help with Mallory install

chiefdave

chiefdave

Member
I'm on the last step of my bolt on 8BA engine mods. With help from forum members the intake/carb and heads went well. Am ready to install the Mallory dual point (CZ275AX) and a trial fit looks good with the gear engaging and the hold down lug bottoming on the head. The Mallory shaft extends past the gear and the removed Loadmatic does not. Should this extention be removed? The timer cover is cast iron. Should the gear get some assembly lube on final installation? I had a local mechanic spin the distributor and it has a total of 21 degrees advance (vacuum and centrifugal combined) @ 2200 rpm. Will the stock coil work OK? I know a lot of members swear by the converted Chevy units but I want a period look.


I tried to post pictures but all attempts to upload failed and I'm computer chalanged.


Thanks in advance for any help.
 
A picture would help. Generally, it's not a good idea to remove the "pilot shaft", because the distributors without them have a shorter support area on the upper shaft. You should have an aluminum timing cover with the provision for the pilot anyway. They are lighter and polish up nicely.

Check this link out (Thanks to "V8 Bob") : https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/49-53-ford-8ba-flathead-v-8.1081323/#post-12256959> The timing cover situation with 8BA's is more complicated than some may think.
 
tubman said:
A picture would help. Generally, it's not a good idea to remove the "pilot shaft", because the distributors without them have a shorter support area on the upper shaft. You should have an aluminum timing cover with the provision for the pilot anyway. They are lighter and polish up nicely.

Check this link out (Thanks to "V8 Bob") : https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/49-53-ford-8ba-flathead-v-8.1081323/#post-12256959> The timing cover situation with 8BA's is more complicated than some may think.
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Thanks for the link, I can do pretty well with pictures. I have the C timer cover shown.
 
Here they are, it was a size issue.
 

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Chief....Your Mallory should work ok in the iron cover. That particular distributor has a
full shank plus the piloted end below the gear.
Charlie ny
 
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flatjack9 said:
I don't know that I have seen a Mallory distributor with vacuum advance.
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The subject Mallory does not appear to have vacuum advance but a Mallory with vacuum advance can be converted for flathead use such as this one I did some time ago.


picture.php
 
chiefdave said:
The vacuum port is about at the 4 o'clock position. There is no external dashpot, everything is internal.
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If this was made by Mallory as a replacement for the original Ford distributor it leads me to the question, is it designed to be operated using carb/venturi vacuum as opposed to manifold vacuum?
 
The mallory flattop was vacuumbrake like in the ford crabs...not a modern style vacuum advance.
They are for manifold vacuum.
And there is a small spark advance valve you can connect in between letting venturi vacuum control it for improved control...atleast that was what the mallory ad says...
 
Install is complete but using manifold vacuum (20.5"hg) put the timing mark maybe 30-35 degrees advanced at idle, no vacuum about 15 degrees at 2200 rpm. I may try the metered venture vacuum port (10"hg @2200 rpm) to see if that makes a difference. If it doesn't guess the best thing would be to advance the timing a few degrees past the timing bump and use centrifugal only.


I did get the vintage look that I wanted and the only thing to add is a set of the "highway patrol" exhaust manifolds, then on to tiding up the engine compartment.


Thanks to all of the forum members for the advice.


Just tried the metered port and it works well. Took a little drive and the engine is much better than stock.
 

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V8COOPMAN said:
Man, where do ya recon that snazzy condenser came from? DD




413289
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Came with the rebuilt distributor and is marked Mallory. I'm trying to duplicate a '49 coupe that I had in the early 60's. Had to settle for a sedan, all the coupes around here were rust buckets or too expensive.
 
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