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Author
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Topic: Mallory Unilite distributor?
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Wayne Brooks
Gearhead Posts: 190
From: Winfield, Ks. 67156
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 04-23-2004 11:21 PM
 
Purchased this unit and the electronic coil suggested by Mallory for my 69 Mach1. Was originally a 351W 4V that I have replaced with 351C. Mallory requires either an ignition ballast resistor or a loom resistance wire in the 12V ignition wire to the positive coil side. My question is......is this car equiped with or without a resistor of any kind from the factory? If not, what resistor should I use? If it does have one, where is it located and how can I test to see if it's any good? Mallory suggests part# 700. Is there any others that I could use from any local parts store that I can use until I can get one sent to me from mallory. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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wildfire466
unregistered
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posted 04-24-2004 12:15 AM
Hi,
Do you have a factory tach? If so the wiring from the switch is routed to tach then out to engine compartment. No Tach, then there is a resistor wire from the ign switch. You can check by key on, no crank with volt meter connected to the (disconnected) + wire on the coil should be <- then 12V.Not to be mean but I'd put that dist on e-bay. If the module goes out it is almost the price of a new dist. If youy needing to go electronic then the Duraspark dist and MSD is a great way to go. Otherwise Crane sell a pick-up to install into a points dist. It has a built in rev limiter. I've never used this but it looks like a neat piece. See ya!
Les ------------------
http://www.geocities.com/wildfire1mustang/
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bigblocked85
Gearhead Posts: 163
From: Waterford,MI
Registered: May 2003
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posted 04-24-2004 10:02 AM
Hey there Wayne, I know that changes in planning and parts choice can be a pain in the arse and extremely frustrating however if you just purchased that Unilite and can refund it, do it. I totaly agree with Les and have learned the hard way with the Unitlite distributers. Trust me, pick the most inopportune time and thats when she'll fry. Lets see, it only took me about 2,3 maybe 9 times at 90 bucks a crack to figure it out. Get a MSD, you wont be disappointed. Good luck, Gordon ------------------
Gordon Ross
85 Mustang GT
466 C-4 mini tubbed
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Wayne Brooks
Gearhead Posts: 190
From: Winfield, Ks. 67156
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 04-24-2004 11:42 AM
quote:
Originally posted by bigblocked85:
Hey there Wayne, I know that changes in planning and parts choice can be a pain in the arse and extremely frustrating however if you just purchased that Unilite and can refund it, do it. I totaly agree with Les and have learned the hard way with the Unitlite distributers. Trust me, pick the most inopportune time and thats when she'll fry. Lets see, it only took me about 2,3 maybe 9 times at 90 bucks a crack to figure it out. Get a MSD, you wont be disappointed. Good luck, Gordon
Nontach car. Are these units really that bad??????? Have had others tell me that they have had great luck with them. Just asking, do not want to install into the car due to full refund if unused. Tested at positive side of the coil with key on and read 6.02 volts.
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kid vishus
Gearhead Posts: 7251
From: middle of NC
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 04-24-2004 12:07 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Wayne Brooks:
Are these units really that bad???????
Well, I wouldn't use one in any of my clevelands if someone gave it to me. Especially considering how good MSD distributors are.
To tell you what I think of Mallory dizzies, I would run my old Accel dual point before I EVER stuck a Mallory in one of my cars.
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kcode
Gearhead Posts: 3415
From: alvaton,ky,usa Suburb of Bowling Green, M&M #79, MCA #29208
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 04-25-2004 12:20 AM
Dang, I'm almost afraid to speak up in favor of a Unilite. I've run two different Unilite for the past fourteen years with no problems. I have never used one as a stand alone though, I have always used a Mallory ignition box. A Hyfire IV on the 289 and a Hyfire VI Al on the 347.....I feel like a minority  Mike
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steve'66
Gearhead Posts: 9835
From: Sonoma,CA,USA
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 04-25-2004 12:33 AM
My buddy Glens67 uses a Malory Unilite distributor with good sucess. I use MSD and Crane,SteveW
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wildfire466
unregistered
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posted 04-25-2004 01:30 AM
Nontach car. Tested at positive side of the coil with key on and read 6.02 volts.That means you have a resistor wire and there is no need for an additional ballast resistor. See ya! Les ------------------
http://www.geocities.com/wildfire1mustang/ [This message has been edited by wildfire466 (edited 04-25-2004).] [This message has been edited by wildfire466 (edited 04-25-2004).]
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denny
Journeyman Posts: 95
From: Northfield NH USA
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 04-25-2004 01:40 AM
Ive had one in my cleveland for 15 years and one in a 289 for 10 year with no problems either. I do think the MSD is better and have heard of the mallory unit frying but it hasn't one me yet ------------------
D French
67 427 Fairlane(A/SA) 73 Mustang 351c
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Stang72
Gearhead Posts: 326
From: Arkel,Zuid-Holland,Holland
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 04-25-2004 04:13 AM
Hi , i also use a unilite for 3 years now..no problems at all. you do hear all over the place that they fry very easily... they tend to be sensitive to voltage peaks..so keep the unit behind a resistor and your fine....
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Wayne Brooks
Gearhead Posts: 190
From: Winfield, Ks. 67156
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 04-25-2004 01:40 PM
Thanks for all the replies guys. Guess since I already have the unit I will try it and if it fries it fries. Put it in yesterday and noticed much improvement.
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Mpcoluv
Gearhead Posts: 1421
From: Charlotte NC usa
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 04-25-2004 02:04 PM
Hey guys, I'll trade my 351c unilite for a DUI... 
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jsracingbbf
unregistered
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posted 04-25-2004 03:34 PM
I'll trade my Unilte for anything that fits in front of the tunnel ram and works. it's a weak link.
------------------
JS
Run what you brung and hope you brung enough!
69 Mustang Pro ET Drag
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kid vishus
Gearhead Posts: 7251
From: middle of NC
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 04-25-2004 04:03 PM
Unilite and weak link, that says it all.
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CHIPSBAD67
Gearhead Posts: 396
From: LOU,KY;USA
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 04-26-2004 10:25 PM
have had my unilite for years and never had a problem either. i do run a ballast resistor, but i dont think it costs much. mallory has voltage spike protectors but i never needed one yet and i have upgraded over the years quite a bit but still have the unilite. you can run an msd 6al with it and it has the plug-in for the tach, but as i recall, i ran my tach off it before i picked up my 6al. i wouldnt run my unilite on a cleveland either, have to get a windsor.------------------
306, 4speed, 4.11's....best 1/8 mile 7.58 at 92mph with 1.72 60ft. PUMP GAS/NO ADDERS/STREET TIRES
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allenman
Journeyman Posts: 18
From: Allen, TX, USA
Registered: Oct 2003
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posted 04-27-2004 01:35 AM
Hmmm...17 years w/only 1 problem. I disconnected the bat while the engine was running and it killed the unilite module.
But I'd done it hundreds of times before without a problem so 1 out of hundred++ ain't bad.Someday, when my Mallory goes bad, I'll try an MSD but until then...
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CometGT1974
Gearhead Posts: 479
From: Asheville, NC USA
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 04-27-2004 09:00 AM
I ran a unilite for about 3 yrs when the Comet was a street car only, never had a problem out of that distributor!
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 29200
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 04-27-2004 10:05 AM
Mallory has always been an ignition industry leader. They were one of the first to offer high performance ignitions.
Part of the problem they have always had is too wide a product line. 
That along with a constantly changing tech staff made selections confusing.
With most racers, price generally seems to conquer all and the cheaper "street" product is chosen.
Mallory offers some dynamite stuff these days, but it seems to be a secret. The mail order houses have to carry 3-4 brands of ignitions (5 if you count DUI) to please the masses, and consequently only cataloge the most competitivly priced units.
I would not hesitate to try some of their new race only product.
Remember that the parent company is Mr.Gasket which also owns Accel and Jacobs.
They ain't no dummies over there.  PS
In all fairness, I still prefer MSD for a multitude of reasons even though I am quite familiar with all of the brands.
Complacent?
Maybe, but MSD has been very good to us over the years as has Accel.
(we use Accel wires and EFI managment) ------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,'03,& '04
First SS/MA in the TENS!
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28 The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
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73STANG
Journeyman Posts: 83
From: Lincoln, NE
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 04-27-2004 10:29 AM
I have never had any problems with the Unilite. I would like to run an MSD, but I could only find the Unilite with a crab cap and short enough to fit under the front snout of the blower on my Cleveland.
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JAAZZY
Gearhead Posts: 918
From: Bay Area, CA
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 04-27-2004 05:29 PM
I have used a full Mallory ignition system with a Comp 9000 distributor for many years. I really don't remember exactly when I bought it but would guess around 1990. I would probably remember a lot better if I had ever had a problem with it. I just recently purchased a new model to compliment the Accel DFI I am switching to. I hope it is as reliable as the old one. I'm not sure MSD has one for the same application anyway(the DFI controlling the ignition).
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