil (5/14/2021)

DANIEL TINDER (11/24/2020)

An ‘accounting machine’ is NOT a cultural icon. The auto manufacturers like to sell the fantasy scenario of sexuality, etc. associated with their products, along with the brand-related racing/styling history. We all accept the long established standard of dealers no longer stocking parts for car older than 10 years, but when you are selling ‘culture’, you should at least be able to refer the customers you reject to vintage repair sources. I believe the hot rodder/speed equipment industry also shares the automotive ‘cultural/fantasy/sexuality’ concept, and likely should embrace the responsibility that comes with brand-related history (?).

By Sandbird - 3 Years Ago

Use resistor plugs. In fact I've found it hard to find non-resistor plugs. Doesn't matter where the resistor is it has the same effect. Usually ignition interference doesn't bother FM just the AM. Where I live they don't play music on AM anymore so I found an FM convertor at a flea market and solved two problems, The interference and the lack of music on AM.

By 312YBlock - 3 Years Ago

I have a late model Mallory dual point distributor in my 55, 12 volt. I had a new ballast resistor from a T-Bird parts dealer and a Mallory condenser. With only a handful of miles on the resistor it blew out while on the highway, backfiring the like I never thought possible. Fast forward to another road trip this time the condenser dies, engine wants to die, I’m on a highway in traffic. Bottom line new resisters and condensers are made in Asia, they are junk.
I had an MSD 6A installed which replaced both the resistor and condenser and felt like it added another cylinder. Also with the MSD dwell angle becomes obsolete and for the most part so does point gap. The MSD puts only 3 volts through the points as the opening of the points is just a signal to the MSD. In the near future I’m having a Mallory digital conversion kit installed in the distributor removing the points completely.
This will eliminate not only the points but the need to constantly check engine timing due to point wear. Why go through holding your breath every time your engine goes bump, life’s too short 🚗.

By DANIEL TINDER - 3 Years Ago

I would think having two electrical component failure/strandings would make you MORE likely to favor mechanical systems, not less. What will you do if the digital conversion kit fails also? Do you carry a spare distributor?
BTW: I assume my Mallory Dual Point will operate just as well using standard-type condensers (?). I have a bag of old NOS/US-made cylindrical ones, and have selected out the ones with the closest spec. values to carry along for spares.

By famdoc3 - 3 Years Ago

I have used MSD and before that Jacobs ignition boxes point triggered and Petronix triggered the only failure was wear on the point block to the point that the points didn’t open. Quick turn of a screw and going again and improved any engine I used the setups on. Go for it!

By PF Arcand - 3 Years Ago

I found the same lack of service availability, re our 2009 Ford Taurus X, when I went to our local dealer when the car was just over 10 yrs. Part dep't infomed me that the Heater/ AC switch panel was not longer available.. Only suggestion was to go to a Salvage Yard.. Apparently, these wonderful expensive higher tech vehicles when new, are just a right off when they reach 10yrs old.. Great!!

By ian57tbird - 3 Years Ago

I had a couple of condenser failures on the TBird. So on my last trip to the USA I got some condensers from NAPA. I couldn't find anything made in the USA. The condensers I got are made in Mexico and have been good so far. My impression of Mexican stuff, not just car parts, is it seems to be a cut above the Asian stuff. Exclude Japan from that comment, as Japan still seems to make good quality items.
Talking about non-resister wires. I had a stout 454 BBC in a hatchback Torana(Look it up) that had solid core wires and a 7AL2 ignition. I never got to see it as I was in the car every time, but my mother would tell me how the TV would go haywire when I drove down past the house to the garage. 35 years ago that was a wild street car over here.

By 312YBlock - 3 Years Ago

The electronic conversion kit I’m referring to is the Mallory E-Spark. Most people in my club have or are planning to replace their mechanical point systems, and I’m sure they are not alone. Mechanical ignition systems are of another time, as demand for points, condensers etc diminishes they will eventually disappear, it’s just a matter of time.