Distributor Question.

[xracer73]

Im looking at getting a new distributor cause mine is jacked up, the timing bounces all over even though I have the timing mechanics locked out. Im going to get a MSD distributor that comes already locked but it has a bronze gear, should I change this to iron? I thought I read somewhere that bronze is for roller cams or something because of the material there made of. I just have a mechanical cam. is this correct?

[DARRIN P/S 5006]

Did you check the slack in the timing chain Jason? What type pf Distributor do yoh have now? Which MSD distributor are you looking at? I can get one for you if you like...Let me know

[429 FOX]

BEFORE U DO ANYTHING....IF ITS LOCKED OUT,check your timing light,borrow someone elses for a quick check,what about spark plug wires,what rpm are u checking it at,sometimes it may not be jumping , but bouncing,dampner?

is it mis firing,and you think its jumping?
take cap off,try to turn rotor,lots of play? ???

-R

[xracer73]

the distributor is a real old dual point mallory that I converted with a pertronix ignitor, the shaft has tons of play in it. Ive checked timing lights, I have a gear drive so no slack in chain. I have checked it in all different rpms, it did it on the dyno also, they told me they never seen such jagged lines on a byno sheet before. I have a new damper, but I have to replace it, cause the damn thing spun, but it did it with my old damper as well, just never changed it.

im looking at the MSD Pro-Billet, Magnetic Trigger, Locked Advance.
part #MSD-85501

[429 FOX]

dont forget if you lock it out ,you will need a crank retard box

[larry84gt]

just curious whats th point in locking out the distrubitor , i have mine coming in at full advance at 2500 rpm ,so its at full advance when i leave the line ...
i know there must some reasoning behind it or otherwise it would'nt be done ...

[xracer73]

this may sound dumb, but wouldnt that be for a crank trigger ignition? the distributor Im looking at is a magnetic trigger that plugs right in to my msd 6a.

[429 FOX]

Its Not A Dumb Question,you Guys Call Me Sometime And Ill Explain

-r

[xracer73]

im not getting it before the last race, so u and I can chit chat then for sure, I m a huge amature when it comes to racing, I can buld cars and engines for show but when it comes to getting the most out of them, im lacking a little knowledge.

[xracer73]

hey rich, is this what you speak of?

http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/msd-8676.jpg

if so you threw me off when you said crank retard box, Ive always called then timing retard boxes. if not then yeah im dumb. lol

[429 FOX]

no u r not dumb, and thats not what i ment, i mean a crank retard box,it retards the timing when cranking the engine over(starting)

-R

[xracer73]

oh, i kinda thought thats what that was for. but i think i got it now.


Easy timing and start control.
These start/retard timing controls are the direct results of MSD being at the races and listening to what racers want. With the large number of engines running locked-out timing, racers wanted a simple way to retard the timing during cranking, plus have a single stage of retard available for high rpm or nitrous.
The start/retard controls let you choose either 10 or 25 degrees of retard during cranking only. The timing will retard only while cranking, and returns to the set mechanical timing once the engine starts and you release the key, or once the engine reaches 1,300 rpm. Along with the start retard, these units also have a single stage of retard. This retard can be activated in times of nitrous to prevent detonation, or at high rpm to achieve a little more top end. The amount of retard is adjustable with plug-in modules, and is activated by a single wire that can be connected directly to a nitrous solenoid, or a microswitch on the shifter. The start/retard controls are easy to install and program, and are supplied with 2, 3, and 4 degree modules. They must be used with an MSD 6, SCI, 7, 8, or 10 ignition control.

http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/msd-8982.jpg

pretty sweet little box. Ill have to get one since im running nitrous as well so I can run full timing and have it retard when I hit the nitrous. Ive notice with the timing i take away from the motor to run the nitrous I dropped from 12.6 to 12.9 but then when I use the nitrous it willl run 12.1-12.3 depending if the system is purged or not. be nice to have it where the timing is set where the motor likes it and if i dont need the nos, i can not use it, but if i do then i can use it and the box will retard the timing so i dont burn my plugs or pistons.

thanks for the tip. lord knows I need all the help I can get at this point.

[DARRIN P/S 5006]

Jason...Just get a MSD Digital 6 box and get rid of all that extra elecronic's?..It has all the functions you need in one(1) box..I wouldn't even run locked out timing if i were you. It's not needed for your combination.

[xracer73]

ya that looks like a good Idea. and at $320 its not to bad, ill sell my 6A box to my buddy. I only locked out my dist. cause my engine builder Steve Pfeiffer said to do so. So should I just go with the rtr msd billet mechanical advance distributor and the digital 6 box?

[DARRIN P/S 5006]

I would....You should be ok with that.