Best Distributor?

BLACK85GT · 01-13-2004, 08:15 PM

I am deciding on a distributor for my carb 302. I am thinking about all MSD, (ignition, distributor, wires). Anything better I should look at? Vac. advance? or not?

I will be using holley heads, 218/228 cam at .50,
weekend warrior type car. Not daily driver.

86GT · 01-14-2004, 09:58 AM

Black85GT, When I converted my 86 I went through the same thing. I ended up getting the MSD distributor (8582, no vacuum on it) and had a steel gear put on it, the 6AL box, and a Blaster 3 coil. Works great, even gets fairly good gas mileage. I like the quality of the MSD stuff (some will debate it, and I had a machine shop mess up my first distributor, but MSD's tech support is great) and the look is much better than the 85's vacuum advance distributor and the duraspark box.

Its not cheap, and if you're willing to spend the money, I'd say go for it. You won't be disappointed.

420nitro · 01-14-2004, 10:41 AM

I love my MSD!!

Hated my Crane Set up.

Hozer 88GTConv · 01-14-2004, 11:48 AM

Another vote for MSD.
Expensive, but worth the improvement. The Duraspark kit is actually pretty good. Arguably, one of the best stock ignition systems produced (excepting the TFI issue).
I had a $225 Mallory EFI distro and it was the biggest pos on the planet. I reinstalled my duraspark distro that had been in a box for three years and solved a major ignition problem.
I've had the MSD in for over a year. Very nice.

jonnyk · 01-14-2004, 02:11 PM

I would say MSD as well. If it sees a lot of street use, I would personally consider the vacuum advance option - should help you out a bit in the mileage department.

tireburner163 · 01-15-2004, 10:12 AM

I just bought a stock distributor from Advanced Auto Parts for like $50 bucks

DblAdigger · 01-15-2004, 10:33 PM

Now that you've got the dist, be sure to put a good advance curve in it. Then hook it to a MSD6AL and go.

mustangII460 · 01-15-2004, 10:52 PM

I always stay with Ford when it comes to distributors.

If you get a chance read this about MSD.

tireburner163 · 01-16-2004, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DblAdigger
Now that you've got the dist, be sure to put a good advance curve in it. Then hook it to a MSD6AL and go.

Were you talking to me?

-Josh, aka the tireburner

BLACK85GT · 01-17-2004, 08:54 PM

Well here is what I decided on:Pic

01-13-2004, 08:15 PM	#1
BLACK85GT Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Tampa,FLORIDA Posts: 340	Best Distributor? I am deciding on a distributor for my carb 302. I am thinking about all MSD, (ignition, distributor, wires). Anything better I should look at? Vac. advance? or not? I will be using holley heads, 218/228 cam at .50, weekend warrior type car. Not daily driver. __________________ 5.0, Holley heads, 1.7 Scorp Rockers, Stealth intake, Holley 600 carb, Holley Mech. Fuel pump, MSD 6Digital, MSD distributor, Hotchkis upper/lower rear control arms, FMS B Springs, 3:73 (8.8) rear. Production # 9,377

01-14-2004, 09:58 AM	#2
86GT Sniffed too much n20 Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 1,018	Black85GT, When I converted my 86 I went through the same thing. I ended up getting the MSD distributor (8582, no vacuum on it) and had a steel gear put on it, the 6AL box, and a Blaster 3 coil. Works great, even gets fairly good gas mileage. I like the quality of the MSD stuff (some will debate it, and I had a machine shop mess up my first distributor, but MSD's tech support is great) and the look is much better than the 85's vacuum advance distributor and the duraspark box. Its not cheap, and if you're willing to spend the money, I'd say go for it. You won't be disappointed. __________________ 2002 Windsor Weekend Q16 Qualifier

01-14-2004, 11:48 AM	#4
Hozer 88GTConv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 706	MSD Another vote for MSD. Expensive, but worth the improvement. The Duraspark kit is actually pretty good. Arguably, one of the best stock ignition systems produced (excepting the TFI issue). I had a $225 Mallory EFI distro and it was the biggest pos on the planet. I reinstalled my duraspark distro that had been in a box for three years and solved a major ignition problem. I've had the MSD in for over a year. Very nice. __________________ 1988 GT Convertible 331 10:1 TW heads, GT-40 intake, MSD, TRW flattops, B Cam w/ 1.7's, MAC exhaust, 24's, 70 TB, 76 MAF, 3.73's, Pro 5.0, Koni's, Anderson PMS, Wideband 02, yatta, yatta... One week with new motor, two speeding tickets...joy

01-14-2004, 02:11 PM	#5
jonnyk Being stroked is great Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 772	I would say MSD as well. If it sees a lot of street use, I would personally consider the vacuum advance option - should help you out a bit in the mileage department. __________________ Novi 2000 now spinning off the snout of the 331... Mods Pics

01-15-2004, 10:12 AM	#6
tireburner163 It's a lot like a race car Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Meridian, MS Posts: 4,130	I just bought a stock distributor from Advanced Auto Parts for like $50 bucks __________________ 1987 Buick T-type 1998 HD Electra Elide

01-14-2004, 10:41 AM	#3
420nitro Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Rockford Posts: 596	I love my MSD!! Hated my Crane Set up.

01-15-2004, 10:33 PM	#7
DblAdigger Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: So Cal. Posts: 14	Duraspark dist. Now that you've got the dist, be sure to put a good advance curve in it. Then hook it to a MSD6AL and go. __________________ Some people can break a cannon ball, in a sandbox, with their bare hands.

01-15-2004, 10:52 PM	#8
mustangII460 Factoy Five Roadster Join Date: May 2000 Location: Sevier Co,Tennessee Posts: 1,681	I always stay with Ford when it comes to distributors. If you get a chance read this about MSD.

01-17-2004, 08:54 PM	#10
BLACK85GT Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Tampa,FLORIDA Posts: 340	Well here is what I decided on:Pic __________________ 5.0, Holley heads, 1.7 Scorp Rockers, Stealth intake, Holley 600 carb, Holley Mech. Fuel pump, MSD 6Digital, MSD distributor, Hotchkis upper/lower rear control arms, FMS B Springs, 3:73 (8.8) rear. Production # 9,377

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Distributor Problem	88fivepointoh	Windsor Power	1	04-28-2003 07:10 AM
Early model 302 MSD billet distributor to 88-93 efi conversion??	Hnrys69	Windsor Power	1	03-07-2003 05:07 AM
Distributor Question Please Help	NitroNixon	Windsor Power	3	10-07-2002 05:21 PM
Distributor	66StangGuy	Classic Mustangs	5	02-19-2002 05:25 PM
Ground up distributor gear	joe4speed	Windsor Power	5	03-26-2001 12:20 PM