MSD 8478 Installation

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MSD Pro-Billet Small Diameter

Street Ford V8 Distributor

PN 8477; 351C-460, PN 8478; 351W

PN 8479; 289/302

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Important: Read these instructions before attempting the installation.

Parts Included:

1 - Pro-Billet Distributor 1 - Rotor, PN 8467 1 - Distributor Cap, PN 8431 1 - Advance Kit 1 - O-ring Seal 1 - Tube of Gear Lubricant 1 - Parts Bag

Note: An MSD 6, 7, 8 or 10 Series Ignition Control must be used.

Note: The spark plug wire terminals of the Small Diameter Distributors are HEI style terminals. You

may need to change the terminals and boots of your wires. MSD offers a kit, PN 8850, that comes with nine 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 of centrifugal advance that your distributor is capable of is determined by the stop bushing. If you ever wish to lock out the centrifugal advance, refer to the centrifugal advance section.

Total Timing: This is the t otal of the initial timing plus the centrifugal advanc e added together. Example: 10° Initial + 25° centrifugal = 35° Total Timing. (When checking Total timing, disconnect and plug the vacuum advance.)

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.

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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.

FACTOR Advance Timing Retard Timing For For

Cylinder Pressure Low High RPM Low High Vacuum High Low Energy of Ignition Low High Fuel Octane High Low Mixture (Air/Fuel) Rich Lean Temperature Cool Hot Combustion Chamber Shape Open Compact Spark Plug Location Offset Center Combustion Turbulence Low High Load Light Heavy

Figure 1 Ignition Timing Factors.

As you can see from the chart, most factors will change throughout the range of the engine operation. The timing mechanism of the distributor must make timing changes based on these factors.

Example: A Ford V8 has 11:1 compression, a high energy ignition and turns 5,500 rpm. With the speciﬁcations given, you will have to retard the timing for the high compression, low rpm and high energy ignition. By comparing the engine’s speciﬁcations against the chart, a usable timing guideline can be found. Engines with a combination of items from both columns will require a timing that is set in the mid range.

Obviously a full technical explanation of correct ignition timing would be very complicated. The best way to arrive at a suitable ignition curve for your engine is to use the Ignition Timing Factors Chart as a guide and compare it to the Advance Graphs in Figure 4 until a suitable curve is found. When selecting your advance curve, use detonation (engine ping) as an indicator of too much advance, and a decrease in power as an indicator of too little advance.

TIPS ON SELECTING AN ADVANCE CURVE

• Use as much initial advance as possible without encountering excessive starter load.

• Start the centrifugal advance just above the idle rpm.

• The starting point of the centrifugal advance curve is controlled by the installed length and tension of the spring.

• How quickly the centrifugal advance (slope) comes in is controlled by the spring stiffness. The stiffer the spring, the slower the advance curve.

• The amount of advance is controlled by the advance bushing. The bigger the bushing, the smaller the amount of advance.

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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 3

CENTRIFUGAL ADVANCE CURVE

SELECTING THE ADVANCE SPRINGS

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 (Figure

2). 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. Refer to the Spring Combination Chart (Figure 3) for combinations that can be achieved.

To change the springs, remove the cap and rotor and use needlenose pliers to remove the springs. Be sure the new springs seat in the groove on the pin.

Timing Curve From Factory

SPRING COMBINATION RATE OF ADVANCE FIGURE 4

2- Heavy Silver SLOWEST A 1- Heavy Silver B 1- Light Blue 1-Heavy Silver C 1-Light Silver 2- Light Blue D 1- Light Silver E 1- Light Blue 2- Light Silver FASTEST F

Figure 2 The Factory Equipped Curve. Figure 3 Spring Combination Chart.

Figure 4 Advance Curves.

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4 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

SELECTING THE ADVANCE STOP BUSHING

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.

BUSHING SIZE APPROXIMATE CRANKSHAFT DEGREES

Red-Smallest 28 Silver 25 Blue 21 Black-Largest 18

Figure 5 Advance Stop Bushing Chart.

CHANGING THE ADVANCE STOP BUSHINGS

1. Remove the distributor cap and rotor.

2. Remove the locknut and washer on the bottom of the advance assembly (Figure 6).

3. Remove the bushing and install the new one. Install the washer and locknut.

LOCKING OUT THE CENTRIFUGAL ADVANCE

1. Remove the cap and rotor.

2. Remove the advance springs, weights and th e ad va nc e st op bus hi ng fro m th e advance assembly.

3. Remove the roll-pin from the shaft and slide the retaining sleeve down. It should not be

necessary to remove the gear (Figure 7).

4. Slid e the sh a ft two i nches o u t of th e housing.

5. Ro t ate t h e sh aft 180° a n d in ser t t he advance stop bushing pin into the small hole on the advance plate (Figure 8).

6. Insta l l the locknu t a nd washer t o t he advance stop bushing pin.

7. Install the retaining sleeve and roll-pin.

Figure 6 Changing the Advance Stop Bushing.

Figure 7 Removing the Retaining Sleeve.

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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 5

INSTALLING THE DISTRIBUTOR

1. Remove the existing d i stributor cap without disconnecting any of the spa rk 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 9).

3. Place the distri butor cap back on and

note which plug wire the rotor is pointing to. MARK THE SPARK PLUG WIRES and remove the distributor cap.

4. D i s c o n n e c t t h e w i r i n g f r o m th e

distributor.

5. L o o s e n t he d is tr ib ut or h ol d- d o w n

clamp, slide the clamp out of the way and lift the distributor out of the engine.

6. Install the supplied O-ring seal in the

groove on the di stributor land. Apply a thin layer of oil to the housing O-ring.

7. Install the distributor ma ki ng sure that

the rotor comes to rest pointing at the fixed mark. If the distributor will not fully s e at w ith the roto r pointing to the marked position, you may need to rotate the oil pump shaft until the roto r lines up and the distributor fully seats.

8. Posi t ion and tighten the ho l d -down

clamp onto the distributor.

9. Ins tall the rotor and distributor cap. It is

recommended to use a drop of B lue Loctite on the distributor cap hold down bolts.

10. Install the spark plug wires from the old cap one at a time to ensure correct location.

Figure 8 Locking Out the Centrifugal Advance.

Figure 9 Marking the Rotor Location.

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6 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Figure 10 Wiring the Ready-to-Run Ford Distributor.

Figure 11 Connecting an MSD Ignition Control.

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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 7

Tech Notes

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TECH NOTES

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Service

In case of malfunction, this MSD component will be repaired free of charge according to the terms of the warranty.

When returning MSD components for warranty service, Proof of Purchase must be supplied for veriﬁcation. After the warranty period has expired, repair service is based on a minimum and maximum fee.

All returns must have a Return Material Authorization (RMA) number issued to them before

being returned. To obtain an RMA number please contact MSD Customer Service at 1 (888) MSD-7859 or visit our website at www.msdperformance.com/rma to automatically obtain a number and shipping information.

When returning the unit for repair, leave all wires at the length in which you have them installed. Be sure to include a detailed account of any problems experienced, and what components and accessories are installed on the vehicle. The repaired unit will be returned as soon as possible using Ground shipping methods (ground shipping is covered by warranty). For more information, call MSD at (915) 855-7123. MSD technicians are available from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday (mountain time).

Limited Warranty

SD warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship under its intended normal use*, when properly installed and purchased from an authorized MSD dealer, for a period of one year from the date of the original purchase. This warranty is void for any products purchased through auction websites. If found to be defective as mentioned above, it will be repaired or replaced at the option of MSD. Any item that is covered under this warranty will be returned free of charge using Ground shipping methods. This shall constitute the sole remedy of the purchaser and the sole liability of MSD. To the extent permitted by law, the foregoing is exclusive and in lieu of all other warranties or representation whether expressed or implied, including any implied warranty of merchantability or ﬁtness. In no event shall MSD or its suppliers be liable for special or consequential damages. *Intended normal use means that this item is being used as was originally intended and for the original application as sold by MSD. Any modiﬁcations to this item or if it is used on an application other than what MSD markets the product, the warranty will be void. It is the sole responsibility of the customer to determine that this item will work for the application they are intending. MSD will accept no liability for custom applications.

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FRM28711 Revised 02/12 Printed in U.S.A.

MSD 8478 Installation

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual