msd distributor
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 188
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From: nova scotia canada
msd distributor
for anyone that has an msd distributor,do you have the vacuum advance
can or did you go without it?What are the pros/cons? Just trying to decide
which one to order,it's a lot of change and i just want to be sure.
thanx wade
can or did you go without it?What are the pros/cons? Just trying to decide
which one to order,it's a lot of change and i just want to be sure.
thanx wade
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Re: msd distributor (wadey)
If the car is street driven go with the vacuum advance one. The extra advance vacuum brings in will give you better mileage. I see no drawbacks to the vacuum system.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
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From: Living in the Hartland
Re: msd distributor (wadey)
One problem I am having with it is when i have it hooked up it causing chuggin or surging at cruise speed. I tried lower my int adv to compensate but lost some performance and low end power. I have it unhooked right now but need to learn more about it, ie whether it can be adjusted or not, but the instruction that come with the unit have little info on it not even how much adv it brings in. Might have to go with an adj unit to gain the fuel econ I am losing without it. I'll wai till I trans plant everything on to the stroker I am going to build.
Instructor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 188
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From: Pearland Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: msd distributor (wadey)
When I got my MSD distributor it came with provisions to remove the vacuum advance canister and block off the advance plate. With this setup you could go either way. Which ever way suited your needs.
Right now i have mine hooked up.
wayne h.
Right now i have mine hooked up.
wayne h.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Re: msd distributor (Blue68)
Fevre, If you have a vacuum pump you could "test" the vacuum can to see how much advance it is pulling in. Just run the car at idle and pump up the vacuum and see how much it goes. I have 12 degrees vacuum in mine and it seems to work good. I have 36 total + 12 vacuum =48 total. It seems to run pretty good. I do have an adjustable vacuum advane. It came with about 28 degrees so I had to set it.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
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From: Living in the Hartland
Re: msd distributor (Gordonm)
Thanks for the tip! After the 383 transplant, I'll give it a try. When you say your's came with it, do you mean the stock MSD vac can is adj or you got is used with the adj vac can on it already? :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
Re: msd distributor (Fevre)
I am running the stock dist. It has been set up on a dist. machine. I have a Crane HI6 attached to it with an adjustable vacuum can. When I put hte can on it had 28 vacuum degrees (Way to much). I had to adjust it. I don't know what kind of can is on the MSD unit.
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 172
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From: Seattle WA
Re: msd distributor (Fevre)
I would suggest always using a vacuum advance since mileage will improve and you will greatly lessen your chances of detonation under part and heavy throttle. The car stays real responsive is you curve the advance correctly, too. the publisher HP Books has a couple of books with lots of info regarding street distributors. One is "How to Hot rod Your Big Block Chevy", another is "Small Block Chevy Performance"
Dyna
Dyna
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
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From: Living in the Hartland
Re: msd distributor (Dyna)
Got the 'How to Hot Rod' book, very good info. I just am not sure how much adv my vac adv unit is providing. I know my int and mech is at 38 when ever I hook my vac adv unit is runs like crap when it hits a cruise rpm's. Think I need and adj one.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Re: msd distributor (Fevre)
I have the MSD Pro Billet and I removed the vacuum can, it can be locked out and there is a piece that fits in to replace the can. So you can wither use the can or not it's up to you. It's a great distributor lets you set any advance curve you want :D
[Modified by MotorHead, 4:01 PM 10/2/2002]
[Modified by MotorHead, 4:01 PM 10/2/2002]