mallory

When I first started thinking of a distributor upgrade for my VW, the first thing that popped into my head as far as "High Performance" was the MSD system. Heck, and why not? Almost everyone that has a serious stroker motor is running one. I figured it had to be better than my 009 with the points replacement in it. Lucky for me, another option surfaced in the VW market.

The Mallory dual advance distributor was exactly what I was looking for. It not only had a fully adjustable centrifugal advance like the MSD, but it also has a fully adjustable vacuum advance also! Best of both worlds right there! Not only that, but unlike the MSD distributor that needs a MSD box to make it work, the Mallory will work with, AND without a CDI upgrade! So if you just want full timing control of your stocker motor, but dont want to invest in a distributor that needs other parts to work, this fits the bill! I am not trying to 'slam' the MSD, it is a very nice unit, a high quality piece, but the addition of an adjustable vacuum advance, and not needing any other parts to work, wins it in my book.

    Installation was a snap! It utilizes the stock VW distributor clamp and everything, so it slips right in. Wired it up, and after I got it fired up I started playing with the advancement.

     Out of the box, if I set the total advance to 32 degrees (without vacuum advance), it would go down to 12 degrees at idle. I bought the accessory kit with extra springs and such, so I could go all out with the adjusting. Changing the springs wasn't all that fun, the rotor was tough to pry out (I was afraid of breaking it, until I pried up both sieds at a time), and the optical sensor had to be removed, along with the vacuum canister. Once they were out, it was easy, I looked at all the different diagrams that came with the spring kit, and picked the advance curve that suited my taste. (At least they had all the advance curves mapped out so it did help take some of the trial and error out of it).

     Adjusting the vacuum advance was really easy. Just insert an allen wrench into the vacuum port on the distributor, and turn. This one will be a bit more of trial and error, since vehicles vacuum curves are all but imposible to plot.   As long as it's easy to adjust this one, I don't mind.

Overall, the distributor is a very well built unit. The fit and finish is superb, and really looks right at home in the VW engine compartment. I'm sure it will take a while to get it completely 'tweaked' out, but already I am very pleased with it. At a cost about $280, it will set you back, but for someone like me, I see it as a great investment. If you want to order one, get ahold of John at Aircooled.Net. Be forewarned, they do take a little bit longer to get in, due to the fact that Mallory makes them at a 'Build to order' rate. Took a few weeks to get mine in.