mallory 11k tach hook up w/points dist. help please !

Maybe this can help shed some light.

anyone make anything out of what mallory says here how to hook up?





TECHNICAL BULLETIN

TACHOMETER/FUEL INJECTION

ADAPTER APPLICATIONS

Since there seems to be some confusion and

misinformation about the applications of the Mallory

29074 and 29078 Tach/FI Adapters, we’ve put

together a little tutorial that explains why and when

each version is needed.

Background:

Years ago, before electronic ignitions were common

(and even after they were, in some cases), tachometer

designs were geared toward the existing point-type

ignition systems. This meant that a parallel-connection

tach (one that was triggered from the coil ‘-‘ terminal)

usually required a relatively high voltage (50-100v) to

trigger properly. The other type of tach commonly

used was the “series” tach, which was triggered by

the current pulse in the ignition supply line whenever

the points closed.

When aftermarket electronic ignitions started

becoming more popular, there arose a need for some

way to trigger these tachometers, most of which were

OEM designs. In addition, more cars were using

electronic fuel injection systems, and many of these

systems required a HV pulse on the coil ‘-‘ terminal to

tell them that the ignition was working before they

would trigger the injectors. The first “tach/FI” adapters

were just a coil of wire that simulated a weak coil

primary. Our version is the 29074. When connected

between the points trigger lead and the ignition power

wire, they would make a HV pulse on the trigger wire

when the ignition was triggered. In addition, they drew

a couple of amps through the ignition wire, and this

was generally enough to trigger a series tach that was

in the circuit.

As distributors with magnetic pickups became more

popular triggering sources, the 29074 style adapter

wouldn’t work, because the point lead was no longer

available as a trigger lead. In this case, a more

complex adapter was designed (the 29078). This unit

gets it’s trigger information from the “Tach” terminal of

the ignition box and generates a HV pulse for parallel

tachometers or FI systems, and it also pulls a couple

of amps on the ignition line to trigger series tachometers.

Application information:

Some of the problem with applications is because the

catalog description for the 29078 is incomplete. BOTH

adapters can be used for either tach (series or parallel)

or FI trigger. The issue that determines which is used

is the triggering method:

If you are using the points trigger lead (in other words,

points, OEM electronic, UniLite, 50-series, etc.) for the

ignition, then a 29074 is the appropriate adapter. It

should work with both parallel and series tachometers.

If you are using the mag pickup for triggering the

CD box OR if you plan to change from points/OEM

electronic/UniLite, etc. to mag pickup in the future,

the 29078 would be the choice. In this case, a parallel

tach or FI trigger would connect to the output of the

29078, rather than the CD box tach terminal.

FORM 1488M

9/04

Made in U.S.A.

Printed in U.S.A.

MALLORY IS A DIVISION OF THE MR. GASKET PERFORMANCE GROUP

10601 MEMPHIS AVE. #12, CLEVELAND, OH 44144

216.688.8300 FAX 216.688.8306

www.mrgasket.com



Craig Cicak

Prestolite Performance

Technical Services

10601 Memphis Ave #12

Cleveland, Ohio 44144

216-658-6492

216-688-8301 fax

ccicak@mrgasket.com











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