Mallory Ignition Mallory PERFORMANCE REPLACEMENT DISTRIBUTOR User Manual

FORM #1389 (REV. B) 09/03

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

PERFORMANCE REPLACEMENT DISTRIBUTOR

PERFORMANCE REPLACEMENT DISTRIBUTORS, SERIES NO. 79

AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS

VEHICLE YR. CYL. VEHICLE APPLICATION 5.0L PART NO. 5.8L PART NO.

FORD PASSENGER CARS

1987-91 V8 Full Size 7970404 7968704
1991-93 V8 Mustang Except Cobra 7970404 7968704
1987-90 V8 Mustang 7970404 7968704
1985-86 V8 Mustang w/TFI-EEC IV 7970404 7968704
1987-88 V8 Thunderbird 7970404 7968704
1985-86 V8 Thunderbird w/TFI-EEC IV 7970404 7968704
1985-86 V8 All w/TFI-EEC IV 7970404 7968704

LINCOLN-CONTINENTAL

1985-92 V8 All w/TFI-EEC IV 7970404 7968704

1984 V8 Continental w/TFI-EEC IV 7970404 7968704

MERCURY PASSENGER CARS

1985-91 V8 All w/TFI-EEC IV Except Cougar 7970404 7968704
1987-88 V8 Cougar 7970404 7968704

FORD LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND VANS
PICKUP F 100-350 SERIES. BRONCO. VAN E 100-350 SERIES.

1984-94 V8 ALL W/TFI-EEC IV

and distributor mounted ignition module

7970404 7968704

PARTS INCLUDED WITH THIS KIT:

1 Distributor (ready to run)

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Factory spark plug wire assemblies install directly onto the Pro Cap without
modifications.

• Factory distributor harness connects directly to the ignition module.

• Factory distributor ignition modules and stators interchange with the
Performance Replacement Distributor ignition modules and stators.

• The distributor drive gear is compatible with standard flat tappet (proferal
billet) and hydraulic roller tappet (selectively austempered ductile iron
billet) camshafts.

• An optional (stack) Distributor Cap Part No. 205 and Rotor Part No. 29792
are available to interchange with the Pro Cap system where the diameter
of the Pro Cap is too large.

Ignition Coils:

The Performance Replacement Distributor is designed to work with stock
ignition coils. For optimum performance, use a Mallory TFI Performance Coil
Part No. 29213 or 29214, or PROMASTER® Coil Part No. 29440 or 29625.

Electric Welding:

Unplug the distributor harness from ignition module before welding
on the vehicle.

Spark Plugs and Spark Plug Gaps:

Use your engine manufacturer's specifications.

Spark Plug Wires:
YOU MUST USE suppression type (carbon core; spiral core; suppression

core) spark plug wire. We recommend spiral core ignition wire, such as
Mallory PRO SIDEWINDER® Ignition Wire. Suppression type spark plug
wires prevent false triggering and the possibility of premature ignition or
accessory failures.

DO NOT USE solid core (copper core; stainless steel core) spark plug wire
with any electronic ignition system or accessory. Solid core spark plug wire
causes radio frequency interference (ignition noise; static). Radio frequency
interference causes false triggering (pre-ignition; spark scatter) and
premature ignition or accessory failures. Prevent false triggering and the
possibility of premature ignition or accessory failures, use suppression type
spark plug wire (carbon core; spiral core; suppression core). We recommend
spiral core ignition wire, such as Mallory PRO SIDEWINDER® Ignition Wire.

1

OLD DISTRIBUTOR REMOVAL

Step 1

Disconnect the distributor plugs from the distributor module.

WIRING PROCEDURE

Connect the distributor plugs into me distributor module.

Step 2

Locate the spark plug wire on the original distributor cap that the engine
timing is set from. See a service manual for these locations. Mark the
distributor cap and the distributor housing, in line with this spark plug wire
position on the distributor cap.

Step 3

Turn the engine crankshaft in e direction of rotation until the timing mark lines
up with the top dead center (TDC) mark on the timing tab. See a service
manual for these locations.

NOTE: Removing the spark plugs may make it easier to turn the crankshaft.

Step 4

Remove the distributor cap from the distributor. Do not remove the spark plug
wires or coil wire at this time. The rotor blade should point to the mark made
on the distributor housing (from Step 2). If it is not, turn the engine crankshaft
in the direction of rotation one full turn (repeating Step 3) until the timing
mark lines up (again) with the TDC mark on the timing tab.

NOTE: Once you are finished with step 4, DO NOT turn the crankshaft until the
new distributor is installed.

Step 5

Note the direction the rotor is pointing. Note the direction the distributor
module is facing. Remove the distributor, hold down clamp and remove the
distributor from the engine.

STARTING ENGINE

CAUTION: Be sure all tools, wires and miscellaneous objects are clear of
moving engine parts and extreme heat before starting the engine.

Step 1

Recheck all wires and connections to make sure they are correct. Check and
clean, or replace spark plugs. If replacing spark plugs, use types
recommended by the engine manufacturer.

Step 2

Connect a timing light. Find the area with the best view of the timing marks.

Step 3

Check your service manual ignition timing procedures and settings. Start the
engine. If it fails to start, rotate the distributor in small increments clockwise
or counter-clockwise until engine starts. Do not exceed more than ten degrees
of distributor housing rotation in either direction.

IMPORTANT: Follow ignition timing procedures outlined in your service
manual. Some vehicles require putting the ignition timing in bypass mode
by disconnecting a wire connector as part of the ignition timing procedure.

Step 4

Set timing as recommended by engine manufacturer and outlined in your
service manual, then tighten distributor hold down clamp. Make sure timing is
still correct. If timing has moved, repeat this procedure.

PERFORMANCE REPLACEMENT
DISTRIBUTOR INSTALLATION

Step 1

Remove the distributor cap.

Step 2

Place the distributor in the engine with the rotor pointing in the same general
direction as the original distributor.

NOTE: The distributor must be fully seated into the engine. It may be
necessary to turn the oil pump drive, or turn the engine crankshaft in the
direction of rotation two full turns until the timing mark lines up (again) with
the TDC mark on the timing tab, to allow the distributor to seat fully.

Step 3

Rotate the distributor housing until distributor module is facing the same
general direction as the original distributor was facing.

This will generally give timing close enough for starting purposes. Put the
distributor hold down clamp in place and tighten slightly, leaving it loose
enough to turn the distributor. Make a mark on he distributor housing where
the rotor points.

Step 4

Install the distributor cap. Remove the spark plug wire on the original
distributor cap that the engine timing is set from, and install it into the
distributor cap post above the mark on the distributor housing where the rotor
had pointed. Continue installing each remaining spark plug wire, one at a time,
from original distributor cap to the distributor cap in the same sequence.

Performance Replacement Distributors, Series No. 79

TUNE-UP AND SERVICE PARTS

DIST. ROTOR IGNITION WIRE DIST. CAP DIST. BOOT AND

CAP MODULE RETAINER ADAPTER TERMINAL KIT

29745 29736 613 29744 29748 669

NOTE: Factory distributor ignition modules and stators interchange with
the Performance Replacement Distributor ignition modules and stators.

MALLORY IS A DIVISION OF THE MR. GASKET PERFORMANCE GROUP
PHONE [phone] FAX [phone]
www.mrgasket.com

2

FORM #1389

REV. B (09/03)

Made in U.S.A.

Printed in U.S.A.