Here is my new problem, the new MSD distributor is too tall to allow my air cleaner to sit on the carb. It is an MSD 8552 installed in a 1970, GSX, 455. Just guessing I need to raise the carb 1 inch to get clearance for the air cleaner. Then I am probably going to run into hood to air cleaner interference. What are you guys doing? I really want to keep the stock air cleaner on the car. Is there another distributor that is stock height/length? Thanks Jim
Are you using the bright red cap with the taller HEI towers/plugs? Change over to a stock socket style cap and change the cap ends on the wires. https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...V2rbACh0VSwImEAQYASABEgJ8q_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
The XRi looks simple enough to install and would solve my height problem. How is the timing advance handled by the XRi? My MSD has no vacuum advance hooked up it is all mechanical. I will have to check but I think my timing is all in by 2500 rpm and I think the total advance is 34 degrees. Can I get the XRi set up to these specs? Sorry for the questions but I am still new to this. Yes, the cap is bright red and seems to be tall. How much height reduction will I see if I switch the cap? Jim
The socket style cap will also solve your problem, since you have the MSD Distributor it would be more cost effective for sure, but you can expect easily an inch less height
So let me get this straight, you would stop using a 400.00 MSD distributor because your air cleaner doesn't fit?. The timing advance isn't handled by the Xri. The mechanical advance amount is built into the stock distributor. It is not easily changed. The amount of mechanical advance is different among different distributor part numbers. The MSD distributor has an adjustable mechanical advance, stock distributors do not. Do you have a stock distributor cap? Install it on the MSD distributor and see how much shorter it is. That may be all you need to do.
Yes I do have a stock distributor cap. It is almost new with new plug wires I will swap them out and see if the air cleaner fits. Thanks for the help. I will let you know if it works out. Jim
