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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
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• 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 5 - 7 1 2 3 • F A X ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 3 3 4 4
INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
Step 1 -
Disconnect the point trigger wire from the coil (–) terminal.
Step 2 -
Locate the spark plug wire on the distributor cap that the engine timing is set from. See a
service manual for these locations. Mark the distributor housing, in line with this spark plug
wire position on the distributor cap.
Step 3 -
Turn the engine crankshaft until the timing mark lines up with the TDC (top dead center) mark
on the timing tab. See a service manual for these locations.
Note:
Removing the spark plugs may make it easier to turn the crankshaft.
Step 4 -
Remove the distributor cap from the distributor and lay it aside. Do not remove the spark plug
wires or coil wire. The rotor blade should point to the mark made on the distributor housing
(from Step 2). If it is not, turn the engine crankshaft one full turn (repeating Step 3) until the
timing mark lines up (again) with the TDC mark on the timing tab.
Note:
Once you are finished with Step 4, DO NOT turn the crankshaft until the distributor is installed
– Step 12.
Step 5 -
Note the direction the rotor is pointing. Note the direction the vacuum chamber is pointing.
Disconnect the vacuum chamber hose at the carburetor and temporarily plug this carburetor
fitting. Remove the distributor hold down clamp and remove the distributor from the engine.
Step 6 -
Remove the rotor. Disconnect the primary point wire. Remove the primary wire and grommet
from the distributor. Remove the points and the condenser from the breaker plate.
Step 7 -
(See Figure 1) - Install the mounting plate flat against the breaker plate where the points were.
Secure using two 8-32 x 1/4 flathead screws.
Note:
Occasionally, the breaker plate ground wire will interfere. Pry the breaker plate ground wire from
the breaker plate, and disconnect it from vacuum chamber mounting screw. The E-Spark™
Ignition System will operate without the breaker plate ground wire.
Step 8 -
Apply a thin coat of heat sink compound to the bottom of the module. Install the module onto
the mounting plate with two 6-32 x 3/16 screws. See Figure 1. Secure the three module wire
to the breaker plate with a cable tie.
Step 9 -
Install the grommet in the hole in the distributor hosing where the primary point wire had
previously fed through. Slide the three wires from the module, through the grommet, to outside
the distributor housing.
Step 10 -
(See Figure 2) Put the three wires from the module in the female connector: green wire in hole
#1; brown wire in hole #2; red wire in hole #3. Plug the distributor wire harness into the female
connector. See Figure 2.
Step 11 -
Install the two–piece shutter underneath the rotor drive plate and install two 8-32 bolts. The
hex heads of the 8-32 bolts fits into the matching holes on the underside of the shutter wheel.
Install the rotor on the rotor drive and install two 8-32 hex nuts. See Figure 1.
Note:
Some distributors use a rotor made from a flexible plastic. File or cut the rotor locator (on the
bottom of the rotor) so that it measures 1/8" in length. Install rotor and shutter as described in
Step 11.
Step 12 -
Install the distributor with the rotor and vacuum chamber pointing in the direction as noted in
Step 5. The rotor must be pointing (approximately) at the mark on the distributor housing from
Step 2.
Note:
The distributor must be fully seated into the engine. It may be necessary to turn the oil pump
drive, or turn the engine crankshaft two full turns until the timing mark lines up (again) with the
TDC mark on the timing tab, to allow the distributor to seat fully.
Step 13 -
Turn the distributor housing until the nearest slot on the shutter wheel is approximately in
the center of the optics of the module. This will generally give timing close enough for starting
purposes. The rotor must be pointing (approximately) at the mark on the distributor housing
from Step 2. Put the distributor hold down clamp in place and tighten slightly, leaving it loose
enough to turn the distributor.
Step 14 -
Install the distributor cap.
