Installation Owner's manual

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MSD Pro-Billet Ready-to-Run

Chevrolet V8 Distributor, PN 8360

Chevrolet 348, 409 Distributor, PN 8393

WARNING: Before installing the MSD Ready to Run Distributor, disconnect the battery cables.

When disconnecting the battery cables, always remove the Negative (-) cable ﬁrst

and install it last.

ONLINE PRODUCT REGISTRATION: Register your MSD product online and you’ll be entered

in our monthly 8.5mm Super Conductor Spark Plug Wire give-away! Registering your product

will help if there is ever a warranty issue with your product and helps the MSD R&D team create

new products that you ask for! Go to www.msdignition.com/registration.

Important: Read these instructions before attempting the installation.

Parts Included:

1 - Pro-Billet Distributor

1 - Rotor, PN 8467

1 - Distributor Cap, PN 8433

1 - Wire Retainer

2 - 1.5" Self Tapping Screws

2 - 10-32 x 3/4" Socket Head Screws

Note: The terminals of this Ready-to-Run Distributor require spark plug style terminals. You may need to

change the terminals and boots of your wires. MSD offers two kits, PN 8849 or PN 8848 that are supplied

with nine boots and terminals.

Note: If the gear is ever replaced, MSD Gear (PN 8531) is required for replacement due to the .500"

diameter shaft.

TIMING FUNCTIONS

Before continuing with the installation, here are a few deﬁnitions you should be aware of:

Initial Timing: This is the base timing (also referred to as idle timing) of the engine before the centrifugal

advance begins.

Centrifugal Advance: The centrifugal (or mechanical) advance mechanism is made up of weights, springs,

advance cams, and an advance stop bushing. The amount and rate of advance that your distributor is

capable of is determined by the centrifugal timing. If you ever wish to lock out the centrifugal advance,

refer to the centrifugal advance section.

Total Timing: This is the total of the initial timing plus the centrifugal advance added together. Example:

10° Initial + 25° centrifugal = 35° Total Timing. (When checking Total timing, disconnect and cap the

vacuum canister and plug the vacuum line.)

Vacuum Advance: The vacuum advance will advance the timing up to 10° during partial throttle driving (with

15 lbs. of vacuum). The vacuum line should be routed to a ported vacuum outlet above the throttle plates.

Note: MSD Distributors are supplied with the heavy (slow) advance springs and the 21° stop bushing

installed. This is to prevent detonation in certain applications. Review the information on pages 2-4

to determine the best advance curve for your application.

1 - Advance Kit

1 - 3-Pin Harness

1 - Gasket

1 - Tube of Gear Lubricant

2 - O-Rings

1 - Vacuum Advance Lock-Out Kit

1 - Gray Tach Jumper

M S D • W W W . M S D P E R F O R M A N C E . C O M • ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 5 2 0 0 • F A X ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 3 3 4 4

Summary of content (8 pages)

PAGE 1
MSD Pro-Billet Ready-to-Run Chevrolet V8 Distributor, PN 8360 Chevrolet 348, 409 Distributor, PN 8393 ONLINE PRODUCT REGISTRATION: Register your MSD product online and you’ll be entered in our monthly 8.5mm Super Conductor Spark Plug Wire give-away! Registering your product will help if there is ever a warranty issue with your product and helps the MSD R&D team create new products that you ask for! Go to www.msdignition.com/registration.
PAGE 2
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS RPM LIMIT AND TACHOMETER INFORMATION Tach Signal: The Ready-to-Run Distributor features a Gray Tach Output wire which provides a clean signal for most tachometers and even some aftermarket fuel injection systems. The signal output is a 12 volt square wave, 20° duty cycle. This wire is also responsible for programming the built-in rev limiter. Rev Limiter: The Ready-to-Run Distributor has a built-in rev limit that can easily be adjusted from 2,000 rpm to over 10,000 rpm.
PAGE 3
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 3 CENTRIFUGAL ADVANCE CURVE SELECTING THE ADVANCE SPRINGS Timing Curve From Factory The rate, or how quick the advance comes in is determined by the type of springs which are installed on the distributor. The MSD distributors are equipped with two Heavy Silver springs installed. These will give you the slowest advance curve possible (Figure 2). The parts kit contains two additional sets of springs which can be used to match the advance curve to your particular application.
PAGE 4
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS SELECTING THE ADVANCE STOP BUSHING BUSHING SIZE Three different advance stop bushings are supplied in the distributor kit. The distributor comes with a Blue (21°) bushing already installed. If a different amount of centrifugal advance is desired, follow the next procedure to change the bushings. The chart in Figure 5 gives the size and approximate degrees for the corresponding bushings.
PAGE 5
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 5 INSTALLING THE DISTRIBUTOR 1. Remove the existing distributor cap without disconnecting any of the spark plug wires. 2. With the cap off, crank the engine until the rotor is aimed at a fixed point on the engine or firewall. Note this position by making a mark (Figure 8). 3. Place the distributor cap back on and note which plug wire the rotor is pointing to. MARK THE SPARK PLUG WIRES and remove the distributor cap. 4. Disconnect the wiring from the distributor. 5.
PAGE 6
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS RED TO COIL POSITIVE + 12 VOLTS ORANGE TO COIL NEGATIVE - BLACK TO ENGINE GROUND GRAY TO TACH INPUT Figure 10 Wiring the Ready-to-Run Chevrolet Distributor. NOTE: THE READY-TO-RUN DISTRIBUTORS DO NOT REQUIRE AN MSD IGNITION, THOUGH THEY CAN BE USED WITH ONE. GRAY TO TACH INPUT Figure 11 Connecting an MSD Ignition Control to the Ready-to-Run Distributor. MSD • WWW.MSDPERFORMANCE.
PAGE 7
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 7 VACUUM ADVANCE LOCKOUT RELUCTOR PADDLES If you do not want to use the vacuum advance canister of the MSD Distributor, MSD has supplied the distributor with a lockout mechanism. The Lockout bolts in the position of the vacuum canister and will hold the pickup assembly firmly in place. The installation is easiest with the distributor out of the engine. 1. Remove the two Allen head screws that hold the advance canister (Figure 12). 2.
PAGE 8
TACHOMETER INFORMATION The MSD Ready-to-Run has a Gray wire that provides a 12 volt square wave, 20° duty cycle tachometer signal that will trigger most tachometers. It is recommended to connect this lead to your tach’s trigger input wire and check its operation. Note that the rpm limiter is extremely accurate and due to the variety of tachometers available, there may be differences in the displayed rpm. PROGRAMMING THE REV LIMIT A tachometer is required to set the rev limit.