I just happened to catch Hot Rod TV tonight, and they were talking about MSD ignition products. I wasn't paying too much attantion, they were talking about new, ready to run distributers...blah, blah,blah and then they aid they were going to put it into their 70 riveria...with a 455!!!! I just about fell out of my chair.....:eek2: Anyway, looks like a great way to upgrade the igntion without too much hassle, anyone try one??? Small cap too, if it was black would hardly even notice it... Go to http://www.msdignition.com/ and put p/n 8552 into the search box. EDIT: I looked at the Olds and pontiac verisons as well....each ad has different info but the olds one says you can run a stcok cap for that stock look. I am assuming from the pics and housings that all the bases are basically the same so should be able to run stock cap with the buick as well. Need to confirm. All the pics show the same cap on it. Bonus! And now that I think about it, on hot Rod TV they just showed him removing the cap and he said not to touch the wires, just put the cap back on..course, can never trust those tv shows.... later Tim
Tim, These have been out for some time now. They even have one for the nailheads. The ignitionman wasn't impressed with them. They use their own module, it's expensive, and difficult to change it if it goes bad. I think sending your stock distributor to Dave, having him convert it to MSD pickup, and running your choice of MSD box, is still the cheapest way to go. Still, I'm sure the ready to run distributor may fit the needs of some guys. MSD makes very reliable and quality products.
I just liked the fact that they actually make them for the Buicks, that it is a stand alone piece (easy to troubleshoot-swap out), look stock, no big red box to hide anywhere. The pricing isn't too bad actually, when I look at box, converting stock dist, shipping, running the wires, hiding the box etc. Igniitonman hates pertronix too, I (or my friends) have not had any problems at all with them in the five years we've been running them.... Points taken though, for sure. I'll look into it more... later tim
I don't hate Pertronix stuff, just have seen first hand, way, way too many of them come up dead and/or junk to believe all the over-hyped ads for them. As far as the Ready to Run goes, it isn't an HEI, and it has an OMC boat module (read expensive) positioned in the middle of the body, so troubleshooting isn't easy, and repair requires taking the whole distributor apart to replace the modules. Still, it ain't a bad distriburtor, but it is overpriced for what you actually get electronically, in my opinion. I have been building real, live HEI and MSD trigger systems into stock GM points distributors since 1974 or so, and haven't had problems with parts sourcing, and/or troubleshooting the systems, either one, and stock caps/rotors/vacuum advances fit, because they are built on a stock points distributor. I use MSD 8466-1 MSD pickups, the ones they sell for that billit dist, and the Ready to Run, which is a Standard Blue Streak pickup, that's what MSD and most others now use, and a common 4 prong HEI module, 1974 thru 1982 or so, available everywhere. Since it has been proven over and over again that there isn't a real big bunch of difference in HEI modules, I'd feel confident in running the NAPA TP45 I use, as it is built by the same people here in the U.S., that make the GM 990 series modules, with the same specs as just about everybody else, 5 ampere system. And, I can billit look the stock dist if so desired. I curve all my conversions, MSD doesn't. I used the F-O-R-D magnetic pickups before MSD did. Their first setups used a Chrysler magnetic pickup, fact. As far as return shipping goes, I always pay return shipping, and into Canada isn't a big problem. I just send the paperwork in one packet, distributor as a warrantee update/repair in a separate one, and value that repair at $20.00/US funds, never has a customs problem, not one so far. Take your pick, you can't lose .
Go with Dave's setup---much better thought-out as he uses primo, but "available off the NAPA parts shelf" parts that are the same or better than those offered in these aftermarket units. +he can add the adjustable vacuum advance and offer you a ream of cap options as well as a truly REBUILT distributor. Best bang for the buck out there. Have heard too many stories about Pertronix problems. I just got mine back and look forward to setting it up on the car. Now I have to finish the damn car! Patton
