MSD Distributor Question

Posted By: MNobody

MSD Distributor Question - 04/19/09 09:20 PM

Pulled the Dist out of my 318 and it looks terrible, the reluctor is all rusty and i'm surprised it even runs. How do i clean this up and what should the reluctor gap be? It's a MSD #pn8534. Also what do i use to set the gap? Thanks. Guess it would help if i posted the pic too...

Attached picture 5174491-DD002.jpg

Posted By: The Shadow

Re: MSD Distributor Question - 04/19/09 09:35 PM

Common issue.
Wire brush it and spray it with wd 40.
The pick up should be siliconed in.

Posted By: Crizila

Re: MSD Distributor Question - 04/19/09 09:53 PM

You want the gap as close as you can get it without the reluctor touching the pick-up. I usually set the gap around .008" with a non-magnetic feeler gauge. That's usually enough clearance to cover for shaft straightness /side play.

Posted By: MNobody

Re: MSD Distributor Question - 04/19/09 10:28 PM

Should i put a little dab of grease on the contact point between the rotor and the center pin on the cap?

Posted By: stumpy

Re: MSD Distributor Question - 04/19/09 10:52 PM

No. That needs to be dry or you will cause arcing which will burn the terminal in the cap out.

Posted By: MNobody

Re: MSD Distributor Question - 04/20/09 12:22 AM

Ok Thanks.

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: MSD Distributor Question - 04/20/09 02:18 AM

Quote:

Should i put a little dab of grease on the contact point between the rotor and the center pin on the cap?

dielectric grease yes

Posted By: MNobody

Re: MSD Distributor Question - 04/20/09 04:04 AM

Ok you two, one says yes and one says no. Do i flip a coin?

Gonna get some springs tomorrow Robert, looks like a simple job.

Posted By: OzHemi

Re: MSD Distributor Question - 04/20/09 04:11 AM

Quote:

Ok you two, one says yes and one says no. Do i flip a coin? Gonna get some springs tomorrow Robert, looks like a simple job.

http://www.msdignition.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10706&highlight=grease

And from another thread..

Quote:

Sorry but looking at the pictures again it does look like the 8433 not the 8431 it is hard to tell from the angle of the pictures. Anyway the terminal looks like it has corroded due to moisture of some sort. To be honest that is probably what killed the carbon bushing as well. What happens when a engine is started and shut off with out getting up to operating temperature. You will actually get a temperature change in the cap and can get some condensation inside the cap. This can sit on components causing rust corrosion etc. What I would recommend is using some dielectric grease on each terminal where the wires sit as well as a VERY thin coat on each terminal inside the cap as well as a thin coat on the bushing. This will help eliminate most corrosion issues.

Thanks,

MSD tech4

That is with about 2 minutes of looking around there.

Posted By: mark7171

Re: MSD Distributor Question - 04/20/09 04:15 AM

No

Not on spark plugs either.

You do use the silicone dielectric grease to lube the wire boots.

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: MSD Distributor Question - 04/20/09 04:15 AM

Hold on a second lets do this scientifically. I assumed that you had a stock dist when I mentioned the MP light spring kit. Since you have a MSD call them or see what guys here say for the spring kit & it may not even need a different spring kit(I dont know MSD's)& just needs the curve adjusted but the curve you have is WAY off, on the other decision...

Posted By: MNobody

Re: MSD Distributor Question - 04/20/09 11:39 AM

Well it's got 2 springs under the rotor attached to the mechanical advance so i think it's just like any other dist. Thanks guy's. Found a chart on the MSD site which springs would be correct?

http://msdignition.com/instructions/Products/Distributors/8534.pdf?terms=8534

Called 6 parts stores looking for springs and nobody stocks them, what a joke. Fortunatly my buddy has some springs that i'll check out tonight, looks like a heavy silver and a light silver will put it all in at about 2900 or 2 light blues will be 2500.

Posted By: MNobody

Re: MSD Distributor Question (update) - 04/20/09 09:53 PM

Ok my buddy had the springs i needed, 1 heavy silver and one light silver gives full advance at about 2900 and 2 light blues is all in at about 2500. Cruise speed is about 2500 @ 55 mph so which setup should i start with? Thanks again.

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: MSD Distributor Question (update) - 04/20/09 10:18 PM

the 2500 setup

Posted By: MNobody

Re: MSD Distributor Question (update) - 04/25/09 01:35 AM

Curve kit is in! runs a little better down low, it's all in about 2600rpm or so. I tried 20 initial and ended up with 40-41 total and had 1 or 2 small specs on the plugs so i backed it down to 18 initial and 39 total so we'll see what happens. Thanks everyone for your help on this.

Posted By: therocks

Re: MSD Distributor Question (update) - 04/25/09 02:19 AM

The bushings control total advance.Springs control how slow or fast it gets there.Rocky

Posted By: MNobody

Re: MSD Distributor Question (update) - 04/25/09 02:39 AM

Yeah i might have to switch bushings, i want to keep 38-39 total, it seem's to like it. I'll see what it does when i drive it again set at 18 initial.

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: MSD Distributor Question (update) - 04/25/09 02:52 AM

You might consider keeping the total(vac disconnected) at 35 & working w the springs to get the fastest curve it will tolerate. the std baseline totals(35sb & 38 bb) are very accurate.

Posted By: MNobody

Re: MSD Distributor Question (update) - 04/25/09 02:56 AM

I put 2 blue springs in it, but i'll see what it does and then change the bushing. I can't go more than 22 initial or it starts to crank hard.

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: MSD Distributor Question (update) - 04/25/09 03:11 AM

I was thinking of a faster curve(lighter springs) as opposed to more initial and the fact that more initial kicks the total over 35 but you need enough initial for it to idle strong(& respond off idle crisply) with the cam that you are running but way too much initial hurts off idle power as a way too early ign point makes the compression fight against itself.

Posted By: MNobody

Re: MSD Distributor Question (update) - 04/25/09 03:22 AM

I thought i had a black bushing in it but it was rusty, i should have took it out and made sure. Apparently it came with the blue 21 degree bushing installed according to the MSD website so i'll take it back out and install the black bushing (18 deg) and shoot for 21 deg initial, it seemed to like that the best but it gave me too much total with the blue bushing and i got just a bit of detonation.