FORM 1185 05/05

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
®

MAGNETIC BREAKERLESS
DISTRIBUTOR
This product is applicable to pre-1966 California and pre-1968 federally certified passenger cars. It is also applicable to
non-emission controlled trucks and similar vehicles. It is not applicable or intended for use on any emission controlled vehicles
operated on highways or roads, unless otherwise noted.
IMPORTANT: Before installing the Magnetic Breakerless Ignition System, make sure that the vehicle is equipped with an
ignition ballast resistor (or loom resistance wire) in the wire between the ignition switch and the coil (+) terminal. Check a
service manual for your vehicle to locate the ignition ballast resistor (or loom resistance wire). If your vehicle is not equipped
with an ignition ballast resistor, install a Mallory Ignition Ballast Resistor Part No. 700 in the wire between the ignition switch
and the coil (+) terminal. Failure to use an ignition ballast resistor will result in the eventual destruction of the Ignition Module.
Exception: If your vehicle is equipped with a HYFIRE® Electronic Ignition Control or similar aftermarket ignition control, use the
wiring procedures as stated in the instructions for the ignition control.
WARNING: Mallory’s Magnetic Breakerless Ignition System is not compatible with positive ground or
6-volt vehicle electrical systems.

Parts Included in this kit: 1 Magnetic Breakerless Distributor 1 Distributor Wire Harness

GENERAL INFORMATION (ignition noise; static). Radio frequency interference causes

Advance Curve: false triggering (preignition; spark scatter) and premature
ignition or accessory failures.
Most Magnetic Breakerless Distributors with part numbers
that end in 01 have 24˚ (crankshaft degrees) of mechanical
advance (between 3,000 and 3,200 RPM). Listed below are OLD DISTRIBUTOR REMOVAL
exceptions: Step 1
CHRYSLER SB V8 20 AT 3,000 RPM Disconnect the trigger wire from the coil (ñ) terminal.
FLAT HEAD FORD V8 16 AT 3,600 RPM
Step 2
Ignition Coils: Locate the spark plug wire on the original distributor cap
The Magnetic Breakerless Ignition system is designed to that the engine timing is set from. See a service manual for
work with most stock ignition coils and aftermarket high these locations. Mark the distributor cap and the
performance ignition coils. For optimum performance in distributor housing, in line with this spark plug wire position
applications without a Mallory HyFire or comparable on the distributor cap.
ignition, use a Mallory coil 29219, 29450 or 30450.
Step 3
Spark Plug Gaps: Turn the engine crankshaft in the direction of rotation until
For street applications, use your engine the timing mark lines up with the top dead center (TDC)
manufacturers specifications. For racing applications, start mark on the timing tab. See a service manual for these
with your engine manufacturers specifications, then locations. NOTE: Removing the spark plugs may make it
experiment with and closely monitor various gaps to easier to turn the crankshaft.
achieve maximum performance.
Step 4
Electric Welding: Remove the distributor cap from the distributor. Do not
Unplug the distributor wire harness before welding on the remove the spark plug wires or coil wire at this time. The
vehicle. rotor blade should point to the mark made on the
distributor housing (from Step 2). If it is not, turn the engine
crankshaft in the direction of rotation one full turn
Spark Plug Wires:
(repeating Step 3) until the timing mark lines up (again) with
YOU MUST USE suppression type (carbon core; the TDC mark on the timing tab.
spiral core; radio suppression core) spark plug wire. We
NOTE: Once you are finished with Step 4, DO NOT turn
recommend spiral core ignition wire, such as Mallory PRO
the crankshaft until the new distributor is installed.
SIDEWINDER® Ignition Wire. Suppression type spark plug
wires prevent false triggering and the possibility of Step 5
premature ignition or accessory failures. DO NOT USE solid Note the direction the rotor is pointing. If you are replacing
core (copper core; stainless steel core) spark plug wire a vacuum advance distributor, note the direction the
with any electronic ignition system or accessory. Solid vacuum chamber is pointing. Remove the distributor hold
core spark plug wire causes radio frequency interference down clamp and remove the distributor from the engine.

MALLORY IGNITION www.malloryracing.com 1

MAGNETIC BREAKERLESS RED WIRE: If you are using loom resistance wire, connect to the
DISTRIBUTOR INSTALLATION coil (+) terminal.
Step 1 If you are using a ballast resistor, connect to 12 volt
Prepare the distributor by removing the distributor side of ballast resistor.
cap. GREEN WIRE: Connect to the coil (-) terminal.
BROWN WIRE: Connect to engine block ground. Clean away any
Step 2 grease, oil and paint from the mounting surface
Place the distributor in the engine with the rotor before the connection is made.
pointing in the same general direction as the original NOTE: If a HYFIRE® Electronic Ignition Control or other
distributor. aftermarket ignition control is being used, connect the
If equipped with vacuum advance, place the distributor according to the instructions supplied with the igni-
distributor in the engine with the rotor and vacuum tion control.
chamber pointing in the same general direction as the
original distributor. ADDITIONAL CONNECTIONS
If the old distributor did not have a vacuum chamber, Vacuum advance applications: Connect original
place the distributor in the engine with the rotor vacuum hose to the distributor vacuum chamber.
pointing in the same general direction as the original Replace hose if cracked, damaged, or if it is not long
distributor did, and point the vacuum chamber in a enough. If the previous distributor was not equipped
direction that will allow movement for timing with vacuum advance, connect a vacuum hose to a
purposes. ported vacuum outlet on the carburetor.
NOTE: The distributor must be fully seated into the engine. It Tachometer operation: Connect wire or wires as
may be necessary to turn the oil pump drive, or turn the recommended by the actual tachometer
engine crankshaft in the direction of rotation two full turns manufacturer.
until the timing mark lines up (again) with the TDC mark on
the timing tab, to allow the distributor to seat fully. STARTING ENGINE
Step 3 CAUTION: Be sure all tools, wires and miscellaneous objects
Rotate the distributor housing in the opposite are clear of moving engine parts and extreme heat before
direction of rotor rotation until the nearest tooth of the staring the engine.
reluctor is pointing directly at the center of the metal Step 1
pole on the magnetic pickup. This will generally put Recheck all wires and connections to make sure they
timing close enough for starting purposes. Put the are correct. Check and clean, or replace spark plugs.
distributor hold down clamp in place and tighten If replacing spark plugs, use types recommended by
slightly, leaving it loose enough to turn the distributor. the engine manufacturer.
Make a mark on the distributor housing where the Vacuum advance applications: Disconnect the
rotor points. vacuum hose to distributor vacuum chamber at the
Step 4 carburetor and temporarily plug this carburetor fitting.
Install the distributor cap. Remove the spark plug Step 2
wire on the original distributor cap that the engine Connect a timing light. Find the area with the best
timing is set from, and install it onto the distributor view of the timing marks.
cap post above the mark on the distributor housing
where the rotor had pointed. Continue installing each Step 3
remaining spark plug wire, one at a time, from the Start the engine. If it fails to start, rotate the
original distributor cap to the distributor cap in the distributor in small increments clockwise or
same sequence. counterclockwise until engine starts. Do not exceed
NOTE: It may be necessary to purchase and install distributor more than ten degrees of distributor housing rotation
boots and terminals for the spark plug wires to correctly fit in either direction.
the distributor cap. Step 4
WIRING PROCEDURE Set timing as recommended by engine manufacturer,
Make sure that your vehicle is equipped with an then tighten distributor hold down clamp. Make sure
ignition ballast resistor (or loom resistance wire) in the timing is still correct. If timing has moved, repeat this
wire between the ignition switch and the coil (+) procedure.
terminal. One easy way to find the ignition ballast Step 5
resistor is to check the service manual for your Vacuum advance applications: Reconnect the
vehicle. Example: Vehicles with a Ford TFI or Delco vacuum hose between the distributor vacuum
HEI require adding an ignition ballast resistor in the chamber and the carburetor.
wire from the ignition switch. If you find your vehicle
is not equipped with an ignition ballast resistor, install
a Mallory Ignition Ballast Resistor Part No. 700 in
series in the wire from the ignition switch. There are
three wires coming from the distributor that must be
connected using the distributor wire harness
furnished (see Figures 1 and 2).

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 FIGURE 1 WIRING DIAGRAM USING OEM PRIMARY (LOOM) RESISTANCE WIRE

ALL OTHER WIRES ORIGINALLY CONNECTED TO THE COIL (+) TERMINAL

12V/IGNITION
SWITCH
LOOM RESISTANCE WIRE
RED
DISTRIBUTOR WIRE HARNESS PART NO. 29349

IGNITION MODULE
FEMALE CONNECTOR ENGINE
BROWN GREEN
GROUND

NOTE: The purpose of resistance wire between the ignition To prevent false triggering and possi-
switch (12V) and the ignition coil positive terminal is to restrict ble premature ignition failure, you
current flow through the ignition coil. Failure to use resistance must use suppression type (carbon
wire will eventually destroy the Ignition Module. core, spiral core, or radio suppression
EXCEPTION: If your vehicle is equipped with a HYFIRE® Electronic core) spark plug wire.
Ignition Control or similar aftermarket ignition control, use the Do not use solid core (copper core or
wiring procedures stated in the instructions included with the stainless steel core) spark plug wire
ignition control. with any electronic ignition system.

FIGURE 2 WIRING DIAGRAM USING IGNITION BALLAST RESISTOR

ALL OTHER WIRES ORIGINALLY CONNECTED TO THE COIL (+) TERMINAL

12V/IGNITION
SWITCH

IGNITION BALLAST RESISTOR

RED
DISTRIBUTOR WIRE HARNESS PART NO. 29349

IGNITION MODULE
FEMALE CONNECTOR GREEN
ENGINE BROWN
GROUND

NOTE: The purpose of an ignition ballast resistor between the To prevent false triggering and possi-
ignition switch (12V) and the ignition coil positive terminal is to ble premature ignition failure, you
restrict current flow through the ignition coil. Failure to use an must use suppression type (carbon
ignition ballast resistor will eventually destroy the Ignition core, spiral core, or radio suppression
Module. core) spark plug wire.
EXCEPTION: If your vehicle is equipped with a HYFIRE® Electronic Do not use solid core (copper core or
Ignition Control or similar aftermarket ignition control, use the stainless steel core) spark plug wire
wiring procedures stated in the instructions included with the with any electronic ignition system.
ignition control.

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 FIGURE 3 WIRING DIAGRAM USING MALLORY COIL 29219, 29450,30450 ONLY

ALL OTHER WIRES ORIGINALLY CONNECTED TO THE COIL (+) TERMINAL

12V/IGNITION
SWITCH

RED
DISTRIBUTOR WIRE HARNESS PART NO. 29349

IGNITION MODULE
FEMALE CONNECTOR ENGINE
BROWN GREEN
GROUND

EXCEPTION: If your vehicle is equipped with a HYFIRE® Electronic To prevent false triggering and possi-
Ignition Control or similar aftermarket ignition control, use the ble premature ignition failure, you
wiring procedures and coil recommendation stated in the must use suppression type (carbon
instructions included with the ignition control. core, spiral core, or radio suppression
core) spark plug wire.
SPECIAL NOTE: When using this distributor with a Mallory Do not use solid core (copper core or
HYFIRE® or similar ignition system, you must follow the wiring stainless steel core) spark plug wire
diagram for the ignition system. You should also use the correct with any electronic ignition system.
coil as recommended by the ignition control manufacturer.

The diagrams shown above are for use when the vehicle is
equipped with just a distributor and coil.
AUTOMOTIVE DISTRIBUTOR SERVICE PARTS
Module Cap Rotor Cap/Rotor Kit Harness Vacuum Adv. Wire Retainer
8 Cylinder Applications With Standard Cap
42 Series 609 208M 307M 29349 29332 29314
50 Series 609 209M 309 2091M 29349
57 Series 609 209M 310 2091M 29349 29332
8 Cylinder Applications With Flat Cap
50 Series 609 221 318 29349
57 Series 609 221 318 29349 29332
(Note- 32-48 Ford- Use cap 221A instead)
8 Cylinder Applications With COMP 9000 Cap
87 Series 609 29745 29736 29349 29333-L (LH) 29744
29333-R (RH)
6 Cylinder Applications With Standard Cap (Except Semi-Even and Odd-Fire Engines)
50 Series 609 270 309 29349
57 Series 609 270 310 29349 29332
4 Cylinder Applications With Standard Cap (Except Mini Bowl)
50 Series 609 271 309 2094M 29349
57 Series 609 271 310 2094M 29349 29332
MARINE DISTRIBUTOR SERVICE PARTS
8 Cylinder Applications With Standard Cap
YLM Series 609 209D 309 29349
8 Cylinder Applications With Flat Cap
YLM Series 609 221B 318 29349
6 Cylinder Applications With Standard Cap (Except Semi-Even and Odd-Fire Engines)
YLM Series 609 270B 309 29349
4 Cylinder Applications With Standard Cap (Except Mini Bowl)
YLM Series 609 271B 309 29349

FORM 1185
MALLORY IS A DIVISION OF THE MR. GASKET PERFORMANCE GROUP
05/05
10601 MEMPHIS AVE. #12, CLEVELAND, OH 44144
Made in U.S.A.
216.688.8300 FAX 216.688.8306
Printed in U.S.A.

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