Mallory ignition 12 volt coil.

Glenn: Looking forward to the ohms reading you get on your 28127 ballast resistor.

I wonder if it's the same ohms as the M700 ballast resistor Mallory supplies with their Unilite module that I received. See it here:
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Mallory-Replacement-Ignition-Module-Ballast-Resistor-Kit,467841.html?sku=9100202&utm_matchtype={match_type}&msclkid=e691ec1005c1107253918a6429c6e01f&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=SMI%20-%20Shopping%20(CSE)%20(Bing)&utm_term=1100309955998&utm_content=Speedway%20%20(Feb28_2020)M700 resistance is .75-1.50 ohms.

It seems that Mallory is now owned by MSD as per this info below:
https://www.superformance.com.au/b/mallory-ignition
 
Back in the day Mallory provided an ignition solution to us guys for multiple carbs and GM 4-bbls. When GM, Ford and Chrysler brought out their 1st generation electronics, Mallory presented their Uni-Lite. We tried it and had less than satisfactory results.
I think they skimped on the electronics package especially the “switching” transistor and the “shutter wheel”/LED assembly. It also did not like voltage spikes from the ’56 Ford generator and mechanical voltage regulator. A malfunctioning vr and the Mallory was toast. Mallory solved the issue with an “add-on”
Most of us went with the GM distributor, a Chrysler magnetic pickup and GM HEI module. A very robust package described over at the H.A.M.B. (Bubba, RIP) lays it out in detail.
 
I just read the posting by JimG and am wondering if my math makes sense regarding the use of Mallory coil 29219 (1.4 ohm primary resistance) and Ballast resistor 8214 (.8 ohm resistance?

Comments welcome? I sent this PM to JimG but would appreciate your feedback as well.
Thanks, JIM
6/20/24 Hi JimG, I read with great interest your 2021 Fordbarn posts "Re: Mallory Ignition 12V Coil" and "My 34 Won't Start" about trying to solve your Unilite ignition/coil/ballast resistor problem.

Please let me know if your ignition is still working fine with the use of the MSD 8214 .8 ohm ballast resistor and the 29219 (1.4 ohm) Mallory coil. The MSD 8214 ballast resistor plus the 1.4 ohms resistance of the 29219 coil gives a total resistance of 2.2 ohms. 12V/2.2ohms = 5.45 Amps.
With the alternator putting out 14V that would be: 14V/2.2 ohms=6.36 Amps.

Can you tell me the AMPS needed for the Unilite module (distributor) to function properly?
My head is spinning from all the opinions you read on the internet.

Hope all is well, Jim (19Fordy)
 
Hi Jim, from post #20, I read 1.4 ohms.
I looked at the Speedway offering this morning and I think the range was as you quoted with the 1.4 being a hot value. My reading was at 75 degrees.

I would look for a 1.4 - 1.5 resistor or you could get a “vintage” one for $100 ��

Glenn
 
Oh, total resistance is the sum of the coil’s plus the external add on. The 1.4 I measured was only for the Mallory.


My total resistance is 4 Ω = 1 (coil) + 1.5 (Mallory) + 1.5
 
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Thank for all who replied. 19Fordy, glennpm, JimG. What a great mountain of information and Rumble Seats notes. You guys are the best.
 
Look at my recent post

http://https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=338626&highlight=Coil

Regarding “ Can you tell me the AMPS needed for the Unilite module (distributor) to function properly?”, I don’t know. I have the Mallory and another 1.5 in series.


In the link above, which is an original crab distributor with points (Mallory); I added a momentary push button switch to bypass my resistor for easy starting.


Glenn
 
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Here is a curve I got from Mallory when I was having trouble starting my car in 2021, along with some other info. I am using the 29219 coil with an 8214 resistor but with the resistor jumpered out. My car starts great with the resistor jumpered out but will not start easily with the 8214 resistor in place.
 

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"Regarding “ Can you tell me the AMPS needed for the Unilite module (distributor) to function properly?”, I don’t know. I have the Mallory and another 1.5 in series."


I just recalled that six years ago I ran my Unilite with just the Mallory resistor only. It started and ran fine. I like the idea of keeping the amperage low, so re-installed the second 1.5 Ω resistor for 4 Ωs total.
 
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