New dizzy guts installation and other questions.

[72bumbee]

I've been doing a bit of research and just general internet searches for all the Mallory Unilite ignition module information I can find.
In retrospect one instance stands out in my mind,several years ago my starter positive wire got melted by the headers and was arcing and not starting at one point. I had it towed into my local garage and had them put original exhaust headers on the motor and all new dual exhaust pipes in clear to the rear sides. While he was doing that, i had a crate 360 engine dropped in also with a new water pump and power steering unit... i digress, but want you to know everything to make an informed conclusion...so everything on the engine was replaced after the new motor went in the intake, starter, carburetor, alternator, hoses, belts etc, etc.....
I noticed on one review i was reading that a bad starter motor may be what has fried my Mallory Unilite. that's all water under the bridge, and 113 bucks...but the truck still cranks just fine. even when it starts it sounds strong and normal. could there be something wrong with it you think?
My real question here is how easy will it be to go BACK to the standard ignition system (everything under the dizzy cap? will i need any special wiring or a new stalk that is under the cap? Is there a chance of finding a how to on this site? You tube videos just confuse me and are rarely accurate. would a chiltons manual be helpful in this regard?
I'm still under the impression that i need to understand what happened to that damn Mallory unilite !!
I'm still open to a walkthrough you helped me through with the intake manifold gasket replacement!
Thanks again Everyone!

[72bumbee]

ALSO........ what is the possibility that the Mallory is salvageable???

[72bumbee]

Here is the little devil......
BTW... didn't there used to be a picture resizer listed here somewhere? I cant find it and the one I have is hard to control.

[sargentrs]

BTW... didn't there used to be a picture resizer listed here somewhere? I cant find it and the one I have is hard to control.

I usually just use MS Paint and resize the pic to 800x600 pixels (8"x6") and that usually does it and still gives you a decent size photo to see online.

My real question here is how easy will it be to go BACK to the standard ignition system (everything under the dizzy cap? will i need any special wiring or a new stalk that is under the cap?

Personally, I would just convert to an OEM Duraspark electronic ignition system. You can do it for about, or less than, the cost of the Unilite or a Pertronix unit. Go to RockAuto.com and select a 1977 F150 truck with your engine. Pick the electronic ignition distributor and ignition box. Then you can make your own harness, get one from a junkyard, or buy the American Autowire harness. https://www.summitracing.com/search/bra ... w=SKU&ar=1 I would wire it with a relay to pull source voltage from the battery. The rest is pretty much plug 'n play. I've done it to every vintage Ford vehicle I've owned. I'd be happy to walk you through it if you decide to go that route.

[72bumbee]

Thanks for such a comprehensive answer to my somewhat convoluted question! I love hearing how to build a better mousetrap or an otherwise unheard of approach.
My problem is that I am now broke and I’m unable to purchase any of those things right now.
Any less expensive approaches out there? The wiring harness alone is too much, after frying that last Unilite module ($113) is there any chance that my alternator or starter could be the problem? I’ve seen two different write ups on the MSD site that claims the starter motor or alternator were causing their Unilite to fry....
Just very curious to hear other things to look at rather than using the scatter gun approach.
Still have not found my multimeter either.
Thanks again for all the help!

[sargentrs]

Sorry, no clue

[72bumbee]

Well................. Now I did it... I was taking the Unilite module out and dropped the little tiny screw and it fell down inside the distributor body and i took the whole thing apart and basically destroyed it.
this is out of my skill set now so looking for a new distributor that will fit in place of the original and not be as sensitive as the old one! HAHA!!

[colnago]

I don't see how the starter could have done anything, and probably not the alternator. Maybe a bad voltage regulator? What does your battery measure out to?

As far as the dizzy, you should be able to get the Duraspark setup (dizzy, coil, box, harness pigtails) at RockAuto for less than the $113 for a new Mallory module.

Joseph

[72bumbee]

Thanks Joseph,
On my other topic above, I dropped the LMC truck parts original and went with an MSD drop in unit. The MSD site took PayPal so I just figured I’d go that route and pay later... much later...
hoping I won’t need much additional wiring or spark plug wires, or coil. I have a new alternator and will pop it in next weekend.
I put in my new firewall harness that has the oil pressure sending unit, water temp and ignition to coil. My old one was toast.