ClassicCar

MikeWA

Looking at a Mallory distributor for my '48. Its an old custom, and the Mallory would be appropriate from that standpoint. My question is, what is the advantage of dual points? Does it really work better than the stock distributor (not that I have any complaints about mine at present)? Point sets seem to be readily available on eBay. Should I get the distributor?

Park_W

The dual points arrangement such as used in the Mallorys provides a longer "dwell" (points closed) time, allowing more buildup of the magnetic field in the coil so it produces a hotter spark when the points open. If you tried to contour the cam in a single-point distributor to have a longer dwell time (actually measured in degrees of shaft rotation, not time), the movement of the points would have to be a bit more "violent," and the points would float at high RPM. Using two sets of points, connected in parallel and offset slightly in their opening and closing time, provides the extra dwell without requiring more violent motion of the movable points. But the short answer to your question is: there's no advantage for a normally driven car. For an engine with higher compression and being driven in competition, the extra spark intensity is helpful.

51hornetA

There is one that will fit on ebay right now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1948-56-Hudson-6cyl-Rare-Mallary-Twin-Point-Distributor_W0QQitemZ150097167986QQihZ005QQcategoryZ34205QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Probably need the matching Mallory coil to complete the look. You will get better performance from a Pertronix setup but this looks good under the hood.

51hornetA wrote: »

You will get better performance from a Pertronix setup QUOTE]

there are pertronix kits for mallory,i can dig up the contact info if you want.

51hornetA

Thats cool. I have the Pertronix kit in my stock distributor so I am good to go on that and would not spend the extra bucks to find a Mallory distributor and put Ignitor in it unless I guess I was going for looks as the Mallory distributor looks good and mean under the hood.

hornet53

Is it possible to use the Mallory on a six volt system? Would I see any performance increase?

51hornetA

The Mallory I listed is a 6V distributor. And going with a Pertronix upgrade will give you better performance than a stock Mallory dual point.

Park_W

It's really just the coil that makes it a 6v or 12v ignition system. Points and condenser are usually the same (I had a Mallory on my '38H8 back in the fifties). The Mallory would likely make more of a difference in a 6v system, since the spark voltage is more marginal that with a 12v system.

MikeWA

I didn't even think about voltage- mine's 12 volt- you'd need a 12 volt coil, of course, but is anything else voltage-specific in a distributor? Condensor? So many questions. . .

464Saloon

I would suggest the Pertronix, you can get them in 6v or 12v and they work great.

Park_W

Let me modify my comment above, about the points and condenser being the same. That will be true where the 6v and the 12v coil have similar characteristics. The voltage rating of the condenser is adequate to serve in either a 6v or a 12v system. The key thing is that the condenser be matched to the coil being used. You'll find Mallory condensers that are to be used with their coils, and they do need to be matched. The coil and the condenser characteristics are chosen so that they create a good resonant circuit. Without going into what that means, suffice it to say that this resonant circuit is responsible for the powerful, long-duration spark that's needed to properly fire the fuel-air mixture. Want to see how important it is? Disconnect or remove the condenser and observe how "anemic" the spark is. So ... the condenser (its capacitance value) must be matched to the characteristics of the coil.

hornet53

464Saloon wrote:

I would suggest the Pertronix, you can get them in 6v or 12v and they work great.

Part number and price for the Pertronix 6V kit? Installs in my OEM dist. right? Very interested... wasn't aware before now, or it would be done.

51hornetA

Part number will be 1362P6 and cost about 100 bucks and you will be point free and running smoother.

ESSX28-1 · ESSX28-1 March 2007 Posts: 994Platinum Member

51hornetA wrote:

Part number will be 1362P6 and cost about 100 bucks and you will be point free and running smoother.

Anyone know if these PerTronix units can be used in the '28 & '29 Essex Super Six motors (Auto.Lite IB4001 Dizzie - No vacuum advance/retard) & if there is any advantage to doing so? Thanks Dave Y

hornet53

thanks! it's on my list!

ivanz62

I have used a 6v Pertronix and had some trouble starting from cold in the morning--seemed the voltage at cranking speed--maybe a little under 5 volts on a cold morning that seems within Hudson spec--was not enough to fire the ignition. Wouldn't start. Used a seperate 6v battery for the ignition and it was just fine! Anyone else have this trouble? Comments?

Nevada Hudson

After reading these posts, looked through all my old distributors. Found an old Mallory. Numbers; Type 253C, Model Z3M . In the center it reads; Points 024; Dwell 29. Does anyone know what it fits?

51hornetA

Started my Hudson the other day and thats up here in Canada. Car was in detached garage and it was only 2 above zero here. I have the Optima 6V battery in mine cranked and started right away. Have the 1362P6 ignitor in mine.

mars55

Nevada Hudson wrote:

After reading these posts, looked through all my old distributors. Found an old Mallory. Numbers; Type 253C, Model Z3M . In the center it reads; Points 024; Dwell 29. Does anyone know what it fits?

It's probably best to ask Mallory. Here is their Tech Support question site.

http://www.malloryracing.com/AskTechFormMallory.aspx?brandId=6

half baked

i am the one that won the ebay auction mallory from the gibson/binks boat. sorry but i couldnt let you yanks have that one! the model no is yc 253c. yc refers to the model of distributor from mallory themselves- the number is the application reference, 253 being hudson and the final suffix refers to advance, whether it is mechanical or vac or locked whatever.in case of "c" it is centrifugal. this is just from what ive picked up flicking through mallory literature. so nevada hudson your Z3M 253C should fit a hudson

ps jeff ill make out my btown bank cheque tomorrow when i go pay the bills

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