Can someone dumb it way down?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Maine
I ordered the 14.xx dollar part from Autozone they don't stock it, they said it will be there by Thursday. I'll see if this is the fix, with my luck I can’t imagine it will work but I’ve spent more money on long shots then 14.xx. If it doesn't work its on to plan B.
"MSD 8491 Tach Drive Adapter, Tang to Square Drive
The standard tach drive for MSD Tach Drive Distributors is a 3/16” tang drive cable. In most cases this type of drive will work, but for those who require the 0.104” square drive (Corvette style), MSD offers a Tang to Square Drive Adapter to fit all MSD Tach Drive distributors"
"MSD 8491 Tach Drive Adapter, Tang to Square Drive
The standard tach drive for MSD Tach Drive Distributors is a 3/16” tang drive cable. In most cases this type of drive will work, but for those who require the 0.104” square drive (Corvette style), MSD offers a Tang to Square Drive Adapter to fit all MSD Tach Drive distributors"
Last edited by mxz800; Jun 4, 2012 at 07:13 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
I ordered the 14.xx dollar part from Autozone they don't stock it, they said it will be there by Thursday. I'll see if this is the fix, with my luck I can’t imagine it will work but I’ve spent more money on long shots then 14.xx. If it doesn't work its on to plan B.
"MSD 8491 Tach Drive Adapter, Tang to Square Drive
The standard tach drive for MSD Tach Drive Distributors is a 3/16” tang drive cable. In most cases this type of drive will work, but for those who require the 0.104” square drive (Corvette style), MSD offers a Tang to Square Drive Adapter to fit all MSD Tach Drive distributors"
"MSD 8491 Tach Drive Adapter, Tang to Square Drive
The standard tach drive for MSD Tach Drive Distributors is a 3/16” tang drive cable. In most cases this type of drive will work, but for those who require the 0.104” square drive (Corvette style), MSD offers a Tang to Square Drive Adapter to fit all MSD Tach Drive distributors"
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
I ordered the 14.xx dollar part from Autozone they don't stock it, they said it will be there by Thursday. I'll see if this is the fix, with my luck I can’t imagine it will work but I’ve spent more money on long shots then 14.xx. If it doesn't work its on to plan B.
"MSD 8491 Tach Drive Adapter, Tang to Square Drive
The standard tach drive for MSD Tach Drive Distributors is a 3/16” tang drive cable. In most cases this type of drive will work, but for those who require the 0.104” square drive (Corvette style), MSD offers a Tang to Square Drive Adapter to fit all MSD Tach Drive distributors"
"MSD 8491 Tach Drive Adapter, Tang to Square Drive
The standard tach drive for MSD Tach Drive Distributors is a 3/16” tang drive cable. In most cases this type of drive will work, but for those who require the 0.104” square drive (Corvette style), MSD offers a Tang to Square Drive Adapter to fit all MSD Tach Drive distributors"
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
wasn't a suggestion, but a solution based on his pictures, statements in his original thread, and searching for issues others have had while installing MSD products. Had it not been for his original thread and the pictures he provided, I would have been guessing also. I have over 45 years fixin other folks mistakes.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
I ordered the 14.xx dollar part from Autozone they don't stock it, they said it will be there by Thursday. I'll see if this is the fix, with my luck I can’t imagine it will work but I’ve spent more money on long shots then 14.xx. If it doesn't work its on to plan B.
"MSD 8491 Tach Drive Adapter, Tang to Square Drive
The standard tach drive for MSD Tach Drive Distributors is a 3/16” tang drive cable. In most cases this type of drive will work, but for those who require the 0.104” square drive (Corvette style), MSD offers a Tang to Square Drive Adapter to fit all MSD Tach Drive distributors"
"MSD 8491 Tach Drive Adapter, Tang to Square Drive
The standard tach drive for MSD Tach Drive Distributors is a 3/16” tang drive cable. In most cases this type of drive will work, but for those who require the 0.104” square drive (Corvette style), MSD offers a Tang to Square Drive Adapter to fit all MSD Tach Drive distributors"
To you inexperienced members , this is the best example of the importance of posting pictures so we can see what you see, our educated guesses , while good , and in most cases correct, will cost you money if you cant communicate
Last edited by oldalaskaman; Jun 4, 2012 at 08:31 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
just found the unpolished ones
Last edited by oldalaskaman; Jun 4, 2012 at 09:57 PM.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Maine
When I talked to the former owner he said he changed from points to “electronic ignition” (His words not mine) he said the tach didn’t work, since it was an automatic he didn’t bother to get a new cable.
We know a new cable wouldn’t have fixed the problem because you guys had me spin the cable end, and the tach jumped. I wish he had been a member here so he could've done it right.
The link with the picture of the msd distributor oldalaskaman posted matched what is in the car right down to the ballast. I can’t keep it original GM because from what I see its all MSD.
We know a new cable wouldn’t have fixed the problem because you guys had me spin the cable end, and the tach jumped. I wish he had been a member here so he could've done it right.
The link with the picture of the msd distributor oldalaskaman posted matched what is in the car right down to the ballast. I can’t keep it original GM because from what I see its all MSD.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
The OP's unit is in no sense of the word an 'HEI' system. At best it's got a traditional coil with an electronic trigger. I wonder if the former owner bypassed the resistor wire to attach the MSD ballast resistor, if if he's now got two in series?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
Every tech.I've been able to find on msd hookup says to bypass oe resister and use theirs coming from switched hot. weather its resister wire or ballast, if its ballast they want theirs in place of. Again based on the pictures, it looks like his po followed the directions. With out a picture of the inside of the op's dist with the cap off and rotor removed, we're just guessing.
to the op , I still think you'll be fine with the bushing.
Last edited by oldalaskaman; Jun 5, 2012 at 02:24 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 111
From: St Louis MO
It's a cast iron chevy tach drive distributor. Most likely, the cross gear and drive gear on the shaft are messed up. Replace both and you'll be fine. Let us know whether the "adapter" works - it won't if it's a chevy distributor.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
mx800 try un-scewing the brass bushing and looking at the little gear inside.
(the brass bushing is the same thing the tach cable was screwed on to)
I put a screw driver in the slot,angle a little bit and tap lightly with a hammer,once it breaks loose it will screw right out.
(the brass bushing is the same thing the tach cable was screwed on to)
I put a screw driver in the slot,angle a little bit and tap lightly with a hammer,once it breaks loose it will screw right out.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Maine
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v434/mxz800/
Roger I tried but my hands are useless today, I did manage to remove the cap n rotor to get some more photos. What is amazing I put it all back and the car started up without blowing up.
Roger I tried but my hands are useless today, I did manage to remove the cap n rotor to get some more photos. What is amazing I put it all back and the car started up without blowing up.