• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech

MSD Distributor?

  • Thread starter Thread starter KBCobra95
  • Start date Start date Jun 7, 2006

KBCobra95

New Member
Aug 28, 2005
356
0
0
North Carolina
Jun 7, 2006
#1
  • Jun 7, 2006
  • #1
Is this a good replacement over the stock one? The stator is going out and I figured now would be the itme to "upgrade" the distributor. Also, is the TFI on the side of the 94-95 MSD distributor? Atleast that is how the picture depicts it. Thanks, Andrew.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Jun 7, 2006
#2
  • Jun 7, 2006
  • #2
Foxes have the side mounted TFI - yours should not.

There's not a lot of choice for dizzies - the brand you mentioned is not my favorite.
 

95WhiteVenom

Founding Member
Oct 27, 2002
624
0
16
Alabama
Jun 7, 2006
#3
  • Jun 7, 2006
  • #3
passenger side fender for ign. mod. looks like a mini amp.
 

Zero Signal

Active Member
Feb 24, 2003
2,633
2
46
Tucson, AZ
Jun 7, 2006
#4
  • Jun 7, 2006
  • #4
The MSD-8455 is the right one for our cars, I'm running it right now. The stock hold-down clamp doesn't fit the flange on the dist. shaft properly so it requires some slight grinding to get it to fit; however, I just let it sit incorrectly and tighten the nut really well (I installed a distributor stud, $4 @ Summit)
 
F

fiveohh94gt

New Member
Dec 26, 2003
277
0
0
Jun 7, 2006
#5
  • Jun 7, 2006
  • #5
i'd have to check the part number, but my MSD slid in just like a stocker. i didnt have to modify anything, great replacement for stock as far as i'm concerned. my stator went out on mine too, thats the reason i upgraded, plus the MSD looks a lot better
 

gcomfx.com

Founding Member
Oct 22, 2002
3,690
0
56
Republic, MO
Jun 8, 2006
#6
  • Jun 8, 2006
  • #6
Mine went in no problems, but it is 1/4" taller than the stock. I had a modified strut tower brace that went over my stock dizzy.... that didn't work out so well with the new MSD dizzy. Shocked the heck out of myself trying to see where I could space it up to mount it. Those MSD coils bite! :rotf:
 

Stangster5.0

Member
May 23, 2006
36
0
6
Florida
Jun 8, 2006
#7
  • Jun 8, 2006
  • #7
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=MSD-8455&N=0&autoview=sku

Its on sale now for 251 shipped,But thats what Im running and works like a champ.Its the 8455 mentioned above.
 

KBCobra95

New Member
Aug 28, 2005
356
0
0
North Carolina
Jun 8, 2006
#8
  • Jun 8, 2006
  • #8
Thanks guys! I'll prob be buying one real soon. HIssin50, why don't you like the MSD, and what would you recommend?
 

gustang818

New Member
Mar 10, 2006
48
0
0
Jun 8, 2006
#9
  • Jun 8, 2006
  • #9
I've seen posts where people have had MSD distributor problems that were cured by switching back to the stock distributor (MSD = Might Suddenly Die). I've never had any problems with mine in 3 years and it looks great under the hood. I just bought another one for my F-150 pick-up truck project.
 

Mrgreen94gt

SIMMA DA NA!!!
Founding Member
Jul 16, 2002
448
0
0
West TN
Jun 8, 2006
#10
  • Jun 8, 2006
  • #10
I'm running an MSD now as well. The PIP was screwed up on my old one which forced the upgrade. Well, I did try getting one from Autozone, but the thing didn't fit. It wouldn't seat down and part of the upper body would hit the intake. I just said "screw it" and got the MSD and returned the other one. So far, it runs a ton better than before, probably due to the old one being screwed up.

I also noticed that it is taller than the original, but it didn't cause any problems. My brace clears it easily.
 

RIO5.0

15 Year Member
Feb 16, 2001
6,892
8
128
N.H.
Jun 8, 2006
#11
  • Jun 8, 2006
  • #11
8455 here too...No complaints..As for the ignition boxes, thats another story...seems like 50% or so fail.. The dizzy probs are far and few inbetween....Some top racers still swear by the stock units...so go fish...
 

gcomfx.com

Founding Member
Oct 22, 2002
3,690
0
56
Republic, MO
Jun 8, 2006
#12
  • Jun 8, 2006
  • #12
Mrgreen94gt said:
I also noticed that it is taller than the original, but it didn't cause any problems. My brace clears it easily.
Click to expand...

Mine was modified. Had a welding place chop it and move the front brace out for my crazy 96 Cobra hood. Liked just a tiny bit to close. Never heard of it being a problem for anyone else. I ended up taking my ST brace off the car.
 

KBCobra95

New Member
Aug 28, 2005
356
0
0
North Carolina
Jun 8, 2006
#13
  • Jun 8, 2006
  • #13
Well, I just ordered one. Hopefully it will last. Thanks fellas!
 

Zero Signal

Active Member
Feb 24, 2003
2,633
2
46
Tucson, AZ
Jun 8, 2006
#14
  • Jun 8, 2006
  • #14
Yeah I think I've had mine for at least two years. It has been flooded with water once and it's still working fine.
 

KBCobra95

New Member
Aug 28, 2005
356
0
0
North Carolina
Jun 11, 2006
#15
  • Jun 11, 2006
  • #15
OK fellas, I got the distributor in today. I was reading the "break in" procedure for this thing and it said to lube it with the cam lube and run it with regular oil? Not synthetic. Thing is I have fresh Mobil ! 10w30 full syntec in there already and i hate to throw away good oil and filter. How many of you with the MSD used dino oil for the break in and if it is really necessary. Thanks!
 

mootang

New Member
Dec 5, 2004
907
0
0
texas
Jun 11, 2006
#16
  • Jun 11, 2006
  • #16
I saw that when i got mine and i called msd and they said not to worry about it. I asked so I can break mine in with sinthetic oil. and the guy said yeah. so just give them a call and see what they tell you. but I installed mine with sinthetic and its been fine so far. if i recall i did put some of that lube that came with it on the gear though.
 

Methodical

15 Year Member
Dec 1, 2003
1,192
11
59
Clinton, MD
Jun 11, 2006
#17
  • Jun 11, 2006
  • #17
KBCobra95 said:
OK fellas, I got the distributor in today. I was reading the "break in" procedure for this thing and it said to lube it with the cam lube and run it with regular oil? Not synthetic. Thing is I have fresh Mobil ! 10w30 full syntec in there already and i hate to throw away good oil and filter. How many of you with the MSD used dino oil for the break in and if it is really necessary. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Yeah I read that too. I just put some assembly lube on it and once installed I noted to myself - yeah right . I didn't think twice about those instructions. I too just changed my oil to synthetic - new motor with the required miles on it now. Here's the short of it. Don't Sweat It. Put her in a let her rip.
 

KBCobra95

New Member
Aug 28, 2005
356
0
0
North Carolina
Jun 11, 2006
#18
  • Jun 11, 2006
  • #18
Thanks guys! Will install today after church!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Preparation for Holley Terminator X install – Foxbody 306 (electrical fan, alternator, MSD Ignition, etc)
  • So_Flo
  • Mar 1, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
22
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 4, 2026
General karthief
D
95 cobra (stock) Fuel pump or Distributor?
  • drop5ohhh
  • Jul 23, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
148
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Aug 1, 2025
gkomo
S
Distributor choices
  • Stang9050
  • May 20, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
8
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jul 10, 2025
Stang9050
S
Drivetrain 94 V6 to 5.0 swap ignition / starter wiring
  • Craig12
  • Oct 8, 2024
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Replies
4
Views
358
1994 - 1995 Specific Tech Oct 14, 2024
Mcmahst
R
1994 GT 5.0L crank no start
  • Red1994MustangGT
  • Apr 15, 2025
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
  • 2
Replies
23
Views
1K
1994 - 1995 Specific Tech Aug 19, 2025
Kurt_MO
K
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?