It's possible the Mallory system is a capacitive discharge setup instead of the standard HEI. That type works completely differently, actually firing the plug 4 or 5 times in the same time frame as the one hot spark from the HEI. It's easy to spot the CD secondary voltage pattern on an oscilloscope- - - -there's actually 4 or 5 spark lines in about 5 milliseconds. I prefer HEI systems to CD, but it's necessary to have a good battery to supply the starter and the current demand of the HEI at the same time. MSD systems are a good example of the CD setup. I'm not familiar with how the Mallory works, as I stopped using Mallory distributors back in the early 1980's.
Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!