MSD distributor users

[Syclone#892]

Hi I have a new msd distributor to install on my new engine and I was just going to install it but I have a question. There are some o-rings that came with it and the instructions say nothing about them but the picture on the box shows them installed in a groove close to the gear. So do I install them? Or are they extra for rebuilding it? I am assuming I should put them on the shaft but I want to make sure first. Thanks for you help in advance.

 

[jwaller]

thats where I have seen them installed. I believe their web site shows this.

 

[Syclone#892]

Well I called msd's tech line today and this is what they told me. Do not use the o-rings unless you have modified your block. He said that in some race applications they chamfer the hole for the distributor and some other things and with the o-rings it gives you some more oil pressure. He said if the block is stock in the distributor hole then you do not use the o-rings. I am thinking the reason to not use them is that you could damage the o-ring when installing from the lack of a chamfer and then the torn o-ring would be floating around in the engine. So I am not going to install them, I am just wondering since no one else replied did people install these or not see them or what, guess I will never know.

 

[99Xtreme_lover]

My MSD probillet ( which i think is the same as yours ) came with those rubbers on it and i installed it and i had no problems with it .

 

[E-Rue]

i used the rings as well, they came already installed. mine had detailed instructions showing why there was orings, and if you check out the difference in oiling, it will make sense to you im sure.

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[ed hess]

I also have the msd. When I called msd they also told me to leave it out.

There is a note i saw on comp cams website showing how to modify the msd distributor so that more oil, or rather the proper amount can get to the distributor gear. Rather than drilling a hole in the msd unit like comp cams says to do, you just leave out the orings like msd says and you are good to go.

otherwise i think you run into a premature wear situation on the gear.
I dont know how long it would take to wear.

However the new polymer gear that comp cams sells for our application to avoid wear problems i bought from comp cams.

there was a discussion a couple months ago about this new gear here on the board.
It was expensive .....like $99 !!!


ed