MSD distributor gear to block clearance

[rockin_rick]

Did anyone else running a MSD 8455 Pro-Billet distributor check their gear to block clearance? I checked mine and the gear was riding on the block. I couldn't get a .004 feeler gauge (smallest I have) in between them. I have a book that says I need .040. I called MSD and the guy said it's fine. I called Ed Curtis and he said it sucks and that I should file grooves into the bottom of the gear where it rides on the block. I called MSD again, and a different guy said that it's ok, but to me, he didn't sound like he really knew.

Has anyone else running this distro checked their clearance? Has anyone else not checked and had issues with it? You can't check the clearance without the cam out of the engine. So if you were just to swap it out, you wouldn't be able to check this clearance.

Rick

 

[RIO5.0]

I got a new on sitting in the garage wtg install....i know there roller bearing and a tighter tolerance than the stocker...not sure if thats some of the issue??? Never heard or read any post complaing of any probs....funky, its 94/95 specific too???

Let me know how it goes....my motor in the car, so I cant visualize the problem??? can you snap a pic for us???

 

[194stang]

i have that same dist......didnt check but went in with no probs and no trouble since

 

[rockin_rick]

It's where the bottom of the gear rides on the yellow circled surface.

Rick

(Red circle - thanks again, Andy )

 

[RIO5.0]

Cool...Thanks for the pics... Did you have the shaft in when you took the measurement??? Didn't now if you had the pan off it...

 

[rockin_rick]

I had the cam out, pump out, shaft out. It was a bare short block assy. Dropped the distro in and bolted it down. No clearance. You have to have the cam out to be able to get a feeler gauge in there. The book that I have (Mustang Performance Handbook - Mathais) that says .040" clearance is perhaps considering a brass or iron gear and not the steel one that's on it????

Rick

 

[RIO5.0]

Hmmmm...outta curiousity, pop the pump/shaft in, and retry...wondering if the shaft comes into play???

 

[Zero Signal]

So what kind of issues are we talking about since it has no clearance? I've been running mine for about 5k miles without a single problem