Here is a strange one. Driving along after a nice 30 mile cruise, started raining moderately, all of sudden car just dies, I was going around 30mph.

After troubleshooting found the problem with the new Malory HEI distributor (not unilite) with only 115 miles on it, the coil and the control module were both toast. I noticed that inside the cap and under the rotor there seemed to be a blackish residue, like something electrical smoked inside. I checked the pickup coil and it tested good, but the main coil and control module tested bad. Replaced with ne Mallory coil, cap, rotor, control module, and capacitor but kept the installed base distributor as is (mechanical part and didn't want to deal with re-stabbing if I didn't have to). Also found my 6 month old battery tested bad. hmm.

After changing the parts above she fired right up. I hope this doesn't happen again, the tow truck driver is starting to know me by name...

Question, has anyone else had distributor electrical failures with relatively new parts?

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Yep!  Been there, done that & bought the T-Shirt.  Converted my GM distributor to the Malory electronic ignition to get rid of the points (kept the base).  Damn thing didn't last.  Mine toasted less than 115 miles.

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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113

[QUOTE=FLA VETTE]

Here is a strange one. Driving along after a nice 30 mile cruise, started raining moderately, all of sudden car just dies, I was going around 30mph.

After troubleshooting found the problem with the new Malory HEI distributor (not unilite) with only 115 miles on it, the coil and the control module were both toast. I noticed that inside the cap and under the rotor there seemed to be a blackish residue, like something electrical smoked inside. I checked the pickup coil and it tested good, but the main coil and control module tested bad. Replaced with ne Mallory coil, cap, rotor, control module, and capacitor but kept the installed base distributor as is (mechanical part and didn't want to deal with re-stabbing if I didn't have to). Also found my 6 month old battery tested bad. hmm.

After changing the parts above she fired right up. I hope this doesn't happen again, the tow truck driver is starting to know me by name...

Question, has anyone else had distributor electrical failures with relatively new parts?

[/QUOTE]

Yep...  Mallory problems....

had two unilites die in a matter of weeks

Not good news! I wish I knew this before buying this. If it makes it past the critical 100 miles, does anyone have history of it lasting? or should I pull it now and put in the one recommended by GM?

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[QUOTE=FLA VETTE]Not good news! I wish I knew this before buying this. If it makes it past the critical 100 miles, does anyone have history of it lasting? or should I pull it now and put in the one recommended by GM?[/QUOTE]

Myself and two others I know have had bad problems with Mallory..

I had one that lasted about 3 years...  but in this time the car only got about 1500 miles on it.

either go with an MSD for perfomance or GM for stock

FLA Vette,

     The only part that Mallory I use is their Red HEI Chevy cap with brass contacts.Over my many years of rebuilding distributors and trying to use Mallory parts,I have had to narrow down to just the cap.On the HEI in my 80 Vette is a Mallory cap Pertronix Coil and Capacitor and module.This same combination is in my daily driver '72 370hp 1/2 ton truck and never a missed beat..I have experimented with ignition systoms to find the best combination for daily and or track applications..I have had all bad luck with Mallory electronic distributors especially Unilites..The only one that was a good distr., was the old dual point racing distr., which was used extensivly too far back for me to admit to knowing about....

    In any event Mallory is not a good repacement or an operating ignition system..  Take care and good luck....Sal

      nosal1

I have already changed out the failed parts with new Mallory parts, errrr....... I may just have to ride around with my old GM coil and control module as a spare for awhile. Would it be alright to use the GM parts in the Mallory distributor when the Mallory electronics fail?

If and when I get my next failure should I keep the actual Mallory distributor and just change the electronics (coil, control module, and capacitor) to a different brand or should I just change out the whole distributor with a different brand?

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[QUOTE=nosal1]

    In any event Mallory is not a good replacement or an operating ignition system..  Take care and good luck....Sal

      nosal1

[/QUOTE]

Oh no, I wish I never saw this post .  Like many of you I've had my fair share of problems, and in a few cases spent more than I should have because of my lack of mechanical skills. I finally got to a point were I was just starting to have more confidence in the reliability of my car. Then I come across this post. Don't get me wrong, my car is running excellent, it should, there isn't much left to replace/repair. Last year I replace the whole dist. system with a Mallory. This unit is their magnetic breaker-less system, and fits perfect under my ignition shielding.I also got their Hy-Fire multi-strike capacitive discharge unit. My car has never run better, but after reading this, I'll have all kinds of anxiety attacks waiting for my system to fail .  

Me too, all I can say is DON'T BUY MALLORY!!!!!!!!!!

I've just got the stock distributor with the Pertronix kit and it works great.  Been going for over 4 years now.  

Now, that I have bragged on it, watch it die on me!!!

Larry

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