Promaster Distributor Instruction Manual
Pg: 2-4: Ford Applications: Part #: 8350M, 8352M, 8354M
Pg: 5-8: GM Applications: Part #: 8360M, 8361M
Mallory-Ignition.com
FORM INST8577M 05/12
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
PROMASTER® SERIES - FORD
PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE INSTALLING.
You should always disconnect the battery, negative lead first, before working on the ignition system. When
you are done reconnect the battery installing the negative lead first.
Included with the distributor:
1 – Machined Ford V8 Distributor
1 - Rotor
1 - Distributor Cap
1 - Wire Retainer
2 - 1.5” Self Tapping Screws
1 - Advance Kit
1 - Tube of Gear Lubricant
1 - O-Ring
1 - Vacuum Advance Lock-Out Kit
(if equipped with vacuum advance)
HOW TO INSTALL THE DISTRIBUTOR
1. Disconnect the trigger wire from the coil (-) terminal.
Locate the spark plug wire on the original distributor
cap that that is used to set engine timing. See a
service manual for this location. Mark the distributor
cap and distributor housing at this spark plug wire
position.
2. Turn the engine crankshaft in the direction of rotation
until the timingmark lines up with the top dead center
(TDC) mark on the timing tab. See a service manual
for these locations.
3. Remove the distributor cap from the distributor. Do
not remove the sparkplug wires or coil wire at this
time. Make sure the rotor blade points to the mark
made on the distributor housing (from Step 2). If it
does not, repeat Step 2 until the timing mark lines
up (again) with the TDC markon the timing tab.
NOTE: Once you are finished with Step 3, DO NOT turn the
crankshaft until the new distributor is installed.
4. Note the direction that the rotor is pointing. If you
are replacing a vacuumadvance distributor, note the
direction the vacuum chamber is pointing. Remove
the distributor hold down clamp and remove the
distributor fromthe engine.
indicates that the lower end of the distributor shaft is
not properly aligned with the oil pump drive rod. Do
not attempt to force the distributor into position.
6. Reinstall the hold-down clamp and thread the bolt
just enough to exert a very slight pressure against the
distributor. If the distributor was not firmly seated,
manually rotate the engine until the distributor drops
down into place.
7. With the distributor properly seated, tighten the
hold-down bolt just enough so that the distributor is
held in place, but can still be rotated with a little effort.
8. Remove the plug wires one at a time from the old cap
and install them in the corresponding positions of the
new cap. After all wires have been transferred, verify
that the wire in the terminal post that is aligned with the
rotor leads to number one cylinder. If you are unsure of
cylinder number position or firing order, this information
can be found in the service manual that covers your
particular engine. Put on the distributor cap.
9. Reconnect the wiring lead from the distributor to the
ignition switch. At this time you can begin timing.
5. Lower the new distributor into position. The rotor
should be aimed at the same fixed point as was the
rotor from the old distributor. After the new distributor has been lowered into place, you may find that it
hasn’t seated firmly against the intake manifold. This
ADVANCE BUSHINGS
There are 3 different advance bushings included in
the hardware package. The distributor comes with a 21º
bushing already installed. If a different degree of advance is
desired, follow the procedures to change the bushings.
BUSHING SIZE
18
O
21
O
25
O
28
O
HOW TO SET UP THE ADVANCE BUSHINGS
HOW TO SET UP THE VACUUM ADVANCE LOCK
OUT ON THE #8350M, #8352M AND #8354M
DISTRIBUTORS
If you do not want to use the vacuum advance canister
of the has supplied a lockout mechanism.
1. Remove the two Allen head screws that hold the
advance canister.
2. Remove the snap ring that holds the magnetic pickup
assembly in place.
3. Gently lift up on the magnetic pickup plate and slide the
vacuum canister out.
• Take off the locknut and washer at the bottom of the
advance assembly at the bottom of the bushing pin.
• The bushing will slide off.
• Select the new bushing and install.
• Install the washer and locknut.
HOW TO SET UP THE MECHANICAL ADVANCE
LOCK OUT
1. Remove the springs, weights and the advance stop
bushing from the advance assembly.
2. Remove the roll-pin and gear at the bottom of the
distributor. Remove the roll-pin and stop collar at
bottom of distributor housing.
3. Lift the shaft at least two inches out of the housing, but do
not remove the shaft.
4. Turn the shaft 180º so the bushing pin slides into the
small hole on the advance plate.
5. Put the locknut and washer back onto the advance
bushing pin, which locks the advance in place.
4. Install the Lockout Plate in place of the canister. Install
the two retaining screws.
5. Install the supplied screw and washer through the Lockout
and tighten.
6. It is important to make sure the pickup plate is parallel
with the housing of the distributor. If it is cocked or
slanted, the paddles of the reluctor may contact the
pickup. Check the clearance by rotating the distributor
shaft. If necessary, use the supplied shims under the
lockout hold-down to correctly position the pickup plate.
NOTE: IF NO SHIMS WERE REQUIRED, USE ONE BENEATH THE
WASHER OF THE LOCK-OUT HOLD DOWN SCREW.
NOTE: DO NOT FORGET TO PLUG THE ORIGINAL VACUUM ADVANCE
HOSE.
HOW TO WIRE THE READY-TO-RUN #8350M,
#8352M AND #8354M DISTRIBUTOR
Red lead to coil (+) positive
Orange lead to coil (-) negative
Black lead with the larger ring terminal to engine ground.
6. Install stop collar and roll-pin. Install the drive gear and
roll-pin.
NOTE: The #8352M and #8579M distributors for the 221-302
engines are supplied with an iron drive gear for use with
a flat tappet camshaft only. If you are using either of these
NOTE: WHEN INSTALLING A HIGH PERFORMANCE IGNITION
SYSTEM WITH THIS DISTRIBUTOR, PLEASE REFER TO THE
INSTRUCTIONS THAT COME WITH THE IGNITION CONTROL
BOX. THIS DISTRIBUTOR HAS THE CORRECT COLOR CODE.
distributors in a late model 5.0L engine equipped with a
hydraulic roller camshaft or an earlier engine retrofitted
with a hydraulic roller camshaft you will need to change to
a steel alloy drive gear #29418PD. If you are using either
of these distributors in an engine equipped with a billet
mechanical roller camshaft you will need to change to a
bronze alloy drive gear #29429PD.