it does but the breaker was not tripped... im working through the troubleshotting on their website... I have 12V at the red wire coming to the MSD box... I guess I need to look at the distributor next

That would be my next move...pull the cap and rotor and there should be a module under there...I had a MSD "billet marine" distributor in my boat before my rebuild and was having ignition issues at the end of last season and when I pulled the cap I'm pretty sure I found the problem...the whole ignition module in the distributor was a solid chunk of rust lol...needless to say I bought a new distributor for the build lol...Like I said swap that out of the other engine and hopefully she'll fire up!! if so...I would replace them both as if one failed the other one can't be far behind it!! just my opinion

so, I think I found the problem... removed the distributor cap and this is what I found....




some additional debris in the bad one.... I assume its toast....




And here's what the other one looks like.... The "good" one....




So is it safe to say I need a couple new distributors??

So how many years has the MSD ,Marine distributors been horribly rusting and they haven't changed a thing ? 20? 25yrs ? More ?

My Sparks Disappeared

L\Do a search, MildThunder found a CRC spray that keeps corrosion away from inside these distributors. If you choose to stay with Many Schit Distributors.

I went with all star brand dist from Lane automotive here in Michigan....similar design to the MSD but a fraction of the cost and theyre billet with I think better quality looking guts....Who makes a true marine dist?? Daytona??

And yes I would replace both dist if I were you bud...glad you found the problem!!

MSD now has an anodized distributor but that may not solve their problem. I've had it with MSD. I'm replacing the ones in the Formula this winter with DUI and the Hustler to if they'll clear the blower.

Anodizing the distributor body has nothing to due with the quickly and heavily corroding weights, screws, magnetic pick up assembly,etc........

Agreed..........

Further venting (put a vacuum fitting in one of the brass screen holes, then route the line to a fitting on the flame arrestor) the cap may be a solution....similar to what GM did with the later optispark distributors on LT1's. That way fresh air is pulled through it continuously and it can dry out.

In case people missed this as it appears some did. ^^^

Many Soon Die