MIKE H

I WANT TO REPLACE MY MSD DISTRIBUTOR. IT IS CONSTANTLY RUSTING UP, SO BAD INFACT THAT THERE IS RUST ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAP. I HAVE TWO MSD BOXES (ONE IN USE AND A BRAND NEW BACKUP)AND THE SOFT TOUCH REV LIMITER SO I DON'T WANT TO REPLACE THE WHOLE SYSTEM. IS THERE ANOUTHER DISTRIBUTER THAT I CAN USE WITH THIS SYSTEM. IF I PLUG THE VENT HOLES WOULD THIS HELP IT TO RUST LESS OR ARE THE VENTS NECCESSARY. I ALSO USE A LOCKED OUT TIMING SET AT 35*.

THANKS FOR ANY INPUT

mcollinstn

Remove the trigger and paint the insides. Just make sure you keep a clean ground pad for the trigger. Reinstall the trigger, and brush liquid rubber on any exposed metal. Vents are necessary, but you CAN hose them to a polyester filter.

MIKE H

Is there any special type of paint that needs to be used on the trigger or will Tremclad rust paint work and when venting through a polyester filter where is the best location to vent it to?

Thanks for the reply

bobby daniels

Most dist. will work just fine ,but paint is the answer as the msd is a great dist ,most of the time you can get away with out the hole ,,,if it starts mis firing then put the hole back

rbtnt

MSD will do a complete rebuild for $75. That includes all new parts on the top end and new gear and bushings on the bottom end. I don't think it includes a cap or rotor. I sent an old one last spring with an old cap and rotor and they sent it back with new cap and rotor. Last fall I sent one in without cap and rotor and it came back without cap and rotor.

RLW

Had my MSD distributor rebuilt this winter. It came back like brand new with new cap and rotor. Considering the price for a new cap and rotor, it is a great deal. Now I can see how long it takes to rust up.

birdog

Remove cap..........spray inside down with WD-40...Once or
twice per season...fresh water......more often salt

mcollinstn

Any decent primer/paint combo. Krylon/Rustoleum/PlastiKote, etc..

MIKE H

Thanks for all responses, gives me lots to work with.

Escape Velocity

I had the same corrosion problem in my first MSD distributor. I replaced the distributor (didn't know about the good deal on MSD refurbishing service).

Tyler Crockett recommended spraying CRC brand Industrial SP-400 Corrosion Inihibitor (part no. 03282) all over the inside of the new distributor, including the inside of the cap and rotor. It leaves a translucent coating that dries and isn't oily. I had to get my local hardware store to special order this spray because it is an industrial product.

The distributor is perfect after three years and counting. Each year when I replace the distributor cap and rotor I spray these new parts. Afterward, the first couple times I run the boat I get a kind of sweet smell, probably from the arcing inside the cap burning off some of the coating.