Hello, Just about to place an order and was wondering if I should go with the MSD Ready to run Pro Billet Distributor or this kit from Pro Comp. TGhe Pro Comp kit is a MSD like box, Billet Distributor and Coil while the MSD Ready to Run requires no Box. I have included the links so you can get a better idea of what I am looking at.

MSD Ready to Run
MSD 8573 Read to run distributor 1949-53 Ford flathead | eBay


Pro Comp Billet Kit
Ford 239 Flathead Billet Distributor 6A Coil 49-53 | eBay

What would you do?

 

What I did was buy the MSD dist from the same guy you're looking at. I didn't know about the Pro Comp part when I did, but I like the all-internal aspect of the MSD, and I know and trust their products. That's not to say the Pro Comp stuff isn't any good, by any means. I just don't know anything about them.

HD Mad Dog had mine drop shipped directly from MSD in Texas in a matter of days, and the price was by far the best I found anywhere. So good I wasn't for sure certain what I would get. Now, I wouldn't hesitate to make that same choice again.

 

I always try to live by "you get what you pay for" but I am not sure if I should follow that this time. 52 Merc, how are you liking the MSD? Sounds like you are happy with your decision.

 

A few years back MSD had a problem with their Flathead units if you were using a generator - They didn't like the dirty electrical flow from the gen.
Suggest you do a search unles someone knows for sure it's fixed

 

Can't say I've actually used it, yet. I'm still in the gathering of pieces stage of my project. Ross uses one in his truck and seems to like it just fine. I went by that recommendation, plus my past experience and knowledge of the reputation of MSD products. I have no doubt it will work fine as intended.

I can't speak to the generator comment from Dick. But if that is an issue, it seems that should be easily remedied with an alternator swap, or some other electronic filter/regulator.

 

My truck has had an alternator put on it from a previous owner. If that is the only msd issue then that problem is fixed in my case.

 

What are you doing with your carburetor setup and cam that you need a new distributor?

 

Nothing immediately, still figuring all of this flathead stuff out. I will upgrade cam and such later, just like the fact of a new upgraded electronic distributor.

 

You really don't need a modified engine to benefit from these dizzies. Aside from eliminating the maintenance of points, having mechanical (centrifugal) and vacuum advance gives a modest performance boost and (it seems like) an economy improvement. I have not touched my ignition since installing the MSD in 2007 -- haven't had to check or set timing, no condenser failures, spark plugs always burn clean. The engine just feels much smoother across the board when every plug fires every time.

 

That doesn't sound very Flathead like

 

Ross, I was kind of on the same page as you. I figured just the msd alone would provide an improvement by itself. I am just looking for a reliable driver with some modern conveniences to make it more reliable.

 

In my case,having a Y-block,my choices at the time were between MSD and Mallory.The MSD has both mechanical and vacuum advance,seemed to have a better reputation among the high performance crowd.Also, I seem to be subject to advertising hype,though I like to think otherwise.I then found a Craiglist deal for an MSD 6A box,which I totally do not need,but could not resist buying.

I am thrilled to not have to adjust points.On a Y-block,the dizzy is back against the fire-wall,and my gut is becoming a larger obstacle these days.

 

The 6A boxes are totally unnecessary to fire a flathead with low compression and low revs. It adds a bunch of wires too. That is why I got the Ready-to-Run, which is all internal.

Mallory may have been the hot setup back in the day, but the forums are full of posts from people with them who are having problems with ignition. Their parts also seem overpriced and are not available locally.

 

Think I will go with the msd, ease of hook up and way less parts and wires is a great feature. All internal will be nice. Are the 3 wires + and - to the coil and a hot to power the distributor?

 

There's a link to the instruction sheet on the MSD website.

Flathead Ford Ready to Run Distributor for '49-'53 - 8573