Mallory Distributor

[madhatter66]

Hello I have twin 88' 454 Crusaders (1966 34' Sportfish) with Mallory distributors. I converting from the points/condenser to electronic. The port motor fires up RH and starboard LH. I know the port distributor is Standard rotation. Both model plates are worn off on distributors. Question I have is... How can I tell the rotation of the starboard motor. Or both distributors are Standard Rotation and just the firing order is different. Do I still need the ballast resister as well. Thx

 

[MikeP]

Take the cap off of the distributers, ground the secondary coil wire to the engine block and crank the engines. Observe which way the rotors turn and that will tell you what you need to know. I suspect that both distributers will turn in the same direction which means that the difference in the setup will be in the position of the secondary wires on the cap to provide the proper firing order.

Whether you need the ballast resistor will be determined by the manufacturer of the electronic ignition. So find the installation instructions which are probably available on line if you don't have them. Some electronic Ign conversions used the resistor while others did not.

 

[madhatter66]

Thank you

 

[Bob Bradley]

My old Chris ('65) had twin counter rotating 327's. I'm not certain, but I would expect that the design of your 454's would be basically the same. Std rotation had a pair of timing gears on the crank and cam that were run by a timing chain causing them to run in parallel rotation. The reverse rotation had a pair of intermeshed gears on the cam and crank, causing them to run in opposite directions. The distributor is run off the cam. On both engines, the cam ran in the same direction, so the distributor did as well. Only the cranks ran in opposite directions. The firing order was reversed by the position of the spark plug wires.

I replaced my original Prestolite distributor's points and rotor with Pertronix electronic ignition. On mine the condensor was eliminated. I'm not sure if the ballast resistor you referred to is what I call the condensor, or if it's something different.

I will say this. It was the best thing I ever did to those engines. The difference in engine performance was significant.

 

[MikeP]

The condenser is inside the distributer and is located on the breaker plate in the distributer on a point system and reduces arcing of the points. The ballast resistor is external to the distributer and is part of the system that reduces the car's battery voltage for normal operation of the ignition coil when the engine is running to the ignition coil. On a standard point type ignition full battery voltage is used only when the starter is engages. The ballast resistor is bypassed for starting and engaged when the starter switch its released for normal running. Typically, the running voltage at the ignition coil will be several volts bellow system voltage. 9V is pretty common with a 12V system.

SO...it all depends on the aftermarket ignition whether the ballast resistor remains or not.

 

[jburris]

The distributors turn the same way on the reverse rotation (CW) and the standard (CCW) Chevys, the CW engine has a set of gears verses a chain to drive the cam. I would find a pair of thunderbolt IV distributors and modules from a mercruiser, make sure you use the correct mercruiser coil as well (they are different even though they look common) the advantage you get it easy to find parts, and the timing advance is built into the electronic module, no more sticking advance weights to deal with.

 

[madhatter66]

Has anyone replaced their points/condenser distributor with this? From what I assume that I'm reading this should be a correct replacement for the Mallory distributor on the Crusader 454.

PerTronix Flame-Thrower Plug and Play Marine Distributors with Ignitor II® Module D200800
Distributor, Marine, Plug and Play, Magnetic, Mechanical Advance, Black Cap, Chevy, Big/Small Block

Brand:
PerTronix

Manufacturer's Part Number:
D200800

Part Type:
Distributors

Product Line:
PerTronix Flame-Thrower Plug and Play Marine Distributors with Ignitor II® Module

Summit Racing Part Number:
PNX-D200800

Computer-Controlled Compatible:
No

Trigger Style:
Hall effect

Advance Type:
Mechanical

Cap Style:
Female/Socket

Mechanical Tach Drive:
No

Slip Collar:
No

Gear Material:
Iron

Ignition Box Required:
No

Distributor Gear Rotation:
Standard

Distributor Cap Color:
Black

Housing Material:
Billet aluminum

Housing Finish:
Polished

Marine Use:
Yes

Quantity:
Sold individually.

Notes:
Fits marine applications only. Designed to meet SAE J1171 standards.

 

[dsharp]

I haven't used those but I don't see any reason that they wouldn't work. I had replaced quite a few distributors with Mallory electronic dist. That were sold for Marine Power 454's.

 

[Bob Bradley]

When I did my Chris, I didn't have to replace the distributor - just screw a new bottom plate into it and put a magnetic donut under the rotor (rotor was also a different model IIRC). Also, it did take both a + and a - wire to the distributor from the original coil. My dist was a Prestolate IBM 4115, so obviously a different Pertronix component (#1581) than your Mallory. It was a very simple change that only cost me about $78 per side back in 1997. I got mine then thru North Star Auto Electric (800-659-8163). Not sure if they still exist.

 

[madhatter66]

I have to replace the whole distributor on the port motor. It's not worth rebuilding (cost wise) so purchasing a whole new setup with electronic. If I'm replacing one side just as well replace the starboard. I was getting intermit stalls on the water. After waiting 10-20min, she'll fire back up. Did the process of eliminations. Fuel tanks (new), fuel lines (new), fuel pump (1 season use but new), rebuild carbs, new wires and plugs, new points and condenser, coil and ballast resistor. Then one day NOTHING. No go. She would crank but wouldn't turn over. Well turned out the distributor. I appreciates everyone help.