Review: Mallory Breakerless Ignition Conversion

crm...@voodoo.physics.ucsb.edu

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Apr 11, 1993, 1:58:25 AM4/11/93

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Review of the Mallory No. 540 Breakerless Ignition System

After purchasing my '71 Ford F-250 pickup truck with a 360
cu inch V8 engine, I decided to upgrade the mechanical point
ignition system to electronic ignition for improved reliability
and consistent performance.

In general, there are 3 type of electronic ignition
conversions available:

1) Capacitive Discharge types that utilize the existing points
but eliminate the problem of burned points associated with
regular point ignitions. The mechanical points will last a lot
longer with this conversion, but sooner or later they will still
need replacement (just due to mechanical wear). Example: MSD-5
for $62.

2) Photo detector types that have an LED transmitter/receiver
pair and a wheel that fits on the distributor shaft. The wheel
slotted so it interrupts the beam as it rotates. Example: Mallory
Unilite breakerless conversion system, costs $85 for Ford &
Chevy. The Unilite system is small enough to fit entirely in the
distributor.

3) Magnetic Pickup type that use a magnetic pickup to sense when
each lobe passes. Example: Mallory #540 breakerless ignition
conversion system for $75.

I chose #3, primarily since I wanted the cheapest name brand
system that did not have mechanical points (the fix it once
principle). Also of interest was that it was smog approved for
California vehicles (provided the vehicle does not have a
retrofit Nox device that causes more than 4 degrees of retard).

The #540 kit contains the electronics module, a magnetic
pickup, a bag of misc. parts, and full instructions. The required
tools for the conversion are minimal: Screwdriver, needle nose
pliers, drill with 1/8" bit, regular pliers, and a center punch
(or big nail). The instructions included with the kit are well
written and full of detailed pictures.

The whole conversion process should only take about an
hour. Basically you remove the existing points and install the
magnetic pickup. This attaches to the electronics module (which
needs to be mounted somewhere in the engine compartment). The
electronics module also has wires that connect to the coil. The
only challenging part is getting the gap between the cam lobe
and the magnetic pickup set correctly (a shim is provided for
this purpose).

After installation, my truck started up fine and no
timing adjustment was required. I am still tracking any gas
milage changes but the preliminary results are showing a slight
increase for freeway driving (5%+). I have noticed less pinging
when driving up hills even though the timing is the same (and I
am at a loss why this change has occurred).

There were a few minor problems with my conversion. The
small parts kit was missing a few fasteners (though easily
replaceable) and one hole needed to be tapped. Mallory was very
responsive to the problem (the Manager of Engineering even sent
me a letter regarding).

Is it worth it? Yes! Any improvement in gas milage for my
old truck will pay for itself quickly. The added reliability and
virtual lack of maintenance over mechanical points is also a big
factor.

The prices quoted for the ignition systems are from
Performance Automotive Wholesale Inc's catalog (818-998-6000) -
from whom I mail ordered my system. I have no affiliation with
the company other than purchasing the system from them because
they had the lowest prices.

Frank Mallory

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Apr 12, 1993, 10:36:04 AM4/12/93

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CA> In general, there are 3 type of electronic ignition
CA> conversions available:
CA>
CA> 1) Capacitive Discharge types that utilize the existing points
CA> but eliminate the problem of burned points associated with
CA> regular point ignitions. The mechanical points will last a lot
CA> longer with this conversion, but sooner or later they will still
CA> need replacement (just due to mechanical wear). Example: MSD-5
CA> for $62.
CA>
CA> 2) Photo detector types that have an LED transmitter/receiver
CA> pair and a wheel that fits on the distributor shaft. The wheel
CA> slotted so it interrupts the beam as it rotates. Example: Mallory
CA> Unilite breakerless conversion system, costs $85 for Ford &
CA> Chevy. The Unilite system is small enough to fit entirely in the
CA> distributor.
CA>
CA> 3) Magnetic Pickup type that use a magnetic pickup to sense when
CA> each lobe passes. Example: Mallory #540 breakerless ignition
CA> conversion system for $75.
CA>
Do you know if anybody makes a system that combines 1) and 3) (i.e., Capacitive
Discharge with Magnetic Pickup)?

Jonathan R. Lusky

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Apr 15, 1993, 2:01:08 AM4/15/93

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>Do you know if anybody makes a system that combines 1) and 3) (i.e., Capacitive
>Discharge with Magnetic Pickup)?

I haven't seen one lately... but there is nothing to stop you from
triggering an MSD (or other CDI) from a unilite or magnetic pickup (module
still required unless you go to something like the MSD 6AL).

--
--=< Jonathan Lusky ----- lu...@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu >=--
\ "Turbos are nice, but I'd rather be blown!" /
\ 89 Jeep Wrangler - 258/for sale! /
\ 79 Rx-7 - 12A/Holley 4bbl /
\________67 Camaro RS - 350/4spd________/

Frank Mallory

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Apr 15, 1993, 10:09:34 PM4/15/93

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JR> >Do you know if anybody makes a system that combines 1) and 3) (i.e.,
JR> Capacitive
JR> >Discharge with Magnetic Pickup)?
JR> I haven't seen one lately... but there is nothing to stop you from
JR> triggering an MSD (or other CDI) from a unilite or magnetic pickup
JR> (module
JR> still required unless you go to something like the MSD 6AL).

Have you ever heard of the Per-Lux Ignitor (now marketed by Pertronix)?
It's a magnetic pickup unit that differs from the Mallory in using a switching
unit/sleeve that fits over the distributor cam. I have requested them to send me
an evaluation unit.