The Ford Barn

DBrer · 02-01-2020, 01:03 PM

I have a ya 11a mallory and I'm having a hard time trying to find a cap for it. The car is 12v. Will a stock distributor run on 12v. I'm thinking about changing the distributor, but the ones listed in most of the parts catalogs don't say if they're 12v compatible. thank you, Don

Purdy Swoft · 02-01-2020, 01:24 PM

I've been running mine on12 volts for the past 14 years with good results . There are two choices Change the coil to a 3 ohm version or use a resistor at the coil connection if the original type coil is used .

Purdy Swoft · 02-01-2020, 01:54 PM

For hotter spark and improved performance I use the Pertronix flame thrower coil .

CarlG · 02-01-2020, 09:07 PM

I sent a couple of Mallory distributors to Bubba’s a year ago along with the agreed $$ to be rebuilt. Still don’t have them or my money back.

Russ/40 · 02-01-2020, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlG

I sent a couple of Mallory distributors to Bubba’s a year ago along with the agreed $$ to be rebuilt. Still don’t have them or my money back.

The squeaky wheels are getting the grease!

Nosetime · 02-02-2020, 09:41 AM

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Oh Boy. I too sent a YA to Bubba, allowing what I thought was a reasonable amount of time before my car was ready. After 4-5 months i bought a Bubba restored YL on eBay so I could drive. I ended up buying another YL in new condition as backup.
Now for the bad news to DB, you may never find a good cap. I looked for a year. I ended up buying a whole YA just for the cap. You will find a lot of guys have had to do the same. I may consider selling it. If you buy a YA-11 and have Bubba go through it, you will have over $500 into it. Thats why you rarely see a car with them. They do pop up on eBay on occasion, usually in the $275 to 300 range. There is a NOS for sale at $500 which is a bargain. There is another on Hamb for $375 that looks very good.
Now, some better news. I have seen V8 caps converted. You do see these and 6 cyl caps for sale on eBay. No idea how they run, but it looked like a reasonable set up. About Bubba, he slowed down significantly due to health problems and has a limited schedule. His communication at best, is a problem by todays standard. But, his Grandson is involved, hopefully he can take on some of that end, too! The work quality is not a question, to be sure! He is focused on select V8 distributors now, so I would talk to him BEFORE you ship anything. My biggest criticism would be they opened my box and cashed my check right away which, to me implied starting the job. That was not the case. Again, I would make sure you have a backup distributor in use, then consider sending your YA in. Russ, at some point I was very uncomfortable pressing for mine, but honestly, a lot of promises were not kept regarding timeline. Whew...after all that I would still send Jim another distributor. Mine went to him right in the beginning of his health issues, and I know he was already very busy and backed up..last we talked he scaled it all back and hopefully is on top of it. Finally, why use a YA-11 at all you might ask? Because they are beautiful large, stout cast iron period parts. I love them!

Purdy Swoft · 02-02-2020, 11:48 AM

I bought one from Harrys model A in the 90's and haven't had to do anything to it since . It runs great .

DBrer · 02-02-2020, 12:58 PM

Thanks for all the info you guys that is very interesting. I think I will probably buy a new original one from one of the parts catalogs so I can get the ignition parts I need without any hassle. The ya I have now is in the car and works great I will run it until I need a cap and then replace the whole thing. I have new points and a rotor so maybe it will run a long time. thanks again and I hope you guys get yours back in working order real soon. Don

Nosetime · 02-02-2020, 06:02 PM

You may never live long enough to need a cap. Are you talking YA-11 Mallory from the 1930’s? I think we are on different pages here.

DBrer · 02-02-2020, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nosetime

You may never live long enough to need a cap. Are you talking YA-11 Mallory from the 1930’s? I think we are on different pages here.

I'm not sure what year or years it was installed, the tag just says ya-11a.

aermotor · 02-03-2020, 07:52 AM

I am not sure I am on the same page. I have a Mallory with the only tag being 2301105 and could not find a cap. I discovered that the marine version of the 4 cylinder Chev works. I don't remember and can' find the part number but it was different than the Ford cap number.

John

Nosetime · 02-03-2020, 09:32 AM

Thats the advantage of the YL. Parts are available, like Aermotor says, marine caps and points, condensers, etc.. readily available.

DBrer · 02-03-2020, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aermotor

I am not sure I am on the same page. I have a Mallory with the only tag being 2301105 and could not find a cap. I discovered that the marine version of the 4 cylinder Chev works. I don't remember and can' find the part number but it was different than the Ford cap number.

John

That would be great if you could find the part number. I could compare it to the cap I have. Thanks John.

Flathead · 02-03-2020, 02:15 PM

There are some ya's on ebay right now. I don't know the seller or have any personal interest in the listings.

DBrer · 02-03-2020, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flathead

There are some ya's on ebay right now. I don't know the seller or have any personal interest in the listings.

Thank you for the information. Don

02-01-2020, 01:03 PM	#1
DBrer Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Washington Posts: 175	mallory distributor I have a ya 11a mallory and I'm having a hard time trying to find a cap for it. The car is 12v. Will a stock distributor run on 12v. I'm thinking about changing the distributor, but the ones listed in most of the parts catalogs don't say if they're 12v compatible. thank you, Don

02-01-2020, 01:24 PM	#2
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: mallory distributor I've been running mine on12 volts for the past 14 years with good results . There are two choices Change the coil to a 3 ohm version or use a resistor at the coil connection if the original type coil is used .

02-01-2020, 01:54 PM	#3
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: mallory distributor For hotter spark and improved performance I use the Pertronix flame thrower coil .

02-01-2020, 09:07 PM	#4
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: mallory distributor I sent a couple of Mallory distributors to Bubba’s a year ago along with the agreed $$ to be rebuilt. Still don’t have them or my money back. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

02-02-2020, 09:41 AM	#6
Nosetime Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Huntington Beach, Calif Posts: 330	Re: mallory distributor Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Oh Boy. I too sent a YA to Bubba, allowing what I thought was a reasonable amount of time before my car was ready. After 4-5 months i bought a Bubba restored YL on eBay so I could drive. I ended up buying another YL in new condition as backup. Now for the bad news to DB, you may never find a good cap. I looked for a year. I ended up buying a whole YA just for the cap. You will find a lot of guys have had to do the same. I may consider selling it. If you buy a YA-11 and have Bubba go through it, you will have over $500 into it. Thats why you rarely see a car with them. They do pop up on eBay on occasion, usually in the $275 to 300 range. There is a NOS for sale at $500 which is a bargain. There is another on Hamb for $375 that looks very good. Now, some better news. I have seen V8 caps converted. You do see these and 6 cyl caps for sale on eBay. No idea how they run, but it looked like a reasonable set up. About Bubba, he slowed down significantly due to health problems and has a limited schedule. His communication at best, is a problem by todays standard. But, his Grandson is involved, hopefully he can take on some of that end, too! The work quality is not a question, to be sure! He is focused on select V8 distributors now, so I would talk to him BEFORE you ship anything. My biggest criticism would be they opened my box and cashed my check right away which, to me implied starting the job. That was not the case. Again, I would make sure you have a backup distributor in use, then consider sending your YA in. Russ, at some point I was very uncomfortable pressing for mine, but honestly, a lot of promises were not kept regarding timeline. Whew...after all that I would still send Jim another distributor. Mine went to him right in the beginning of his health issues, and I know he was already very busy and backed up..last we talked he scaled it all back and hopefully is on top of it. Finally, why use a YA-11 at all you might ask? Because they are beautiful large, stout cast iron period parts. I love them! Last edited by Nosetime; 02-02-2020 at 10:21 AM.

02-02-2020, 11:48 AM	#7
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: mallory distributor I bought one from Harrys model A in the 90's and haven't had to do anything to it since . It runs great .

02-02-2020, 12:58 PM	#8
DBrer Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Washington Posts: 175	Re: mallory distributor Thanks for all the info you guys that is very interesting. I think I will probably buy a new original one from one of the parts catalogs so I can get the ignition parts I need without any hassle. The ya I have now is in the car and works great I will run it until I need a cap and then replace the whole thing. I have new points and a rotor so maybe it will run a long time. thanks again and I hope you guys get yours back in working order real soon. Don

02-02-2020, 06:02 PM	#9
Nosetime Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Huntington Beach, Calif Posts: 330	Re: mallory distributor You may never live long enough to need a cap. Are you talking YA-11 Mallory from the 1930’s? I think we are on different pages here.

02-03-2020, 07:52 AM	#11
aermotor Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,099	Re: mallory distributor I am not sure I am on the same page. I have a Mallory with the only tag being 2301105 and could not find a cap. I discovered that the marine version of the 4 cylinder Chev works. I don't remember and can' find the part number but it was different than the Ford cap number. John

02-03-2020, 09:32 AM	#12
Nosetime Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Huntington Beach, Calif Posts: 330	Re: mallory distributor Thats the advantage of the YL. Parts are available, like Aermotor says, marine caps and points, condensers, etc.. readily available.

02-03-2020, 02:15 PM	#14
Flathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 1,497	Re: mallory distributor There are some ya's on ebay right now. I don't know the seller or have any personal interest in the listings.