MSD 8570 Installation

MSD Pro-Billet Small Diameter

Chevrolet V8 Distributor

PN 8570

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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 - Wire Retainer
2 - 1.5" Self Tapping Screws
2 - Panhead Phillips Screws

WARNING: Before installing the MSD Distributor, disconnect the battery cables.  When discon-

necting the battery cables,  always remove the Negative (-) cable first and install it 
last.

1 -   Advance Kit
1 -  Gasket
1 -  Tube of Gear Lubricant
2 -  O-Rings

Note:  The terminals of this 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  i nitial  timing  plu s  the  cent rifugal  advance  added  together.  
Example:  10°  Initial + 25° centrifugal  =  35°  Total Timing. (When checking Total timing, disconnect 
the vacuum canister and plug the vacuum source.)

Note: MSD Distributors are supplied with the heavy (slow) advance springs 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.

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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
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:  An engine has 11:1 compression with a high energy ignition.  With the specifications given, 
you will have to retard the timing for the high compression 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  poin t  of  the  centrifugal  advance  curve  is  controlled  by  the  installed  len gth  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.    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. Refer to the Spring 
Combination Chart (Figure 3) for combinations 
that can be achieved.

To  change  the  sp rings,  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

Figure 2 The Factory Equipped Curve. 

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 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.

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. Do not overtighten.

LOCKING OUT THE CENTRIFUGAL
ADVANCE

1. Remove the advance components including the 

springs, weights and the advance stop  bushing 
from the advance assembly.

2.  Remove  the  roll-pin  from  the  drive  gear  and 

remove the gear from the shaft.

3. Slide the shaft two inches out of the housing.

4. Rotate the shaft 180° and insert the advance stop 

bushing pin into the  small  hole on the advance 
plate (Figure 7).

5. Install the locknut and washer to the advance stop 

bushing pin. This locks the advance in place. Do 
not overtighten.

6. Install the drive gear and roll-pin.

BUSHING SIZE APPROXIMATE
CRANKSHAFT
DEGREES

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

Figure 5 Advance Stop Bushing Chart.

Figure 6 Changing the Advance Stop Bushing.

Figure 6  Locking Out the Centrifugal Advance.

Figure 7 Locking Out  the Advance.

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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 5

ADJUSTING THE SLIP COLLAR

Before installing the Pro-Billet Distributor, the slip collar adjustment must be set, follow this procedure.

1. Install the gasket to the housing then loosen the slip collar and insert the distributor into the engine 
until it bottoms out against the oil pump drive.

2. After it bottoms out, raise the distributor 0.010" - 0.030" then slide the slip collar down into position 
and tighten it.

CHECKING GEAR MESH

It is recommended to check for proper gear mesh between the cam gear and  distributor  gear. To 
do this, coat the distributor gear with moly grease and install the distributor. Next, crank the engine 
over several times. Before pulling the distributor out, make sure the rotor is in the position that lines 
up with the original removal mark. Then pull the distributor out and inspect the gear pattern shown 
on the grease. The proper mesh will leave an even pattern in the middle of the gear. Adjust the slip 
collar to obtain the correct mesh.

Checking the Oil Pump to Distributor Shaft Overlap

The proper overlap between the distributor shaft and the oil pump intermediate shaft is very important. 
The tongue of the distributor shaft should fit into the groove of the oil pump shaft by at least 1/4". To 
check this:

1. Measure the distance between the base of the slip collar to the tip of the distributor shaft (Figure 8).

2. Using a straight edge, measure the distance from the intake manifold distributor flange to the top 
of the oil pump intermediate shaft (Figure 8).

3. Take the two measurements and subtract them. The difference is the overlap. If there is not enough 
clearance or too much clearance, a different oil pump intermediate shaft is required.

Figure 8 Measuring Oil Pump Shaft Overlap.

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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 or 
firewall. Note this position by making a  mark 
(Figure 9).

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. Loosen  the  distributor  hold  down  clamp 
and slide the clamp out of the way.

6. Lift the distributor out of the engine.  Note 
that the rotor rotates as you lift the distributor 
out. This is due to the helical cut gear and 
should be taken into consideration when 
installing the new distributor.

7. Install  the  gasket  and  apply  a  liberal 
amount  of  the  supplied  lubricant  to  the 
distributor  gear.  (The  supplied  O-rings 
can  only  be  used  if  the  block  has  been 
modified as shown in Figure 10.)

8. Install the distributor making   sure that the 
rotor comes to rest pointing at the fixed mark. 
If the distributor will not fully seat with  the rotor 
pointing to the  marked position, you may 
need to rotate the oil pump shaft until the rotor 
lines up and the distributor fully seats.

9. Position  and tighten  the hold  down clamp 
onto the distributor.

10. Install the distributor cap and spark plug wires 
one at a time to  ensure correct location. A 
wire retainer is supplied to secure the wires 
in place. Align the mounting bosses and use 
the supplied 1.5" self-tapping Phillips screws 
to hold  the retainer in place (Figure 11).

Figure 9 Marking the Rotor Location.

NOTE: BLOCK MUST BE MODIFIED TO USE O-RINGS.

Figure 10 Modified Block for use with O-Rings.

Figure 11 Installing the Wire Retainer

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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 7

GREEN

GREEN

PN 8860
HARNESS

VIOLET

VIOLET

ORANGE

BLACK

GRAY

TACH OUTPUT

RED

WHITE

FROM IGNITION KEY

(ORIGINAL COIL WIRE)

MAGNETIC

PICKUP

DIGITAL 6AL

REV

LIMITER

(NOT USED)

WARNING: High voltage is present on the coil terminals. Do not touch the terminals or coil tower 

when the engine is cranking or running. 

        Figure 12 Wiring to an MSD 6-Series Ignition Control.

        Figure 13 Wiring to an MSD 7-Series Ignition Control.

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Note: MSD  6  and  7  Series  Ignitions 

share the same color wiring.

        Figure 14 Wiring with an MSD 7-Series Ignition and Timing Control.

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 [phone]. MSD technicians are available from 7:00 a.m. to 
5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday (mountain time).

Limited Warranty

  M

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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© 2013 Autotr onic Con trols Corporat ion

FRM28913          Revised 02/13        Printed in U.S.A.