MSD Ignition check

[ldtopham]

For those of you who have MSD distributors, if you haven't already done so it may be worth having a nosey inside the cap to see if there is any corrosion. I have been playing with my digital o2 meter and the data logs show lots of noise (what looks like ignition misses). I removed the dizzy cap and found heavy corrosion to the rotor arm, cap pick ups and the magnetic trigger. I couldn't get continuity on most pickups until I had spent an hour cleaning them all up. I was very surprised to see the amount of corrosion present given that it has only been on the road for 9 months so well worth a check IMO. To drive the car felt fine but the data logs show lots of ignition misses

I have now drilled 2 8mm holes in the side of the rotor cap as the theory is that ionised air trapped within the cap accelerates the corrosion, we'll see igf it makes any difference as servicing of the dizzy will now be a much more regular task

[wilf]

Lee - yup, spotted the ability for the insides of MSD distributors to corrode a long time ago - I recall putting up a post about seized mechanical advance mechanisms at the time.

Swapped my rotor arm and cap only last week.

[TINKA]

Have to say Lee, have done a couple of data runs recently and the timing is not all it could be so had a look with a timing light and it is all over the place. My MSD distributor is for injection so there is no advance mechanism in it at all, all that is done by the Mega squirt. I have now decided to fit the EDIS system which will finally cure it. There is quite a bit of rust in mine when I had a look.

[wilf]

Funny that - can't be from getting wet when you wash it..............

[TINKA]

Originally Posted by wilf

Funny that - can't be from getting wet when you wash it..............

Wash your mouth out

[ldtopham]

My timing looks stable when it should be so the gear and bearings at least seem to be ok. I have just cleaned all the rust off for now but Real Steel have the replacement parts in stock so I'll order them up soon. At £70 (not a slur on RS prices as they were very close to USA prices) for a dizzy cap, rotor and magnetic module I can't say I'm looking forward to replacing this lot every year. I think I'll have to keep a closer eye on the internals.

Mine is gaining 'patina' at an alarming rate....in fact it has never has a sponge or water anywhere near it, well the bucketed type anyway

Cheers fellas.

[wilf]

Lee - I only changed my cap and rotor arm this year - 7 years and 21k miles from new.

I admit I have cleaned out the crud from the terminals inside the cap a few times tho', but I don't think you should have to change them annually.

I have also freed up and lubricated the advance mechanism maybe 3 times in that period.

[ldtopham]

I am going to data log when the sun comes out again If the ignition misses are no longer evident then I'll continue to use it as is. If the misses are still showing then i'll change the rotor/ cap and try again. If it is still there then the mag module will get replaced also. Then I'll keep an eye on the damp regular Going to put a cx of plugs in too as they are cheap enough and I'd like to have a few spares floating around anyway.

Slightly off topic but my Insurance renewal came through this week. My first year on the road is almost at an end. I've only done 1600 mile and of that I reckon a 1000 was through the last winter. The weather is driving me mad

[craggle]

I have an almost new MSD distributor in my garage and was surprised to see all the internal bits are non plated mild steel. No wonder they rust in our atmosphere!

I striped it down and treated all the bits in one of those Frosts chemical blacking kits. I was tempted to get it all zinc plated but will see how the black stuff goes first.

There is no advance weights in mine as it's all done electrically but if they are the same material then expect rust!

Not good for the price really

Craig.

[BLOKE]

I had a similar problem with my system on my SR V8/ 351Windsor,
My Module failed, and on inspection all the parts were coroded as you describe, BUT my problem was solved, as the Ford has it's dizzy at the front, when it rained, or I hosed the car down, water went up the bonnet and stright into the dizzy, I have blocked my scoop off until I can make a deflector.
Regards Frank Dowsett. BLOKE.