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Drill Holes in Small Diameter MSD Dist Cap
I have just installed a 6AL box to go with my MSD small diameter Ford distributor (PN 8478). I have been told to drill holes in the side of the cap between the terminals to permit moisture to escape and to prevent cross firing due to "charged air particles" under a small cap (terminals too close together). Additionally, I have been told to drill 1/4 holes at rotor height or even mid-cap level. Should I do this?? If so, where should these holes be drilled? How you know if you have cross-fire if the motor runs good?
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Who advised you to do this?
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That's an old time circle track trick. But this was before the high output Crane and MSD boxes used today. Can't speak about current need or function. But it used to work like a charm.
Richard Memphis |
You were advised correctly.
My MSD cap after only 300 miles or so, had things growing in it. There was even some green colored foreign substance around the distributor shaft itself. If I din't know any better, I would have guessed "moss". I was told to drill a hole on the cap. I did not believe t, so I called MSD tech support.Yup, that is exactly what they advised. They told me aproximately where to drill and how big and how many. (2) holes across each other, 1/8" in diameter, close to the bottom rim of the cap. Preferably opposite of the retainer holes. That is what MSD said.. TURK |
Thanks for the info guys.
Kinda makes you wonder why MSD doesn't just go ahead and do it? :rolleyes: |
That was my EXACT question to the MSD guy on the phone. He said something like , he just helps people solve problems he doesn't design them.
TURK |
Missing holes makes the dist. more water resistant in car washes and rainstorms. You guys do know that a bigger cap distributors are out there that will fire off of a 6AL box don't you? In the past I've all so glued foam rubber strips between each post to prevent cross fires too.
cobrashock |
Ron,
Since I have never washed the car in a car wash, and certainly never planned on sparying the engine compartment i had no problem following MSD's instructions. I too had the similar concerns about water getting into the distributor, but then again with electronic distributor I decided not to worry about it, and never had a problem after that. |
You had to use MY cap to practice on.....thanks.
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oops!
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Turk,
After you got through burning up ignitons because of incorrect wiring, how many caps did it take for you to get the holes in the correct place ? :LOL: Ron :D :3DSMILE: |
...in the numerous MSD distributors I have owned this has never been a problem and I live in the state that invented humidity.
Wouldn't drilling holes in the cap also let moisture IN? |
John,
It is not all that humid here. The growth inside the distributor cap was a result of ionization or something like that rather than moisture. It needed to be vented(hence the hole) not as much as water let in! All this happened within few miles of ownership. Wasn't because it was too humid. Maybe you have better caps there. |
Turk,
Thanks, I guess things just don't ionize in the North East they way they do in Cali. ;) |
The constant high voltage sparks produce a lot of ozone which is very tough on rubber and plastic.
Bob |
Is that why the NEVER use rubber or plastic valves when they do brain transplants?
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I can now almost say with some degree of certainty that I will NOW have problems with my distributor since I said I had no problems. :CRY: :CRY: :CRY:
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Does this go for all MSD distributors? I think I have MSD 8594 with the standard size cap. Do I need to drill holes in it?:confused:
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I never have seen the type of fungus like growth in a conventional points type distributor. It is the pointless MSD FE distributor that is currently being offered that had this problem.
I don't know what model it was. My second car with the identical distributor and the same 6AL box did NOT develop the same symptoms. Go figure. |
Hmmm. I have the 6AL box too. Maybe I'll just pull the cap and take a look at it.
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