American Muscle Cars Australia

Tech Talk & Articles => AMCCA Members Tech Talk => Topic started by: sms777 on July 27, 2010, 07:39:14 PM

Title: Those evil MSD distributors!
Post by: sms777 on July 27, 2010, 07:39:14 PM
Hello members and guests!
Just a reminder about my post a while ago about faulty MSD Pro Billett distributors.
They are still haunting me!
I have two dead vehicles in my workshop because of severly corroded internals of these faulty dizzies. As it seem it is not only isolated to Chev engines. One is in a very tough nitrous fed 355 Holden and the other is in a well known Hemi Challenger.
(not mine)
If you have experienced misfiring, hard starting and loss of performance running one of these it is time to look under that dizzy cap. It only takes a minute and a screw driver. It may just save you an expensive tow to my workshop.  

Cheers, Chris.
Title: Those evil MSD distributors!
Post by: Bumblebee on July 27, 2010, 11:42:16 PM
Hi Chris,

Is this issue limited to MSD Pro Billets only, I have an MSD Billet (not the Pro Billet), is mine equally at risk?

Title: Those evil MSD distributors!
Post by: sms777 on July 28, 2010, 09:28:09 AM
Quote from: Bumblebee link=topic=3476.msg21215#msg21215
Hi Chris,

Is this issue limited to MSD Pro Billets only, I have an MSD Billet (not the Pro Billet), is mine equally at risk?


Hi Les,
I have already checked yours, it is fine. It seems only Pro Billets are affected.
Cheers.
Title: Those evil MSD distributors!
Post by: GTA390 on July 28, 2010, 04:17:28 PM
Quote from: sms777 link=topic=3476.msg21216#msg21216
Quote from: Bumblebee link=topic=3476.msg21215#msg21215
Hi Chris,

Is this issue limited to MSD Pro Billets only, I have an MSD Billet (not the Pro Billet), is mine equally at risk?


Hi Les,
I have already checked yours, it is fine. It seems only Pro Billets are affected.
Cheers.


Your doubly safe Les yours is also on a Ford, they don't seem to have the problem :rol::rol:
Title: Those evil MSD distributors!
Post by: LeighP on July 31, 2010, 02:38:51 PM
So, whats causing the corrosion issue? Would an occasional light spray inside and a wipe out with something like Lanox or WD40 be of any use....or would that be counterproductive?
Title: Those evil MSD distributors!
Post by: sms777 on July 31, 2010, 05:41:39 PM
I have seen brand new units straight out the box with corrosion already showing on metal components. As far as i am concerned the only fix is a garbage bin because the manufacturer does not want to know about it. The reason for this is once the product leaves mainland US the warranty rests on the local supplier. Their excuse was as i stated in my original post "You must have got you engine bay wet". :cry:
I have tried WD40, makes no difference.
Get rid of it and buy a Pertronix or Ice unit.
Title: Those evil MSD distributors!
Post by: PAP on August 01, 2010, 06:06:49 PM
I can't comment on the msd system i have not had much to do with them, but i can say that the ICE is very good, i have a one on my chev and i am very happy with it.
I have the 6 amp 2 step with the 10 preset curves, i did have some ignition gremlins with my old system and made the change to the ICE and hav'nt looked back.
Plus the guy's in melbourne are very helpful with any question you might have.

Cheers
Title: Those evil MSD distributors!
Post by: Hemifish on August 01, 2010, 08:54:23 PM
I didn't have any problem with my previous MSD but could see the corrosion starting , Lucky i sold with the engine , My new engine WON'T be having a MSD :agree:
Title: Those evil MSD distributors!
Post by: rattusrex on August 01, 2010, 09:26:22 PM
Quote from: PAP link=topic=3476.msg21331#msg21331
I can't comment on the msd system i have not had much to do with them, but i can say that the ICE is very good, i have a one on my chev and i am very happy with it.
I have the 6 amp 2 step with the 10 preset curves, i did have some ignition gremlins with my old system and made the change to the ICE and hav'nt looked back.
Plus the guy's in melbourne are very helpful with any question you might have.

Cheers

In what way? Tired of playing around with points etc. Had enough of that rubbish in the sixties. Eddie
Title: Those evil MSD distributors!
Post by: PAP on August 02, 2010, 10:22:47 AM
Quote from: rattusrex link=topic=3476.msg21347#msg21347
Quote from: PAP link=topic=3476.msg21331#msg21331
I can't comment on the msd system i have not had much to do with them, but i can say that the ICE is very good, i have a one on my chev and i am very happy with it.
I have the 6 amp 2 step with the 10 preset curves, i did have some ignition gremlins with my old system and made the change to the ICE and hav'nt looked back.
Plus the guy's in melbourne are very helpful with any question you might have.

Cheers

In what way? Tired of playing around with points etc. Had enough of that rubbish in the sixties. Eddie


I had a Acell HEI dissy which i had problems with, i had it serviced new cap leads ect but still could not workout the missing. I know of freinds that have no problems with this dissy but we could not find the fault.
Just thought i would add a little feedback on the ICE seeing it was mentioned.  
Title: Those evil MSD distributors!
Post by: rattusrex on August 02, 2010, 04:28:25 PM
Read Chris's post too quickly. Encouraging to see he recommends them. Eddie
Title: Those evil MSD distributors!
Post by: LeighP on August 02, 2010, 08:03:36 PM
Well, I've got one here for my Pontiac...guess I'll try it and see how it goes. I'll give it a little hit with Lanox....that stuff worked great on my boat, salt air doesn't beat it....might as well try it, eh?
Title: Those evil MSD distributors!
Post by: GAS455 on August 03, 2010, 08:02:55 PM
I have had a Pro Billet on my Ponti for 6 or so years.
No dramas other than using a brass dissy gear and having it chewed out within 6 months. Have had polymer one on there ever since with no dramas.

I have a MSD pro dissy for the 57 aswell....  so I hope there are no probs.

Title: Those evil MSD distributors!
Post by: SBC-68-FIREBIRD on August 03, 2010, 08:25:00 PM
Might be just with the newer ones as I have had an MSD on my engine for 11 years & no drama's !
Title: Those evil MSD distributors!
Post by: 68PONY on August 03, 2010, 09:45:06 PM
I reused my old msd from my old motor to this one must be at least 8 years old and same no probs
Title: Those evil MSD distributors!
Post by: sms777 on August 03, 2010, 10:18:47 PM
Guys!
There is no need to panic. The problem has been ongoing since 2002. That was the year MSD went global in search of cost cutting and got as far as Shanghai, There has been a bad batch of these dizzies getting on to our market on and off so you may have a good one that will last you forever but if you are unlucky to receive one of the bad ones there is nothing else to do but carefully place it in your rubbish bin without upsetting your neighbours and count your losses.
In the meantime like i said earlier keep checking under your dizzie cap for signs of corrosion.
Keep them V8's roaring (even if it's a Ford) :zip:

Cheers, Chris.
Title: Those evil MSD distributors!
Post by: bonnevista on August 03, 2010, 10:56:04 PM
Points.
Title: Those evil MSD distributors!
Post by: SUTPO on August 04, 2010, 06:59:07 PM
Just my Luck  :mad::mad::mad::mad:
Title: Those evil MSD distributors!
Post by: GAS455 on December 13, 2010, 05:18:56 PM
I got bit by the Corroded MSD Pro Billet Dissy yetserday.

But also have a problem with either my 6AL or the Coil.
It's in the garage untill further investigation.

At least I broke down near the pub!!!