Distributor

[DLMc]

Been having no luck with aftermarket distributors for my la 360 I built for my 74. I started out with the Summit ready to run billet distributor an exact replica of the MSD but at a cheaper price. Had three bite the dust in less than a 100 miles. I have used a few of these on some of my other classics pre-covid with no issues and yes I know how to wire them correctly. I run them off the battery with a ignition relay with a .7 ohm coil as per instructions. After the third one I told them to give me a refund. I noticed they have since discontinued it. Anyway I decided to go with the MSD ready to run billet distributor. I installed it yesterday and what a big disappointment, the cap doesn't fit tightly and has 1+ degrees of play in it. The housing fits so tight in the block that once I tighten it down it gets stuck in the block not allowing for any adjustment. The factory distributor and all three of the Summit distributors that failed I had no issues with that. I went with the after market ones for the ease of adjusting my timing curve. The MSD distributor functions okay but getting stuck in the block every time I tighten it down is something I can't live with. In the reviews on this distributor others have had this issue also.

 

[RJRENTON]

Been having no luck with aftermarket distributors for my la 360 I built for my 74. I started out with the Summit ready to run billet distributor an exact replica of the MSD but at a cheaper price. Had three bite the dust in less than a 100 miles. I have used a few of these on some of my other classics pre-covid with no issues and yes I know how to wire them correctly. I run them off the battery with a ignition relay with a .7 ohm coil as per instructions. After the third one I told them to give me a refund. I noticed they have since discontinued it. Anyway I decided to go with the MSD ready to run billet distributor. I installed it yesterday and what a big disappointment, the cap doesn't fit tightly and has 1+ degrees of play in it. The housing fits so tight in the block that once I tighten it down it gets stuck in the block not allowing for any adjustment. The factory distributor and all three of the Summit distributors that failed I had no issues with that. I went with the after market ones for the ease of adjusting my timing curve. The MSD distributor functions okay but getting stuck in the block every time I tighten it down is something I can't live with. In the reviews on this distributor others have had this issue also.

What was wrong with the original ignition set up?? Why change it? Nothing to be gained with aftermarket stuff, other than "it's better" and EVERYONE KNOWS how wonderful MSD stuff is? Hopefully, you've have not been duped into believing you'll get more HP, more MPG, by using aftermarket stuff.....why not go back to what was standard for your engine and year. The factory spent hundreds of engineering hours designing a reliable ignition system...and all the hours you've spent trying to get the aftermarket stuff to be reliable and work..was it worth it? Apparently not. You are number 5,212 in the list of dissatisfied users with aftermarket ignition systems....go back to original equipment ignition systems and enjoy your car. Others will disagree and have experienced the same problems you have......just my opinion.....
BOB RENTON

 

[DLMc]

What was wrong with the original ignition set up?? Why change it? Nothing to be gained with aftermarket stuff, other than "it's better" and EVERYONE KNOWS how wonderful MSD stuff is? Hopefully, you've have not been duped into believing you'll get more HP, more MPG, by using aftermarket stuff.....why not go back to what was standard for your engine and year. The factory spent hundreds of engineering hours designing a reliable ignition system...and all the hours you've spent trying to get the aftermarket stuff to be reliable and work..was it worth it? Apparently not. You are number 5,212 in the list of dissatisfied users with aftermarket ignition systems....go back to original equipment ignition systems and enjoy your car. Others will disagree and have experienced the same problems you have......just my opinion.....
BOB RENTON

Well versed on what they do and don't do. As mentioned in my post I converted for the ease of adjusting my mechanical advance because I have made many modifications to the engine.

 

[493 Mike]

Been having no luck with aftermarket distributors for my la 360 I built for my 74. I started out with the Summit ready to run billet distributor an exact replica of the MSD but at a cheaper price. Had three bite the dust in less than a 100 miles. I have used a few of these on some of my other classics pre-covid with no issues and yes I know how to wire them correctly. I run them off the battery with a ignition relay with a .7 ohm coil as per instructions. After the third one I told them to give me a refund. I noticed they have since discontinued it. Anyway I decided to go with the MSD ready to run billet distributor. I installed it yesterday and what a big disappointment, the cap doesn't fit tightly and has 1+ degrees of play in it. The housing fits so tight in the block that once I tighten it down it gets stuck in the block not allowing for any adjustment. The factory distributor and all three of the Summit distributors that failed I had no issues with that. I went with the after market ones for the ease of adjusting my timing curve. The MSD distributor functions okay but getting stuck in the block every time I tighten it down is something I can't live with. In the reviews on this distributor others have had this issue also.

You could chuck that distributor housing in a lathe and skinny it down a few thousands for clearance or sand some material off.
Mike

 

[RJRENTON]

Well versed on what they do and don't do. As mentioned in my post I converted for the ease of adjusting my mechanical advance because I have made many modifications to the engine.

The mechanical advance (aka centrifugal advance system) is, after optimization of advance curve has been achieved (amount and rate), is set, it will not be changed. What "modifications" have been or are being contemplated to require advance be changed?? The standard stuff...cam (what specs), compression ratio, transmission, rear gear ratio, carb, intended use of car, etc. What are you trying to achieve? Enlighten us (me).......
BOB RENTON

 

[toolmanmike]

Been having no luck with aftermarket distributors for my la 360 I built for my 74. I started out with the Summit ready to run billet distributor an exact replica of the MSD but at a cheaper price. Had three bite the dust in less than a 100 miles. I have used a few of these on some of my other classics pre-covid with no issues and yes I know how to wire them correctly. I run them off the battery with a ignition relay with a .7 ohm coil as per instructions. After the third one I told them to give me a refund. I noticed they have since discontinued it. Anyway I decided to go with the MSD ready to run billet distributor. I installed it yesterday and what a big disappointment, the cap doesn't fit tightly and has 1+ degrees of play in it. The housing fits so tight in the block that once I tighten it down it gets stuck in the block not allowing for any adjustment. The factory distributor and all three of the Summit distributors that failed I had no issues with that. I went with the after market ones for the ease of adjusting my timing curve. The MSD distributor functions okay but getting stuck in the block every time I tighten it down is something I can't live with. In the reviews on this distributor others have had this issue also.

Boy you seem to be having a lot of electrical issues. This is your 3'rd distributor issue and I saw 1 alternator issue. That looked like it was caused by aftermarket parts too.

 

[icetech]

I had @HALIFAXHOPS set me up a factory dist... Setting up the curve isn't fun.. but it has never given me an issue. He would probably setup the curve before shipping if you let him know your needs...

 

[twecomm]

I've had great results with a Firecore dizzy in my 383.

 

[RJ Squirrel]

You could chuck that distributor housing in a lathe and skinny it down a few thousands for clearance or sand some material off.
Mike

Thats what I was thinking too, if you have a benchtop belt sander take the O-ring off and spin it around the belt a couple times.

 

[jimbosride]

Anyone ever use one of these? Sure would be cool to set up a distributor with one.

 

[HALIFAXHOPS]

I use one every day.