MSD Pro Billet Distributor = JUNK!

[5.0 LX Sleeper]

Ok, so I go to start my Mustang today and nothing happens, it turns over great but no fire, so I get to checking around and everything has spark except for the distributor, my BRAND NEW MSD piece. I just took it out a few weeks ago and replaced the guts and module in it because they went south already. Today I put my old Ford distributor back and in just like magic, it fires right up everytime. I can't believe it, I bought this distributor thinking that MSD was the best for ignitions and now I find out its junk. I know I'm not the only one thats had this problem, my cousin and another guy have had this problem with this part in their cars. I think I'll go to a Mallory ignition when I get the chance. Anyone else having this problem with it?

 

[88POSLX]

My brother has one and he completed destroyed the gear within 10 minutes. Plus, once the motor warmed up he couldn't adjust the distributor (timing). MSD replaced the shaft and a bunch of other parts on it... we'll see next weekend how the parts work out.

 

[SmockDoiley]

I only put like 500 miles on my Pro-billet in my Javelin when the ignition module went to crap. MSD sent me a free module in 2 days. I hear those things go bad alot. No problems with the one in my mustang right now.

 

[T_5.0_N'works]

Mines fine. I adjust the timming about every race day with noticeable differences. When it chews a gear 99% chance it's not the distributars fault.

 

[PRO50SC]

Ditto, only mine had less than 200 miles on it. And where did it leave me stranded, right in front of the speed shop I deal with. I bought it from Summit though and sent it back for a refund. Put the stocker back in and it works great. But you have to admit, that billit aluminum did look good under the hood. To bad they don't last.

 

[88stangmangt]

ya go crane heard great stuff about them............

 

[Stang8URMPRT]

Well, shiot. I just bought a Pro Billet MSD dist. lol. Haven't installed it yet, but mine is a 302 with vac advance for a carbed car. Hopefully this one is better then your distributors are. Sorry to hear about all the difficulties you all are having, and hope I don't have them too!

Nick

 

[408stroker5.0]

I run Crane's new distributor in my 408, and let me tell you, it's the best piece of ignition equipment I have ever purchased for my Stang. I had enough with POS MSD Distributor's and Ign. Boxes (6A & 6AL) after year's of nothing but problem's and complete failures. I seen the light and went to Crane. I've been running there HI-6 Box & PS92 Coil for year's now without a problem. One of the problem's with MSD is more than half of there stuff is old technology were as Crane is bringing out new product's such as there new completly electronic distributor's (Which I am currently using) digital Ignition boxes' etc. etc. etc.
I recomend anyone to look into Crane Ignition product's next time they are in the market for a good igntion system for there car. It's not that I hate MSD as some of there product's are really good, but you got to face the light man.... most of there common stuff is all S**T.

 

[diddylx50]

i run an MSD dist. and have no had the problem yet but i wouldnt be surprised if it did fail. A buddy of mine bought one when he was dropping a new motor in his car and we couldnt figure it out why the car wouldnt start...it was the MSD dist. BRAND NEW and it died right out of the box. They sent him another one and that died also so he went back to the stocker

 

[Stang951]

Most of the time (probably because of the old technology) MSD equipment is really sensative to power surges and spikes. I installed their noise suppressor (really a small capacitor) inline of the 6AL and have not had another problem. 30.00 fixed all of my problems this time. However if it ever dies again I will repace it with the Hi-6 and ps92 coil and get rid of the 6AL.

 

[EMW150]

I never had a problem with mine except for the advance mechanism not returning to base timing at idle so sometimes it wants to idle at 2K. I ran the same one for about 4 years and just now replaced it with a new one. I have the same problem with the new one so I'm planning on locking it out and retarding with a box for starting.

 

[BelueLX]

thats not too bad my MSD wires were a day old and one of them separated at the distributor from the terminal. a few days later my brand new MSD coil started making a loud buzzing noise all the time. they can keep their ****ty products for all i care now.

 

[WldstrawbryLX]

I second the motion on the Crane Ign box and PS 92 coil. Love it!!!! After hearing about all these problems with the MSD stuff I'm definitely not going to put one on my 79 F-150. On that note....for you fellow Stangers who have other electronically fired Fords in your stable.....TFI coils work great for the older Duraspark ignitions.