MSD Distributor Set Up Question

I have a ready to run MSD 8552, what bushing and spring set should I be running on a BBB 462 with iron intake and heads not ported, TA shorty headers and a SMI quadrajet. The cam is TA 284-88H

Thanks Jim

 

To find out what size bushing you need to limit total timing, use the lightest springs first

 

Thanks Guys

 

My experience with MSD's Ready To Run distributors: Have a spare in the trunk!!

 

Dave Ray (Ignitionman) calls 'em "Ready To Die".

There was a time I was VERY impressed with MSD products. Now, I just want a Delco in good condition.

 

Sorry if I hi-jacked the thread, I went through 4 of them in my Shop Truck. They'd run for a week or two, then start quitting. Just out of the blue, no spark. Send it back to MSD ( They WERE good about the returns ) and wait for it to be repaired. After the second one went back to MSD, I got smart (?) and had Summit send me another one so no down time. After 4th one plus two repaired, I sent them back to Summit for a refund. Had DUI send me one of theirs,and never has skipped a beat. During this time, helped a buddy put a intake, 4bbl and ( he didn't listen to me! ) a Ready To Run on his kids 289 Mustang. Started right up, drove out of the driveway, did a burnout one backfire and dead.... Found On Road Dead!! He sent it back, bought one of Summits offshore distributor, still running....
Sorry about the hi-jack there IlliniGSX!

 

I had to replace the module in mine. I found the ground wire was loose and think it probably caused the problem.

 

Well no apology need for a reply to this thread. Here is the real reason for my post I have a stumble in my engine at WOT, I am wondering if my timing is correct,or do I have a carb problem or do I have an ignition problem. In addition to the stumble the engine kicks back when it is warm, I just put the fourth starter on it today. I bought a starter support bracket to install with the starter but that is not possible without removing the header. Right now I have 12 initial and 36 total timing. Any ideas???? I have tried to adjust the air door on the carb which is a quadra jet but that did not help.

Jim

 

something to figure out is to make sure your tdc center mark is truely tdc.......you will need a piston stop the screws in the spark plug hole. doesnt really matter how far you put the adjusting stop.......but I dont like it too deep. but to shallow can also make it hard to mark.

but once down. roll the motor one direction till it stops. mark your dampner at the 0 by the timing tab. roll the moto the other way and do the same. now halfway between then will be true tdc.........cut a piece of paper the same length as the distance between. the fold it in half and you will now have your true 0 mark. it might right on or even a few degrees off. you can either used the new mark as 0 of figure out how degrees you need to add or subtract from the mark on dampner and remember. but very few are truely 0

 

The kick back issue is a timing problem, so the carb has no effect on it.
At 12 initial you should be fine, even 16, or 18 is ok.
Do you have a start-retard box? If so, I had issues with the one I had, broke a mini starter, took the start-retard out and all was fine.
If no start-retard box, and your initial IS 12 deg. AND your breaking starters, because of kick back, check your cables, both positive AND negative, and also check your starter mounting points, tight clean, dry.
Mini starters HATE kick back
The big, heavy, OEM starter seems MUCH more tolerant of abuse
I just put a PG260 (mini) starter in my 350 GS, Im at 11.1 to 1 compression, 16 deg. initial timing, it cranks great, BUT Im still skeptical of its durability

 

Is rotor phasing when the distributor fires a plug other than the intended target?

 

msd makes a 2 piece rotor to adjust this, takes a hole in the cap to see.

 

something in my tiny bit of grey matter i have up above my shoulders thinks the caps and rotors from the msd are direct interchange for gm points style rotors.