Mallory Unilite
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 2
From: Bartlett, TN
Mallory Unilite
Doth my eyes deceive me? Will this distributor do away with the Loadomatic on my 54 239?
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...rchType=Engine
This seems too good to be true!!
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...rchType=Engine
This seems too good to be true!!
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
From: Peoria, IL (more or less)
The link only leads to Summit's search function (for me anyway), so I'm guessing a little bit here what you were looking at.
Yep, Mallory still makes a distributor for the Y. You can get it in dual-point form, the Unilite, or magnetic trigger (similar in method to the Ford Duraspark). I believe you can specify it with or without vacuum advance for all three types as well. It's the same basic housing. MSD also carries a dizzy for the Y as well. Or, you can swap a '57-'64 Ford distributor in, & even convert it to electronic if you desire.
The Unilite is a good unit in my experience but is very prone to burning out, either from miswiring, voltage spikes, or leaving the ignition on & the coil energized. I've known many, many people who have had to replace the module. With care they will work well.
I think you may have already read about this in another thread, but if your 239 oil pump has the original tang/slot drive, you will have to convert to a newer pump in order to, as Tim put it, "send your Loadomatic to sleep with the fishes."
All of the units I listed have the hex drive.
I am partial to both Mallory & MSD ignitions & have had good luck with them for the most part; as a matter of fact I have a brand spankin' new Mallory Y-block dizzy on the shelf right now. Nice piece.
Yep, Mallory still makes a distributor for the Y. You can get it in dual-point form, the Unilite, or magnetic trigger (similar in method to the Ford Duraspark). I believe you can specify it with or without vacuum advance for all three types as well. It's the same basic housing. MSD also carries a dizzy for the Y as well. Or, you can swap a '57-'64 Ford distributor in, & even convert it to electronic if you desire.
The Unilite is a good unit in my experience but is very prone to burning out, either from miswiring, voltage spikes, or leaving the ignition on & the coil energized. I've known many, many people who have had to replace the module. With care they will work well.
I think you may have already read about this in another thread, but if your 239 oil pump has the original tang/slot drive, you will have to convert to a newer pump in order to, as Tim put it, "send your Loadomatic to sleep with the fishes."
All of the units I listed have the hex drive.I am partial to both Mallory & MSD ignitions & have had good luck with them for the most part; as a matter of fact I have a brand spankin' new Mallory Y-block dizzy on the shelf right now. Nice piece.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 2
From: Bartlett, TN
I didn't get very far by clicking on the link I posted! 
I used the "by engine" search mode and went thru to the 239 Y block. The Mallory Unlite is listed for use in a 54 and 55 239 engine so I was hoping not to have to change out the oil pump.
I used the "by engine" search mode and went thru to the 239 Y block. The Mallory Unlite is listed for use in a 54 and 55 239 engine so I was hoping not to have to change out the oil pump.
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
From: Peoria, IL (more or less)
Unfortunately, if you select the 292, you will get the same part #, listed as 1956-1965. I think it's how their search engine works, combined with the wrong cross-reference. 
Going to Mallory's 2005 catalog, there are 5 listings for the Y-block.
2538701 dual point, 2638701 d-p tach drive
3738701 Unilite, 3838701 Unilite tach drive
5038701 magnetic
They do not list any vacuum advance models. They do specify that these numbers are for the 256, 272, 292, & 312, & hex drive oil pump.
In the past, Mallory has been known for being willing to do "custom" work; for example, it would probably be possible for them to make a vacuum advance Y-block unit, although it would not be cheap, or, probably, cost effective. In that case it would be cheaper to take a later Y distributor & convert it with a Unilite or Pertronix kit.
I believe a replacement pump runs about 65-70 dollars. Worth it in my view to be able to boot the Loadomatic. I bet a pump can be found cheaper, too. Or, you could source a used one & rebuild it with the Melling K-56 kit, which is on eBay often, or get it locally.
Going to Mallory's 2005 catalog, there are 5 listings for the Y-block.
2538701 dual point, 2638701 d-p tach drive
3738701 Unilite, 3838701 Unilite tach drive
5038701 magnetic
They do not list any vacuum advance models. They do specify that these numbers are for the 256, 272, 292, & 312, & hex drive oil pump.
In the past, Mallory has been known for being willing to do "custom" work; for example, it would probably be possible for them to make a vacuum advance Y-block unit, although it would not be cheap, or, probably, cost effective. In that case it would be cheaper to take a later Y distributor & convert it with a Unilite or Pertronix kit.
I believe a replacement pump runs about 65-70 dollars. Worth it in my view to be able to boot the Loadomatic. I bet a pump can be found cheaper, too. Or, you could source a used one & rebuild it with the Melling K-56 kit, which is on eBay often, or get it locally.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 2
From: Bartlett, TN
I plugged in all the years and sizes of Y blocks and they all came up with the same part number. I guess Summit doesn't have this quite down pat!
I was under the impression that I had to change the camshaft (as well as tehe oil pump) to match up with the different gearing on dizzy. I remember reading an article in a classic truck magazine stating that all I had to do was replace the gear on the bottom of a new 57 and later dizzy with the one off of my 54 239. I would wish that was true.
I was under the impression that I had to change the camshaft (as well as tehe oil pump) to match up with the different gearing on dizzy. I remember reading an article in a classic truck magazine stating that all I had to do was replace the gear on the bottom of a new 57 and later dizzy with the one off of my 54 239. I would wish that was true.
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