MSD Distributor
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 712
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From: Booneville, Missouri
MSD Distributor
Hello and good afternoon.
I am planning to buy a Complete MSD Ignition System and I have a stock 5.0L.
Do I need a bronze or brass distributor gear? I recently read where a Forum member had major problems to the point of having to rebuild his bottom end because he had a steel gear on the distributor with a stock cam.
I do not, at least for now, plan on installing a roller cam and crank.
What do you recommend?
Take care and thanks!
Boon
I am planning to buy a Complete MSD Ignition System and I have a stock 5.0L.
Do I need a bronze or brass distributor gear? I recently read where a Forum member had major problems to the point of having to rebuild his bottom end because he had a steel gear on the distributor with a stock cam.
I do not, at least for now, plan on installing a roller cam and crank.
What do you recommend?
Take care and thanks!
Boon
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
From: Booneville, Missouri
MSD
Are you suggestion that this is all a waste of money?
With headers and a complete exhaust system I thought that this will help overall with low-end torque as well as a more efficient engine.
What do you think?
Thank you!
Boon
P.S. At least it will look good. Ha Ha
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
A high output coil is the only part of the ignition system besides wires that can possiby produce improved engine operation, there is nothing to be gained from an aftermarket distributor or TFI module since these parts simply detect engine rotation and supply a pulse signal to the computer. This either works right and the motor runs smooth or they don't work there is no margin for improvement. And given that the stock Ford coil is powerful enough to cause crossfiring between wires or to the motor it's a not a forgone concusion that an MSD coil would help.. it could actually make the engine run worse. If your stock distributor is badly worn and/or you have the money and want the appearance then by all means buy these parts, but they are far from being the best bang for your buck in performance upgrades.
P.S. As far as the distributor drive gear goes, if we're talking about your '87 truck and the motor is original you need a cast iron drive gear.
P.S. As far as the distributor drive gear goes, if we're talking about your '87 truck and the motor is original you need a cast iron drive gear.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
From: Booneville, Missouri
High Output Coil
A high output coil is the only part of the ignition system besides wires that can possiby produce improved engine operation, there is nothing to be gained from an aftermarket distributor or TFI module since these parts simply detect engine rotation and supply a pulse signal to the computer. This either works right and the motor runs smooth or they don't work there is no margin for improvement. And given that the stock Ford coil is powerful enough to cause crossfiring between wires or to the motor it's a not a forgone concusion that an MSD coil would help.. it could actually make the engine run worse. If your stock distributor is badly worn and/or you have the money and want the appearance then by all means buy these parts, but they are far from being the best bang for your buck in performance upgrades.
P.S. As far as the distributor drive gear goes, if we're talking about your '87 truck and the motor is original you need a cast iron drive gear.
P.S. As far as the distributor drive gear goes, if we're talking about your '87 truck and the motor is original you need a cast iron drive gear.
As always you are very helpful and knowledgeable. There are (2) different MSD Coils for my vehicle; 41,000 Volts or 50,000 Volts.
Which would you recommend?
Moreover, should I install colder copper spark plugs? I have already purchased Ford Racing Wires; 9MM.
With a new coil what would I set the timing at?
So, I will have the new exhaust system that we talked about before including shorty headers.
Other than a 3G Alternator is there anything else that you would recommend?
My goal is to increase low-end torque, a free-breather, and better fuel mileage with a more efficient engine. I have the 3:55 Gear Set.
Thank you so much!
Have a Merry Christmas and a Good New Year!
Boon
P.S. I also want to purchase some 16" Wheels and new tires but not until later in the year.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,780
Likes: 1,746
From: Kentucky
I was going to purchase the entire ignition system: Distributor, Coil, Ignition Module and Harness.
Are you suggestion that this is all a waste of money?
With headers and a complete exhaust system I thought that this will help overall with low-end torque as well as a more efficient engine.
What do you think?
Thank you!
Boon
P.S. At least it will look good. Ha Ha
Are you suggestion that this is all a waste of money?
With headers and a complete exhaust system I thought that this will help overall with low-end torque as well as a more efficient engine.
What do you think?
Thank you!
Boon
P.S. At least it will look good. Ha Ha
Install a hotter coil, some suggest MSD others Accel, then bump the base timing from 10 BTDC to 12-14, whatever your engine combination can handle without pinging.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 16
From: Edmonton, Alberta
The only reason I bought them was one it was for a new motor and matched the rest of the MSD stuff, and the 95 was that I'd have to wait a week till a oem was available.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 712
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From: Booneville, Missouri
MSD
It's a waste of money. Other than a hotter coil and a timing bump (aka sixlitre tune-up) that MSD ignition "upgrade" is a waste of time and money.
Install a hotter coil, some suggest MSD others Accel, then bump the base timing from 10 BTDC to 12-14, whatever your engine combination can handle without pinging.
Install a hotter coil, some suggest MSD others Accel, then bump the base timing from 10 BTDC to 12-14, whatever your engine combination can handle without pinging.
Thank you for the valuable information. I am not too proud to ask especially if it is something that is "over my head."
Which MSD Coil would you recommend; 41,000 or 50,000 Volts; or keep the stock coil?
What about spark plugs; stock MotorCraft copper, a bit colder plug with what gap?
Undoubtedly I do not want to "waste" money so I will stick with the stock Distributor.
Thank you for the help.
Boon
P.S. I am currently working on a complete new exhaust system: Shorty Headers, Y-Pipe, Hi-Flow Cat without air tube into an Enco 12" Glasspack terminating at the rear bumper with a Stainless Steel tip. ALL 2.5".
I thought that an MSD system would improve my engine performance with the exhaust system. Now that I am wrong what would you recommend?
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
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The ford distributor is good so no need to change that , what will help with spark is there ignition box and coil , it will throw a better spark , (multiple spark )something like the 6al box , you can also use a timing control to change the timing with a turn of a **** from inside the cab , there cap rotor and plug wires are good to , there tech department is good , i would talk to them , i used these and was happy with them ....Lew
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Booneville, Missouri
Which Company?
The ford distributor is good so no need to change that , what will help with spark is there ignition box and coil , it will throw a better spark , (multiple spark )something like the 6al box , you can also use a timing control to change the timing with a turn of a **** from inside the cab , there cap rotor and plug wires are good to , there tech department is good , i would talk to them , i used these and was happy with them ....Lew
I do not understand who you are recommending; the Dealer?
Where did you purchase these items?
The Part #'s would be most helpful.
Thanks and take care.
Boon
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,558
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.....If you need any info or have questions you can call MSD and ask for the tech department , they are very help full , i got my msd parts at summit racing , if you go to there (msd ) web page you can see all the parts , i used the 6al ignition box and timing control , they make a few different boxes , i used mine for high performance but they make boxes for towing and so on , the 6al box has a soft touch rev limiter that you may not need , the timing controls come with all the wiring and they just plug into the spark box
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