Kirk:
Thanks for the information, it will be very helpful when I get ready to make
my purchase. Many of my friends tried to steer me towards a GM or
aftermarket HEI, but I just don't want to chop up my firewall to put it in.
Prices on HEI's seem to range from $140-170 so $200 for a Mallory doesn't
sound that bad. I'll also look into the 'accessories' you mentioned when
I'm closer to making my purchase.
Bought my truck over 2 years ago and from what I can determine it has an
early to mid-60's 283 that is mostly stock. Original exhaust manifolds, a
cast intake with a very old Holly 600 CFM 4 barrel carb (so old it's hard to
get parts for). I'm not into performance, just cruising and took a major
step forward this year when I replaced the old 3 speed auto tranny with a
2004R 4 speed auto with lockup converter. Made the truck alot more fun to
drive with good acceleration from stop signs and only 2000 RPM at 65 MPH!
I plan to replace the intake and carb this winter with an Edelbrock
Performer intake (good performance from idle to 5500 RPM, not that I'd ever
run it that hard), and an Edelbrock 600 CFM 4 barrel carb with electric
choke. Will also throw away the original accelerator pedal and linkage and
replace with a new Lokar pedal and cable.
I just posted some updated pictures of my truck on the chevytruck.org
website. If you're interested, go to the Photos section on the site, select
1956, hit go and my truck is 2nd or 3rd down the list.
Again, thanks for the information and good luck with your project!!
Carl Ham
'56 Chevy TF Stepside
Pontiac, IL
>From: "kirk pierce" <kpierce@charter.net>
>To: "Carl & Becky Ham" <the_hams@hotmail.com>
>Subject: Re: [oletrucks] Mallory Distributor
>Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2002 21:53:33 -0600
>
>Carl,
>
>The mallory I bought was purchased in the early 1980's and used in a '72
>Mercury with a hopped up 351 Cleveland. I parked the car in the 90's when
>it something started knocking. Finally sold it to some fellows that
>stripped it and started racing dirt track using the same motor. My brother
>saw the car race and said the engine still ran good. It still had the
>mallory unilite in it.
>
>I bought the cheaper unit without mechanical advance. I will probably pay
>a
>few more dollars for my chevy and get the vacume advance. It will be a
>while (maybe a year even) before I get around to the motor... right now
>everthing is off the frame and being restored piece by piece.
>
>I also found a T5 transmission for 60.00 bucks and plan to put that in
>behind the 283 so I can shift a little faster. You are right on when you
>point out that the HEI will not fit with the v8. That is exacltly the
>reason I will not consider GM HEI. It looks like the current mallory
>unilite is still small enough to fit. However, some of the Mallory dual
>point distributors look too big. I recommend the unilite. Following is
>some information taken fom the Summit Racing web site at
>www.summitracing.com
>
> "This Mallory Unilite distributor gives you accurate, maintenance free
>ignition timing. Instead of an old- fashioned points system, the
>Unilite has a photo optic LED triggering system that never varies or wears
>out. You get increased rpm potential, improved combustion, longer spark
>plug
>life, and better cold weather starting. Hooking up a Unilite is a simple
>three-wire connection. The Unilite comes with self-lubricating bushings and
>a Super Duty cap and rotor."
>
>Part number at Summit is MAA-4748201 and cost is $199.95. However, they
>recommend a ballast resistor and a power filter for which I saw no price.
>Best to talk to their techies before purchase. I did notice a conversion
>kit to convert your points type distributor to the unilite breakerless
>system. It was considerably cheaper. In my case (considering the mileage
>on my 283) I will spring for the entire unit.
>
>I have no affiliation with Summit and there may be better prices available,
>I just like their parts lookup and I can remember their web site name.
>
>Do you plan to increase the performance of your 283 or leave it mostly
>stock? Either way, I think a modern ignition will increase reliability and
>usability.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Carl & Becky Ham" <the_hams@hotmail.com>
>To: <kpierce@charter.net>
>Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2002 12:49 PM
>Subject: Re: [oletrucks] Mallory Distributor
>
>
> > Kirk:
> >
> > How soon will you be switching to a Mallory distributor in your '57? I
>plan
> > on doing the same thing to my '56 with a 283 this winter. I have the
> > original points/condensor distributor but the vacuum advance is shot and
>I'd
> > rather replace the whole thing. I thought about going with an HEI, but
>it's
> > too close to the firewall and I don't want to mess with the sheetmetal.
>Any
> > advice you could give about model, price and etc. would be appreciated.
> > Please reply, Thanks,
> >
> > Carl Ham
> > '56 Chevy TF Stepside
> > Pontiac, IL
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > >From: "kirk pierce" <kpierce@charter.net>
> > >Reply-To: "kirk pierce" <kpierce@charter.net>
> > >To: "Deve Krehbiel" <dkrehbiel@cox.net>
> > >CC: "OleTrucks mailing List" <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
> > >Subject: Re: [oletrucks] Opinions Wanted
> > >Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2002 20:28:35 -0600
> > >
> > >Different application, but my $.02...
> > >I used a Mallory unilite in a '72 Mercury with 351 Cleveland engine.
>The
> > >upgrade to the Mallory made a tremendous difference in high rpm
> > >performance.
> > >Didn't hurt gas mileage either.
> > >
> > >I plan on using Mallory again in my '57 1/2 ton with 283. This time I
>will
> > >pay the extra bucks for a vacuum advance unit.
> > >
> > >----- Original Message -----
> > >From: "Deve Krehbiel" <dkrehbiel@cox.net>
> > >To: <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
> > >Sent: Monday, November 11, 2002 7:00 PM
> > >Subject: [oletrucks] Opinions Wanted
> > >
> > >
> > > > I am doing some detail work on my 2nd frame up truck and would like
>to
> > >know
> > > > what high performance distributor is good... the Mallory Dual Point
>(and
> > >are
> > > > the point sets hard to find?) or the Electronic. Also, where do you
>get
> > > > chrome timing covers and some of the other chrome engine detailing.
>This
> > >is
> > > > for a 1959 261 engine. I am already planning on a Dual Intake and
> > >headers
> > > > for dual exhaust. I am new to this so any opinions, ideas, pitfalls
>I
> > >should
> > > > watch out for, etc is greatly appreciated. This is going in my 50
> > >Frame-Up
> > > > (#2). I plan on driving this truck alot and towing a trailer behind
>it
> > >with
> > > > my other 50 frame-up in it to truck shows. So I want a strong engine
> > >that
> > > > looks great. Also, my road tube is in bad shape so I wondered about
> > >taking
> > > > this opportunity to install a PCV system. Whats involved in that?
>And..
> > >my
> > > > 261 has no oil filter (but has the huge oil lines) and I was
>wondering
> > >if
> > > > there is a screw-on type oil filter solution available or what
>others
> > >have
> > > > done for an oil filter.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks!
> > > >
> > > > Deve
> > > > www.speedprint.com/Deves50
> > > > oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and
>1959
> > >oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
> >
> >
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