Lately I have been browsing through catalogues looking at distributors. The one that really caught my eye was the Mallory optical trigger sensor distributor. I do know that these types of triggering devices(optical) are accurate and durable, but I don't know if they are powerful enough. Can any one that has had any experience with these distributors tell me if they are any good?Thanks

I don't know much about the MSD optical distributor but some imports use them. I would guess that they're pretty accurate.

I've been running a Mallory Comp 9000 for many years and many miles with no problem.
I do have it wired per Mallory's instructions with a ballast resistor. I also run a Mallory Promaster coil.

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Life aint easy when you're fat and greasy www.chevelles.com/showroom/newpaint1.jpg (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/newpaint1.jpg)

[This message has been edited by bigjames4xl (edited 09-29-2001).]

The distributor has nothing to do with strength of the spark - that comes from whatever setup you use between there and the plugs; whatever's in the distributor is just a low-voltage triggering system, whether it's points, optical, infra-red, magnetic, etc. I've run Mallory Unilite distributors exclusively on many engines over the years (with their ProMaster coil), have been very pleased with them. You'll hear some people say they don't last, but that's not true - every single one I've seen (and repaired) for other people blew because it was wired wrong - some people are just in too much of a hurry to read the instructions, then blame the parts when they fail.

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JohnZ
'69 Z28 Fathom Green

I'll second what JohnZ said. I have a mechanical advance Mallory Unilite optically triggered distributor on my 400 and love it. I've never had a problem, but I did follow the instructions and installed a ballast resistor. The optical trigger can't handle the current flow when the full 12 volts is running through it. I could tell a big difference over the old worn out points distributor.