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  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
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late model dizzy and MSD box on carbed moter?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Britt
  • Start date Start date Sep 5, 2004
B

Britt

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May 2, 2002
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South Carolina
Sep 5, 2004
#1
  • Sep 5, 2004
  • #1
I have an 89 distributor and I know I cant use it without a computer. But I heard that I could get a MSD box and plug it into the dist. and It would work well. Is this true? All I have to do Is get a MSD box to use this dist. on a carbed moter?

Thanks,
Britt
 

MrBobMarley

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Ft Myers, FL
Sep 5, 2004
#2
  • Sep 5, 2004
  • #2
There is also the issue of the dist. gear being changed out. I forget how it goes but I think you need to get the correct one to match the cam. Someone here can tell you exactly.
 
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Britt

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#3
  • Sep 5, 2004
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I think the only time you need to swap the gear is when you have a roller cam where a steel gear would be needed for extra strenth and wear.

Any one else? Is the box the only thing I need to run an 89 dist.?
 

allcarfan

The Answer Man
Founding Member
Apr 8, 2001
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North Atlanta
Sep 5, 2004
#4
  • Sep 5, 2004
  • #4
Hmmmm....I dont think you can just plug in a late model dist to an MSD box and it work. Doesnt that dist have a large connector on it for the computer with about a half dozen wires on it?
 
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Britt

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  • Sep 5, 2004
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allcarfan said:
Hmmmm....I dont think you can just plug in a late model dist to an MSD box and it work. Doesnt that dist have a large connector on it for the computer with about a half dozen wires on it?
Click to expand...

Yes, It has a large connector. So, Is their any way to run this on a carbed moter without problems? Would I be better off with a stock 30 year old distributor? I heard you can get a 85 or 86 distributor and run a msd box and that works good.
 

ratio411

Founding Member
Apr 21, 2002
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Pensacola FL
Sep 5, 2004
#6
  • Sep 5, 2004
  • #6
I run an early Duraspark in my stuff.
All the MSD needs is a trigger pulse.
That is supplied by the magnet system.
IMO magnets are far more reliable and maint. free compared to points, 'unilite' types, etc...
The late Duraspark stuff, though I don't know for sure, seems like too much hassle to use compared to one with 2 wires.
Dave
 

LMan

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Aug 10, 2002
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Sep 6, 2004
#7
  • Sep 6, 2004
  • #7
Britt said:
I think the only time you need to swap the gear is when you have a roller cam where a steel gear would be needed for extra strenth and wear.

Any one else? Is the box the only thing I need to run an 89 dist.?
Click to expand...

The steel gear on the roller-motOr dist will eat up your iron cam. Swap it for a bronze or iron dist gear. Or you'll be back here shortly asking for engine-rebuiling advice
 
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