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Distributor Corrosion #1208298 04/02/12 03:28 PM 04/02/12 03:28 PM
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 952 Queens, N. Y. FASTBACK340 OP super stock
FASTBACK340 OP super stock Joined: May 2007 Posts: 952 Queens, N. Y.	Well, it's obvious I have some moisture issues in my garage. My aluminum looks good, and the car isn't rusting. It's a cinder block 2 car with a slab floor that was poured probably 75 yrs. ago. I park on a plastic tarp, cover the car, and leave moisture absorbant in the interior and trunk. I opened up my MSD Pro Billet to see what springs were in there and I found this: Of course I'll clean this up. But how can I prevent it from happening again? And what's the reluctor gap? Should I keep moisture traps under the hood too now? Thanks! `68 Barracuda 340-S

Re: Distributor Corrosion [Re: FASTBACK340] #1208299 04/02/12 03:47 PM 04/02/12 03:47 PM
Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 2,826 NY usa 5 540challenger master
540challenger master 5 Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 2,826 NY usa	The mositure in your garage is only a small part of the problem. The MSD dist. is th problem they have been known to rust. You have 2 options 1. Buy a different brand dist. 2. make it a habit take the cap off and spray wd-40 on the dist.

Re: Distributor Corrosion [Re: FASTBACK340] #1208300 04/02/12 05:01 PM 04/02/12 05:01 PM
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,287 West Coast, USA jbc426 master
jbc426 master Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,287 West Coast, USA	You may also want to check your rotor phasing. When mine was off, it caused a massive acceleration of the corrosion process. I guess because of the ionization going on when the spark had to jump so far to reach the terminal. Mine was really off. I used a small wire bush to knock down the corrosion and coated the metal surfaces with a spray on WD-40 type spray. Once I corrected the rotor phasing, the corrosion process slowed down to 10% or less than what it had been doing. 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda #'s 440-6(block in storage)currently 493" 6 pack, Shaker, 5 speed Passon, 4.10's 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Convertible 408 Magnum EFI with 4 speed automatic overdrive, 3800 stall lock-up converter and 4.30's (closest thing to an automatic 5 speed going)

Re: Distributor Corrosion [Re: FASTBACK340] #1208301 04/02/12 06:06 PM 04/02/12 06:06 PM
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 952 Queens, N. Y. FASTBACK340 OP super stock
FASTBACK340 OP super stock Joined: May 2007 Posts: 952 Queens, N. Y.	I held my breath when I posted this for fear of the obvious.... but MSD's have a habit of corroding? Are the parts that low grade? It sure wasn't an inexpensive piece..... but I own it. I'll clean it up and lightly coat w/ WD-40. I still need info on the phasing. Google here I come... Thanks for the advice! `68 Barracuda 340-S

Re: Distributor Corrosion [Re: FASTBACK340] #1208302 04/02/12 06:11 PM 04/02/12 06:11 PM
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 952 Queens, N. Y. FASTBACK340 OP super stock
FASTBACK340 OP super stock Joined: May 2007 Posts: 952 Queens, N. Y.	And now I answer my own question..... Thanks for the advice! http://www.msdignition.com/uploadedFiles...tor_phasing.pdf `68 Barracuda 340-S

Re: Distributor Corrosion [Re: FASTBACK340] #1208303 04/02/12 06:35 PM 04/02/12 06:35 PM
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,287 West Coast, USA jbc426 master
jbc426 master Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,287 West Coast, USA	Mine was so far off, it almost took the full amount of adjustment available on their adjustable rotor. I'm surprised it wasn't firing on the next cylinder. 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda #'s 440-6(block in storage)currently 493" 6 pack, Shaker, 5 speed Passon, 4.10's 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Convertible 408 Magnum EFI with 4 speed automatic overdrive, 3800 stall lock-up converter and 4.30's (closest thing to an automatic 5 speed going)

Re: Distributor Corrosion [Re: FASTBACK340] #1208304 04/02/12 07:41 PM 04/02/12 07:41 PM
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 952 Queens, N. Y. FASTBACK340 OP super stock
FASTBACK340 OP super stock Joined: May 2007 Posts: 952 Queens, N. Y.	I did a Google on the subject and learned quite a bit about MSD's. I was reading a thread on another forum where guys would have identical cars (Factory Five Cobras) and one would have corroding components and the other would be perfect. Same cars, same components, same state, same town, same climate, same storage situations. A nd no solutions... You should read some of the theories! `68 Barracuda 340-S

Re: Distributor Corrosion [Re: FASTBACK340] #1208305 04/02/12 07:54 PM 04/02/12 07:54 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska	K.i.s.s. I'd say very high humidity over a period of time and bare unprotected ferrous metal and condensation with falling/changing temps below to the dew point. Had it happen to me several times not related to MSD tho live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: Distributor Corrosion [Re: FASTBACK340] #1208306 04/02/12 08:13 PM 04/02/12 08:13 PM
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 28,312 Cincinnati, Ohio Challenger 1 Too Many Posts
Challenger 1 Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 28,312 Cincinnati, Ohio	Sorry, but I think It's a problem with the MSD dist, they all do it, I believe. I think it sucks and would not use one because of that problem.

Re: Distributor Corrosion [Re: Challenger 1] #1208307 04/03/12 06:38 AM 04/03/12 06:38 AM
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,709 NJ central S Scamp408 master
Scamp408 master S Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,709 NJ central	I had the same problem. I replace the p/u with new and used engine clear and pulled reluctor sand blasted lightly and used engine cast coat. Buy the drilled cap or drill your own and I never had a problem been 5 years still new.

Re: Distributor Corrosion [Re: Scamp408] #1208308 04/03/12 01:35 PM 04/03/12 01:35 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,875 communist bloc of new jersey J jamesc master
jamesc master J Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,875 communist bloc of new jersey	it's a common problem with MSD distributors and i'm not certain of the exact cause. ozone is very corrosive and i wonder if that's a major contributor. i glass beaded mine and sprayed it with some machine storage stuff. i've also found that the caps don't last for crap, the center carbon seems to go away in a short time

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