A mallory is usually a turned finish on the outside of body, a ford usually is just CAST finish. This should help determine what you have.

Installing points is a simple screwdriver/pliers type operation, but a dwell meter is helpful in setting them correctly. A set of feeler gages will do, but a meter is better.

The springs are a bit more involved(especially in a OEM unit). The mallory comes apart a bit easier due to the fact it is meant to happen. A OEM unit is a bit more complex (but do-able).

Larry

 

I was having similar problems on my 76 390 and
I put in new duraspark and ignition module..holley
manual choke carb and cleaned and plugged
egr system and runs great. I had purchased
MSD 6a but after listening to guys on forum
may not install. The dura and module were stock
so for me so it was just plug and play. I
am of the opinion that some drivability
issues [pinging, popping, stumbling] seem to
be carb issues when you would think
they would be timing issues. Good Luck!

 

(turns out to be stock dizzy)

I just put new points, rotor and cap(brass jobbies) and reset points and timing...
I think I just picked up a tonne power(ok, maybe just driveability, but feels like power), but most definatly the old girl runs wayyyy smoother now. No hesitation off idle, all kinds of throttle response... Weeeeeeeeeee...

The contacts on the old points were badly pited and filled with some kind of residue. Cap and rotor were not bad, but, certainly not good.
Truck fired right up too. Probably cuaght on the second crank... litterally caught me off guard. Never has started that easily.

Freightrain,
thanks for convincing me to stay points... 18 bux, 20 minuits and I'm completely amazed.

Fordpilot,
I would like to believe you. I've had a couple of carb 1/4mile friends tell me it's a part throttle lean condition.

I'm gonna start a new thread with 2venturie questions... ya all please stop by.