Installation User guide

ManualsBrandsMSD ManualsCar8388 Chrysler 318-360, Ready to Run Distributor

MSD Pro-Billet Ready-to-Run

Chrysler V8 Distributor

PN 8388; 318, 340, 360, PN 8386; 383, 400

PN 8387; 426, 440

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.msdperformance.com/registration.

Important: Read these instructions before attempting the installation.

Parts Included:

1 - Pro-Billet Distributor

1 - Rotor, PN 8467

1 - Distributor Cap

1 - Advance Kit

1 - O-ring Seal

1 - Gray Tach Jumper

1 - Parts Bag

Replacement Cap

Distributor PN 8386, PN 8387 - PN 8431

Distributor PN 8388 - PN 8437 or PN 8433

Note: The PN 8386 and PN 8387 distributors feature HEI style plug wire terminals. You may need to

change the terminals and boots of your wires. MSD offers a kit, PN 8848, that comes with nine

HEI style boots and terminals.

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 timi n g plus the centrifugal advance added together.

Example: 10° Initial + 25° centrifugal = 35° Total Timing (When checking Total timing, disconnect

anc 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.

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. The default is 10,000 rpm. To set the rev limiter, run the engine to half

the desired rpm then ground the Gray tach wire (a jumper is supplied) for approximately one

second. Every time the key is turned to the On position, the tach will display the programmed

rpm limit. See page 8 for the programming procedure.

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 Chrysler V8 Distributor PN 8388; 318, 340, 360, PN 8386; 383, 400 PN 8387; 426, 440 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.msdperformance.com/registration.
PAGE 2
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS CHOOSING AN ADVANCE CURVE The function of the advance curve is to match the ignition timing to the burning rate of the fuel and speed (rpm) of the engine. Any factor that changes the burning rate of the fuel or the engine speed can cause a need for an ignition timing change. Figure 1 shows some of the factors that will affect engine timing.
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. 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. Red-Smallest - 0.283" Silver - 0.313" Blue - 0.343" Black-Largest - 0.
PAGE 5
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 5 OPTIONAL 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 9). 2.
PAGE 6
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 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. Note this position by making a mark (Figure 11). 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 7
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 7 GRAY TO TACH INPUT Figure 12 Wiring the Ready-to-Run Chrysler Distributor. GRAY TO TACH INPUT Figure 13 Connecting an MSD Ignition Control. MSD • WWW.MSDPERFORMANCE.
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.