Fun with MSD
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 960
Likes: 10
From: Victoria (North Saanich)
Fun with MSD
I bought an MSD "Ready to Run" distributor because the original ford distributor was showing some odd behaviour.
Put the MSD on with the 6AL box and it ran for 12 minutes. Because the clever minds at MSD/Holley had never figured out how to issue a return through a courier service I had to pay to ship it back for repair. That was May 10th.
Today they told me that the module had failed, and they didn't have any shafts (there was a problem with mine since it squeaked) and they couldn't repair it and didn't have a date on new shafts. They couldn't send me a new one since they don't have any of those either.
I put the old Ford distributor back but the shaft is jumping up and down in the distributor and carving up the posts in the cap, so I'm parked until MSD decides fixing the defective products they sell is a priority.
Put the MSD on with the 6AL box and it ran for 12 minutes. Because the clever minds at MSD/Holley had never figured out how to issue a return through a courier service I had to pay to ship it back for repair. That was May 10th.
Today they told me that the module had failed, and they didn't have any shafts (there was a problem with mine since it squeaked) and they couldn't repair it and didn't have a date on new shafts. They couldn't send me a new one since they don't have any of those either.
I put the old Ford distributor back but the shaft is jumping up and down in the distributor and carving up the posts in the cap, so I'm parked until MSD decides fixing the defective products they sell is a priority.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
Get a rebuild kit for the Ford distributer. Now you know why I stick with the Ford products. You can get parts just about anywhere. Pretty bad when the manufacturer can't even supply the parts or even a new unit.
You could even exchange the old one for a rebuilt at AZ or Oreillys or Napa. AZ would have a lifetime warranty and they are everywhere.
You could even exchange the old one for a rebuilt at AZ or Oreillys or Napa. AZ would have a lifetime warranty and they are everywhere.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
And if you break down in the future, where are you. Use something that parts are readily available. If your in BFE, your going to be there a long time. KO1960 has the right combo. Your not running a race car.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
Your Ford distributor sounds like the clip inside the top of the shaft where the rotor goes is either gone or loose.
This is for a Duraspark, but same idea I think - see "Retaining Clip":
This is for a Duraspark, but same idea I think - see "Retaining Clip":
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 960
Likes: 10
From: Victoria (North Saanich)
Krewat - I'll have the old Motorcraft off soon since the MSD is coming back. I'll have a look at what is wrong.
I had been having some odd behaviour with it last year - which is why I ponied up for a new MSD. The timing would change from one day to the next by as much as 10 degrees. Last time I looked at the timing with the Motorcraft I was getting flashes 90 degrees off where most of the flashes were (around 18 degrees). Sure enough the inside of the cap had arc marks all over it.
I had been having some odd behaviour with it last year - which is why I ponied up for a new MSD. The timing would change from one day to the next by as much as 10 degrees. Last time I looked at the timing with the Motorcraft I was getting flashes 90 degrees off where most of the flashes were (around 18 degrees). Sure enough the inside of the cap had arc marks all over it.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
That could be the old "top bushing worn out" thing with that distributor. It's points? If so, and the top bushing is worn out, the dwell is walking all over the place and throwing the timing off.
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 960
Likes: 10
From: Victoria (North Saanich)
The MSD is back - got some very strange and contradictory info from them. Claimed that the module was replaced, then said it had tested good and was not replaced. Claimed that the shaft was damaged by improper removal of the gear using a gear puller (mushroomed the end of the gear) and the shaft could not be re-used because it had been drilled twice, then said it could be reused because it had only been drilled once, and seems mushrooming was not a problem, and couldn't explain why the shaft was removed if the module was good.
Very strange. Will install it next week and see if it works. Will dismantle the old Motorcraft out of curiosity.
Very strange. Will install it next week and see if it works. Will dismantle the old Motorcraft out of curiosity.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
I agree, the MSD is more bling than bang.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 294
Likes: 30
From: VA
Just don't get caught up in the bling crap.
I had all the crazy crap on my old Ford car back in the day. Grandpa told me then if it doesn't make it better or faster, you don't need it.
And if you have to clean it or polish it every week(under hood), you better not drive it unless you want to spend a small fortune trying to keep it that way. He said these vehicles were meant to drive not sit in a garage looking pretty.