MSD Distributor rust
 

Can I still use this Distributor. Is there replacement parts for the ones that are rusty.Its a MSD 8560. Don't no how the water made it in. Thanks Phil

Re: MSD Distributor rust
 

Send it back to MSD in El Paso & they'll freshin it up for you.

If you do send it out, check out thier turn around time. Gets busy this time of year. I would also send them the MSD box to check that out as well. Ideally if you can afford to keep a spare box it would be a good idea. Seems they always go out when you need it the most.

Re: MSD Distributor rust
 

mine did the same thing.

Re: MSD Distributor rust
 

I sent mine for a refresh three years ago. The cost was $75.00. You will receive (basically) a new distributor, cap included.
Chances are, it will not be the same one you send them.
I had a small prick punch on the base ring to help facilitate installation and get me close to base timing. The distributor I received did not have the prick punch.
It is a good deal.

Re: MSD Distributor rust
 

They all do that.Take it apart,brush off all the rust,spray paint the rotor with a can of Merc. etching primer,this will last several seasons.

Re: MSD Distributor rust
 

You can buy all the parts from Summit and do it your self if MSD's turn around is too long. CHange the distributor gear while your at it.

Re: MSD Distributor rust
 

Took mine apart yesterday and it was trashed. No onder the boat was hard to start and wouldnt idle ..

Re: MSD Distributor rust
 

Thanks Cig3. Summit has it all. Just one question anyone ever replace the reluctor in there msd billet PN-8560. I've change gears and rotors but never the reluctor. Thanks Phil

Re: MSD Distributor rust
 

I did.. and the replacement was a bit different than the one I took off. I think there was an extra slot or something, but they just press off, not a big deal. I just cant remember what I found different.. I think I had to cut a slot in the new one.. have to revisit it..

Dick

Re: MSD Distributor rust
 

Thanks Dick. You said it was short a slot? I have the link to summit with the reluctor showing. Does this one have the slot you were talking about. thanks again.

Phil

http://store.summitracing.com/largei...t=MSD-PRD10071

Re: MSD Distributor rust
 

I think the rust comes from water vapor in the oil, gets up around the dist drive.

Re: MSD Distributor rust
 

Same thing here...had a non vented cap, switched to a vented style.

Re: MSD Distributor rust
 

Same thing happened here. I usually tell customers not to run the MSD dist but to use the Mercury dist instead. Mostly because if this problem happens to you while on vacation or not near home, you can usually stop into any marine parts store and get parts for the Mercury dist. I have in the past dismantled the MSD and used clear coat paint and painted the shaft and the pickup hardware. That helps greatly in the corossion process. Then you just have to worry about the advance weights and springs in some MSD dist. as well.

As usuall, just .02. I still run both when the customer wants it. Now it just moved the service interval up.

John S. :D

Re: MSD Distributor rust
 

Thats what I would do.All ya need is a cap and rotor for the tune up.Thats the triger wheel that rusted .bead blast if ya can. I would think if ya painted it it might not pickup the signal?? Might have to sand the flat surface for it to pick up.

I took my 500efi dist apart and did the same to it.

rob :drink:

Re: MSD Distributor rust
 

This subject was covered on a thread about a year ago. I took my MSD apart wire brushed all the metal surfaces clean with a Dremel tool and coated it all with CRC corrosion inhibitor available at Grainger's. No more rust or white stuff.
Dave

Re: MSD Distributor rust
 

Yeah to what RLW said. If you go to the local store, just for a new cap & rotor it's going to cost you something like $50......BUT if you send your entire distributor into MSD they will rebuild the WHOLE THING for about $75. I sent mine in last year while my engines were being built---they looked brand new! I would say it's a VERY GOOD DEAL! I sent them in January and turn around time was about 2 weeks.

MSD Ignition (915) 857-5200
Repair Dept.
12120 Esther Lama Dr.
Dock #5
Elpaso, TX 79936

Re: MSD Distributor rust
 

Turn around may be a bit longer this time of year. I usually send mine out every 2 years during the winter when its not a rush.

Re: MSD Distributor rust
 

I was planning on installing a new MSD redy to run distributor in my boat. How long does it take before they have problems is it really worth the trouble?

Re: MSD Distributor rust
 

Unless you're turning your engine over 6000 , I don't think it's necessary or worth the trouble :( IMHO

Re: MSD Distributor rust
 

I just pull the cap a couple times a year & blast with WD-40..Never had a problem....The CRC stuff is probably better yet.
I started doing this years ago when my Merc Dist. rusted up in a 260

Re: MSD Distributor rust
 

Yeah this needs more checking, often to see if it happens again.
Don't want to see this photo again. If you look at the top of the gurdles and the bottom of the heads you can see the milk shake. too much back firing= blown head gasket. :eek:

Re: MSD Distributor rust
 

I think it is inexcusable for a distributor, sold as a marine unit, to rust up the way they do.
Bought one MSD setup on first boat, rusted every year. Last MSD junk i ever bought.
I MUCH prefer the Crane HI-6M, and the stock Merc. distributor is hall effect to boot. MSD who?

Re: MSD Distributor rust
 

When I bought my boat 6 years ago, it already had the MSD billet distributors with the MSD ignition boxes. I got rid of the MSD ignition boxes and I went with the Crane Hi-M6 ignition boxes instead, but I decided to retain the MSD billet distributors. I also decieded to go with an MSD crank trigger system relying on the pickup from the crank vs inside the distributor. With a crank trigger system the timing never moves, and it is a very reliable set-up. I've had it for 6 years and no problems.

I've had the same original Crane HI-M6 ignition boxes for 6 years without any problems (fresh water environment) as well. One of the Crane boxes even had several gallons of hi-pressure water sprayed on it when I first installed it 6 years ago----still no problems after all these years.

Re: MSD Distributor rust
 

I just bought 2 crane HI-6M boxes for my boat. What is the correct hookup to merc style Dist? Are they Hall Effect or magnetic? Thanks for any info