model t mallory distributor

32forddump

32forddump

Senior Member
I just found 3 n.o.s. mallory distributors with some old model t parts. Did mallory make distributors for model t's? What are they worth?
 
Typically Mallorys first unit for the early Fords was for the model A engine. Load up a couple picture of what you have and we will try to get you a appliction.
The Ts front cover never supported a distributor without a external gear drive of some kind...
 
I have acquired the model t mallory distributors, . They are n.o.s. parts
 

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Thats a raised timer not a distributor. Look at the drive gear... is it a 45 degree bevel or a counter mesh helical? Pull the cap and I think youll just find a contactor (timers are a grounding timing device) that makes contact with the cap. Post some pics of the guts and gears... I wonder what the rheostat on the cap is for??? ws
 
Here are some more pics of mallory contactor. Looks like 45 degrees like you mentioned, There are several gears to make contactor complete. I amnot sure what rheostat is for maybe someone will let us know.
 

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Thats pretty bizarre! The cap looks like a new day timer (plastic/bakelite with a spring loaded brush) yet theres a set of points (minus the condenser). Hmmm. That may be a dual purpose distributor / timer. The timer for running on the 32 VAC Magneto and the points for a single 6 VDC coil for easier starting.
I think that if the large brass contacts were used with a high voltage coil they wouldnt hold up. The dwell would also be immense, no?
I wonder if that rheostat sets the contact pressure on the rotor/contactor. Is there any evidence of a coil inside the large square part of the frame of the unit like maybe its a self contained magneto?
BUBBA's gonna need to pipe up on this one! Got the cam end gear to drive it? ws
 
This looks like a distributor with the coil & likely the condenser built in to the box affair which is part of the casting. The cap is similir in design to the early Delco caps used on pre-teens Cadillac 4 cylinder cars. The rotor has a carbon brush that connects the center electrode to the respective plug wires as it turns. The rheostat looking thing is likely a spark intensifier of sorts. The dwell would not be altered by the wide cap contacts, the width assures contact throughout the spark advance movement - avoiding any degree of arking is important with this set up. The dwell is controlled by the point setting.


Below is a DELCO cap for a 1911 Cadillac; ( I need one & a rotor if anyone has anything like this)
 

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I was able to put the gear that i had on the camshaft this morning and it fit well.
 

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I bought a book years ago from Don.Lang. On after market parts for the model T Ford.
It was made up from old ads back then. If some one has that book. I'am sure that. That distributor would be in it. I let a guy use mine and that was the last I saw of it.
This book was about the same size. As the Model T Service Manual.
 
If I recall it's resistance coil and was used in conjunction with a Model T coil. Many clip on distributors were able to be setup with ether a normal coil or a Model T coil.
 
FWIW... I wouldnt use that cam gear! It looks like die cast pot metal. Take it to a gear shop as a template and get a steel gear made. It looks too good to take a chance with! HONEST!! ws
 
Thanksyou for the advice. Iam going to try to make it function today,I will hook it up to a battery and coil to see if I can get the points to spark.
 
The points only carry line voltage, 6 or 12 volts. Did you mean, spark at the plugs? Make sure the points are clean and grease free and go for it!
 
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