MSD distibutor problem

1st fox body · June 16th, 2008, 11:30 PM

I have a problem with my MSD #8456 distibutor installation . Any ideas would help . I have it installed according to all the instructions I have gotten and the engine will run smooth , but when I go to check the initial timing with the spout connector unplugged I get no spark to my timing light , but if I plug the spout connector in I get a spark and the timing light works . I also an MSD 6AL BOX installed and the blaster coil . It's an '86 GT converted to MAF , and everything else seems to operate fine , any ideas ?

ryans88gt · June 16th, 2008, 11:33 PM

you have the timing light pickup on the #1 plug wire?

no flashing at all? Did you try any other plug wires? Does the car still run with the spout removed? If it does run, then obviously you are getting spark, maybe a problem with the timing light?

1st fox body · June 17th, 2008, 11:51 AM

Yep the timing light is on #1 plug wire and it does run with the spout connector unplugged. Also , when the spout connector is unplugged I can get a spark from other wires . It seems like the strangest problem I've run into on this project . I'll check the timing light , but it seems to work good on all the other wires if check for spark.

78mach1 · June 17th, 2008, 05:13 PM

after you unplugg the connector, does it still run smoothly? or is it mis firing....i would guess something was wrong with the light, but you said its good

id find another light just to be sure

1st fox body · June 23rd, 2008, 12:11 PM

OK Just got back from Englishtown drags . I tried a /new timing light with the same results. It does run better when I plug in the spout connector . Also I reinstalled the original distributor to see if that would work . With the old distibutor I have no problem. The timing lights both work fine with that one . Maybe I got a bad distrubutor .? Can they be tested other than being installed in the car

humbleLX · June 23rd, 2008, 03:49 PM

the tfi have been known to give people problems on the msd's. but they usually either work or don't work, no in betweens. maybe what we have here is a case of "in betweens"

1st fox body · June 26th, 2008, 09:52 PM

Gonna go see a local Mustang guy tomorrow see if he can give me any imput . Got an expensive piece of stuff an it aint doin me no good . Gonna see if its me or the part . Get back to you people , see if its me or a bad part.

sn94 · June 28th, 2008, 07:05 PM

If you cant get it straightened out, return the msd distributor because I heard from some local Mustang techs that the MSDs have some trouble with the TFI. Theres no difference between the MSD and the stock distributor. Well besides looks and maybe completing your full MSD setup. Paint the stock distributor, and get the MSD cap and rotor. GOOD as new. Hope u can fix your problem, ill try and find out some word on it.

PaT #06

ryans88gt · June 28th, 2008, 07:49 PM

I'd just go with the stocker...but it it works when the spout is in, then you shouldn't have any problem other than setting the timing.

1st fox body · July 3rd, 2008, 11:51 AM

Thanks for the input guys . Gonna try it one more time if it doesn't work Iam going to return it .

June 16th, 2008, 11:33 PM	#2
ryans88gt MM Fanatic Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bloomington, IL Posts: 3,465	you have the timing light pickup on the #1 plug wire? no flashing at all? Did you try any other plug wires? Does the car still run with the spout removed? If it does run, then obviously you are getting spark, maybe a problem with the timing light? __________________ 89 LX 515 hp 497 ftlbs 88 GT 11.4 @ 118

June 23rd, 2008, 03:49 PM	#6
humbleLX Newbie 1989 LX hatch Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 42	the tfi have been known to give people problems on the msd's. but they usually either work or don't work, no in betweens. maybe what we have here is a case of "in betweens" __________________ GT40 crate Ecam 1.7RR GT40X alum head GT40 P1SC 12rib IC 12 psi 42inj AFM PMS IV PMAS 3" Flotube BBK 70mm TB 255 Walbro short hdr BBK o/r X, 2ch Flows, way too much to list... if it ain't blown, it sucks...

June 28th, 2008, 07:49 PM	#9
ryans88gt MM Fanatic Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bloomington, IL Posts: 3,465	I'd just go with the stocker...but it it works when the spout is in, then you shouldn't have any problem other than setting the timing. __________________ 89 LX 515 hp 497 ftlbs 88 GT 11.4 @ 118

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June 16th, 2008, 11:30 PM	#1
1st fox body Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 26	MSD distibutor problem I have a problem with my MSD #8456 distibutor installation . Any ideas would help . I have it installed according to all the instructions I have gotten and the engine will run smooth , but when I go to check the initial timing with the spout connector unplugged I get no spark to my timing light , but if I plug the spout connector in I get a spark and the timing light works . I also an MSD 6AL BOX installed and the blaster coil . It's an '86 GT converted to MAF , and everything else seems to operate fine , any ideas ?

June 17th, 2008, 11:51 AM	#3
1st fox body Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 26	Yep the timing light is on #1 plug wire and it does run with the spout connector unplugged. Also , when the spout connector is unplugged I can get a spark from other wires . It seems like the strangest problem I've run into on this project . I'll check the timing light , but it seems to work good on all the other wires if check for spark.

June 23rd, 2008, 12:11 PM	#5
1st fox body Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 26	OK Just got back from Englishtown drags . I tried a /new timing light with the same results. It does run better when I plug in the spout connector . Also I reinstalled the original distributor to see if that would work . With the old distibutor I have no problem. The timing lights both work fine with that one . Maybe I got a bad distrubutor .? Can they be tested other than being installed in the car

June 26th, 2008, 09:52 PM	#7
1st fox body Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 26	Gonna go see a local Mustang guy tomorrow see if he can give me any imput . Got an expensive piece of stuff an it aint doin me no good . Gonna see if its me or the part . Get back to you people , see if its me or a bad part.

June 28th, 2008, 07:05 PM	#8
sn94 Regular BLWN91GT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 405	If you cant get it straightened out, return the msd distributor because I heard from some local Mustang techs that the MSDs have some trouble with the TFI. Theres no difference between the MSD and the stock distributor. Well besides looks and maybe completing your full MSD setup. Paint the stock distributor, and get the MSD cap and rotor. GOOD as new. Hope u can fix your problem, ill try and find out some word on it. PaT #06

July 3rd, 2008, 11:51 AM	#10
1st fox body Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 26	Thanks for the input guys . Gonna try it one more time if it doesn't work Iam going to return it .

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