Adjusting the Mallory Model A Distributor YL11A2

this is part of a conversation i followed over at the Fordbarn.com regarding Mallory YL11A2 Distributors...

Setting the timing with a Mallory distributor is fairly easy.. The easiest way is when the timing pin drops in place, where ever the rotor tip is pointing will be number one time. The distributor can easily be rotated as in modern cars and set the plug wires as needed. The firing order is 1243 . I tune mine by ear, some buy a kit and use a timing light . I set mine as advanced as I can without starter kickback when cranking and no timing knocks. A little tweaking or rotating as needed with the timing will get er done, works for me. Usually the rotor tip ends up pointing where number 4 would normally be. If you want number one timing to be where it would be with the model A distributor , it will be more complicated. You will need to remove the valve cover and the oil pump and distributor drive assembly. With the drive assembly removed, you can stick a long straight blade screwdriver down through the head and down to the oil pump and turn the pump as needed for the drive assembly to align as necessary for the rotor to align as wanted. The points cam isn't adjustable on the Mallory distributors.

The only part that I have ever needed with my Mallory distributors was the condenser. I am using Ford V8 condensers with mine., the same condenser used with the so called modern points that the model A venders sell.. Bubbas ignition has Mallory parts but I don't have an address or phone number.

I got my first Mallory distributor from Harrys model A parts in Oregon in the early 90s . Harry told me that They had run these distributors for over 30.000 miles without having to do anything. Mine have been trouble free. This is the distributor that was used in the dyno tests with the Brumfield heads back in the ninties. The dual point Mallory was shown to give horsepower increases at low to mid RPM range. I had installed float-A-motor mounts in the coupe and there was quiet a bit of cl;utch chatter when taking off. After installing the Mallory distributor, the chatter went away completely. I was talking to Ken Miller and he felt that the Mallory distributor advanced so smoothly that it removed the chatter. Just an example of the smoothness of the advance. 

 

Mallory 24895 Condenser for YL 11A2 Distributor

Source:  http://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=140570

Distributor: Mallory Interchangeable Parts

Since there have been a few threads lately about the old brown or black 2 piece Mallory caps and buying them at swap meets, I thought I’d share a little info to help make sure you get the correct rotor for the cap. Yes, there is a difference.

Somewhere along the line Mallory made a change to the contacts on the inside of the cap. Initially they were simply flat on the bottom of the contact. Then they made them with a notch. This change required that the contact strip on the rotor be shortened. If you put an “old” long rotor under a “newer” cap, it will hit. I’ll show you the difference in rotors in the pictures.

From what I can tell, all the brown caps are the older flat type contact. The 8 cylinder caps have the part number 24004 cast into the inside. Sometime after the switch to the black plastic cap, they changed the contact design. When they made this change, they also changed the part number in the cap to be 4004. They simply ground off the 2 on the old design’s number, which can easily be seen on most caps. Of the approximately dozen black caps that I have owned, I only have 1 black cap that is the older 24004 style. Now, when I say that the newer cap has a 4004 number, that is NOT the number that the cap is marketed/sold under. That is simply the part number of the LOWER section of the cap. The whole 2 piece unit is actually 4001. I do not know the part number for the “older” variety, maybe 24001?

Now the rotors. I am aware of 3 different versions. The longer one used with the 24004 flat contact cap, and 2 other short variations that are interchangeable and used with the 4004 cap. The longer version that goes with the flat contact 24004 cap has the number 24215B cast into it. The contact strip has a fat tip, and under the contact strip is a piece of spring steel that allows the strip to flex up and down on the rivet. The rotors I have seen like this have all been brown. The other 2 shorter versions used on the 4004 cap both have the 4215 cast into them, again showing signs of where the 2 and B of the earlier style were removed. One version has a fat tip, and the other has a narrow tip. None have the spring steel and are solidly riveted in place. All the fat tip ones I’ve seen are brown. I’ve seen both brown and black narrow tips. The actual part number on a package for the short rotor is 4215C. I’d assume the “older” long part number would be 24215 and a letter?

In the pictures of the rotors, the left is the longer 24215B version. The other 2 are the short varieties. I’ve also shown a picture of the many different types of packaging the rotors where in over the years to help you spot them at swap meets.

I couldn’t get any good close up pictures to show the differences in the contacts, but in the brown cap photo, you can at least see where the number is located. Again, I’ve also shown a picture of 2 different boxes the caps came in.

I hope this helps you get the correct cap and rotor for your Mallory. I’m not an expert in Mallory’s by any means, just a guy who’s got a fetish for them. Some guys like wheels, some gauges, some intakes. I like 2 piece Mallorys.

Source: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=238386&highlight=mallory+cap

TECH: How to convert a mallory YL dual points distributor to electronic

this is a thread from over on jalopyjournal.com that i thought i would file for later...i just got an NOS Mallory YL Ignition Distributor from my friend Earl Reynolds...with NOS ignition wires....

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Hello tom here.... Thought id share some pictures I took while converting the distributor....its pretty damn easy too.

First things first get yourself a good useable mallory dual point distributor... Next order your self a petronix ignitor conversion kit pictures below... About 80 dollhairs



Then select the tools you'll need for the job



Then grab your distributor and inspect it...



Then gently remove all the old dual points crapolla inside... Remember be gentle



Once you have all that shiznit out you can install the petronix igntor and pull the writes through the existing hole



ThenYou get the the supplied cup and press it on







Then get your rotor and press that in, there is a spacer if you need it... I actually don't have the right one but just put it on for reference





Then reinstall the cap and your done



If I can do it anyone can... Hope this helps

Tom

__________________
my 31 ford tudor V

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=369296

COME ON 49ers!!!!

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Last edited by tomcantdoit; 06-26-2011 at 10:10 PM.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=602518