Msd Distributor 69 351w

69shocktower

69shocktower

Active Member
Nov 5, 2003
173
21
39
Dakotas
#1
I am trying to install the MSD digital distributor PN 8578 and series 6 ignition control box. The bottom end of the distributor that connects to the oil pump drive gear does not fit on the drive gear. I tried several times inserting. Comparing with the original distributor the threads in the hole are very different. I talked to MSD on the phone and they said they do not make different bottom end shafts for this distributor. So WTF?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated because I am F'd right now.
 
Last edited:

  • Sponsors (?)


#3
Heres a pic of why it wont fit. Ive confirmed I have the right MSD distributor for 351W. They also dont look same size in this pic but they are same width.

driveoilgear.jpg
 
#4
Find an alen wrench that fits inside the dist.shaft and try it in the other one you will see it is the same .The problem is the oil pump shaft some times will not be aligned and needs to be turned so the gears on the cam shaft ,the distributor ,and the oil pump drive key will all come together .The distributor will mesh with the cam but the oil pump shaft will be slightly off ,that is why you need to either turn the oil pump shaft or turn the motor over slightly so the shaft will align and allow the distributor to drop all the way in .
 
#7
I discovered the oil drive gear is a 5/16 nut on 69 351w. So I got a 5/16 nut and was able to get it to fit. After pushing it in and out a few times it got easier so it will fit. So now the issue is getting it PERFECTLY lined up so it will seat. I have been rotating the gear by hand with a socket a teeny bit at a time all afternoon with no luck. I also marked the socket where a flat surface is so I could try line up with where it lines up where the rotor is on the distributor but no luck. I guess all I can do is keep trying. Besides taking the oil pan off I haven't found any tricks online to make this easier. If there is please let me know. Thanks,
 
#8
Set the distributor in place so it is as close to your number one spark plug wire in the distributor cap as possible .The gears should be engaged ,gently push down on the distributor as you turn the motor with a breaker bar and socket on the crank bolt .It should not have to be turned very far and the distributor will drop in place .
Just remember as the distributor falls in it will rotate the rotor a bit more so allow for it .
Once it seats you can turn the motor back to top dead center if that is where you had it .

Edit : I would set the motor to top dead center if it isn't already ,then set the rotor to drop in on the number one spark plug wire on the distributor cap .that will make it easier to get your timing close enough to start .
 
Last edited:
#9
I did this at about 5pm yesterday so this is how I got it done. But thanks for the suggestions. Over all you helped me figure out a different solution.

After 3 hours of manually turning the gear. Teenie tiny turns. It still would not go on. I wont say how I got it to fit because I will take tons of hell for it. But I "adjusted" it and it went on after only like 10 minutes of trying again.

The problem was that the "precision machined" product was overly precisioned and it physically will not fit a 5/16 gear. You have to make it fit yourself.
 
#10
I was able to get this installed despite the oil gear drive not fitting right away and MSD not telling me it came with the right cam gear to begin with. It ran pretty good a few times but probably didn't fix whatever is wrong with my engine. You can see in the video that it runs good after install, next day won't start. Get it running by turning distributor, time it. Won't start again. I'm done for the winter now.

 
#11
You said the car hadn't run in 2 years ? Was there gas in the carb the whole time ? If so, the carb is probably filled with varnish and needs to be rebuilt. Also you should try running the motor from a gas can. Just hook some hose into the fuel pump inlet and run it into a plastic fuel can so you know you are getting nothing but clean/fresh gas. Old gas can really screw with you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
#13
I run a full MSD setup in my car and I had some issues with my 6AL a couple years ago. It was the old style, but after A LOT of troubleshooting, I finally contacted MSD and they sent me a new digital 6AL. Upon re-installation, I ended up running into what seems like it is your current problem. Again, after a lot of troubleshooting, I found that I had a bad ground wire/connection. After I addressed the ground issue, the ignition ran without a hitch. I hope that helps you some, it was VERY frustrating for me at the time, so I feel your pain!! Good luck!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
#14
horse sence said:
Is the accelerator pumping fuel ,if it hasnt been ran that long it probably dried up .along with bad gas that would do it .The accelerator squirters may also be plugged from varnished fuel ,i have had that happen from just setting a month or two .
Click to expand...

Yes the gas was bad. That's the first thing I fixed this spring. Used air tank to blow out the fuel line and empty the tank, new carb kit and soaked the carb. New fuel pump. The gas was not a contributing factor as you can see in the video it ran good after MSD install. Then wouldnt run again do too unknown problem.
 
#15
LILCBRA said:
I run a full MSD setup in my car and I had some issues with my 6AL a couple years ago. It was the old style, but after A LOT of troubleshooting, I finally contacted MSD and they sent me a new digital 6AL. Upon re-installation, I ended up running into what seems like it is your current problem. Again, after a lot of troubleshooting, I found that I had a bad ground wire/connection. After I addressed the ground issue, the ignition ran without a hitch. I hope that helps you some, it was VERY frustrating for me at the time, so I feel your pain!! Good luck!!
Click to expand...

I can only pray that you had the same problem and can tell me which ground was bad? Was the bad ground somewhere in the ignition system?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
#16
It turned out that the ground I had crimped to the MSD itself wasn't crimped well enough, so I corrected that as well as making sure I had a clean connection to the engine. I hope that is similar to what you find as well since it will be a cheap and easy fix.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
#17
LILCBRA said:
It turned out that the ground I had crimped to the MSD itself wasn't crimped well enough, so I corrected that as well as making sure I had a clean connection to the engine. I hope that is similar to what you find as well since it will be a cheap and easy fix.
Click to expand...

I will definately check that but I don't think that's my main problem. The reason I installed the MSD was because the distributor hold down nut was loose and wouldn't start till I turned it all the way clockwise. It started but didn't run smooth as it was not properly timed. After timing it , it started while warm but week later wouldn't start again until I turned the distributor all the way clockwise again. And it's still doing that now after installing MSD. And nothing has changed from when it ran fine the previous year!! It's just friggin BIZARRE!
 
#18
69shocktower, we have the same colour car,engine etc. I have a MSD distributor on it already fitted but what I found with it was the length of the distributor shaft, I can only fit a rectangle air cleaner on the carby. I will be changing this (still using MSD) ignition systems but, I want to in the future fit a shaker when I up gun the engine HP.
 
#19
Wayne Lampard said:
69shocktower, we have the same colour car,engine etc. I have a MSD distributor on it already fitted but what I found with it was the length of the distributor shaft, I can only fit a rectangle air cleaner on the carby. I will be changing this (still using MSD) ignition systems but, I want to in the future fit a shaker when I up gun the engine HP.
Click to expand...

MSD has a stock size option to avoid clearance issues. That's what I have.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

1
94 GT HCI: Won't find /hold idle when Warm to Temp
Replies
2
Views
1K
1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
1994FiveO
1
9
1995 Mustang GT Crank no Start
Replies
6
Views
1K
1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
SRago
S
keel
Engine Ticking noise is driving me crazy
Replies
14
Views
2K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
General karthief
General karthief
A
1991 5.0 with HCI - started car, running for a few minutes, started pushing coolant into the overflow tank and then puking out from there. I'm lost
Replies
6
Views
2K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
CAMTWO1070
CAMTWO1070
B
For Sale 1986 Capstang (Part Capri & part Mustang) $12,000 Galena, Ohio
Replies
1
Views
1K
Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93)
General karthief
General karthief
Top Bottom
Back
New
Hot
Menu