MSD Distributor

[xuno_gil]

I've decided to just open the wallet and get a MSD but my question now becomes which MSD should I get. If I'm going to spend the money I want to make sure I'm getting exactly what I need.

Here is what the 76 J-10 360 is used for:
Not really used as a DD, but I would like to be able to take it on long trips, so a good balance of fuel efficiency and power is ideal. (put if it leans a little more to the power end, I wouldn't be too heart broken about it)
She is mostly used for trail riding, nothing crazy yet but eventually I will want to get her to where she can ride a #7 trail with out any issues.

So as you can see I'm not building a drag truck or nothing special I just want a very good, reliable, and dependable distributor that will get the job done.
Want to know which one you all recommend, there are the ready to run systems, then there are the systems that have the exterior coils with a separate ignition box, etc?
What would you all say would be my best choice?
And would I still have to change out the gear on it?

[serehill]

I actually bought my 6a box & Blaster II coil & dizzy off of CL over a period of time. I recommend the entire package if you can get it. I don't recall the part # on my dizzy though. I did not change the gear like everyone recommends. I'll see if ican dig up the #

[SNO*MAN]

What dizzy brand did you get and how many miles are on it now? Have you checked the gear since?

Originally Posted by serehill

I actually bought my 6a box & Blaster II coil & dizzy off of CL over a period of time. I recommend the entire package if you can get it. I don't recall the part # on my dizzy though. I did not change the gear like everyone recommends. I'll see if ican dig up the #

[serehill]

Originally Posted by SNO*MAN

What dizzy brand did you get and how many miles are on it now? Have you checked the gear since?

I found the dizzy new online from a close out of a perfomance shop it's a MSD 8519. they had a used one but I didn't want it. I might be ables to see if it's stil there it was in good shape. There's tons of 6a boxes & coils on CL in Dallas right now there's a coil for 50 & a couple of 6a's from 125 to 45 bucks. I just shopped until I found what I wanted. there's a guy on there that has a 6a for 50 buck monety back if it doesn't work. This stuff would cost over 500 bucks new .

[Tripwire]

I have a complete MSD setup....as a SWAG the thing that increased the reliability and MPG's was the box and coil itself - not the Dizzy. In my opinion the Dizzy is only good for bragging rights and spending of monies a brand new stock one will work just fine with a high quality cap and rotor

I have just a box on coil on my wrangler with a stock dizzy and it works just dandy

[serehill]

It's beeen in a year & I had it out to clean the thing 2 weeks ago. I don't believe it to be swag since it is adjustible to set up for the type of advance you want & it's a high quality product. I had a motorcraft & wanted to get that out that did have substantial gear wear. Msd gear is everybit as good as stock. It's not one of the ebay Kmart rigs. There's something to be said for a system that has all the same Brand components. As much as I spent on mine Cherk why not have the best of the deal. I didn't like the huge dizzy cap either. Besides it not being water tight it was bulky in the tight area it was in. I put the counter weights & springs best suited for my set up & it definantly improve my performance. I did run the motorcraft after my project was finished. The stock dizzy was shot & if you buy stock it doesn't come with upgrades MSD did. The MSD with factory part to upgrade rocked. & I had the ability to get technical assistance if I needed it. The better milage & enhancement in performance was worth it. It Brought My comp cam to life. My Jeep has more swag than a Chandilier. I still didn't want to push it home.

[austinaubinoe]

Originally Posted by Tripwire

I have a complete MSD setup....as a SWAG the thing that increased the reliability and MPG's was the box and coil itself - not the Dizzy. In my opinion the Dizzy is only good for bragging rights and spending of monies a brand new stock one will work just fine with a high quality cap and rotor

I have just a box on coil on my wrangler with a stock dizzy and it works just dandy

Yeah the durraspark dizzy its pretty nice. If you really want a "matching" engine bay just get a MSD TFI cap! People have asked me if it was a MSD dizzy


I like original, so I kept the Motorcraft module. Bought 4 on ebay NOS for like $60.

[serehill]

Originally Posted by austinaubinoe

Yeah the durraspark dizzy its pretty nice. If you really want a "matching" engine bay just get a MSD TFI cap! People have asked me if it was a MSD dizzy


I like original, so I kept the Motorcraft module. Bought 4 on ebay NOS for like $60.

Once again there's no wrong way there's just what ya like. The real key is if your happy with it & it works it doesn't get any better. We all have different priorities budgets & styles. If these things were all the same & if we are all the same this would be boring.

[FallonJeeper]

MSD Pro Billet Ready To Run distributor, Blaster 2 coil and MSD plug wires.

Super easy to install. All you need is the 12v dc keyed power to the coil. Ebverything else is included.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MSD-8523/

[djongeward]

A later stock Motorcraft distributor paired with a 6a box and blaster coil will be fine. However, if you haven't already bought the box, I would go with the ready to run type as mentioned above by FallonJeeper. You don't need a box but you will need a coil. I would suggest an MSD Blaster 2 coil. I personally like the can type Blaster 2 because it will fit into your stock coil holder. This is a very simple setup and has all the punch of the box systems.

We have run many MSD systems. For our 89 Wag we run a 6a box + Blaster 2 can coil + the OEM Motercraft distributor, custom power curved with the larger Ford cap and rotor. In the 76 Cherokee we have the Ready to Run Pro Billet MSD distributor and the Blaster 2 can.

Both systems are very dependable and rugged. IMHO the later Motercraft magnetic pickup type distributors are very well built. You can get them ballanced and curved professionally. The MSD's (there are two of them for AMC V-8's) are built better, but spendy. They come with extra springs so you can adjust their power curve yourself or have them done for you.

You need the additional MSD or Street Fire box for the "non-stand alone" or just the OEM system, but that way dosen't make sense to me as it is the OEM box that is the weak link.

For wires you will also need a set to fit the HEI style cap mounts. Both of ours have Street Fire custom built sets. Street Fire is an MSD company and the same as the pricer MSD wire sets, just grey as the only color choice.

[Red20]

Sounds like most of your options have been elaborated on already. I have the MSD 6 box and hi-vibration blaster coil with the sexy MSD TFI cap. You'll need an adapter collar for the stock duraspark in order to run the TFI cap. Just have the auto parts store look one up from a '79 F350 with the 460. I would definitely buy the MSD dizzy though if I had the cash. I like the way the mech. advance is right up top for quick and easy fine tuning of the advance curve without having to pull a breaker plate. For wires I haven't had any problem with the build-it-yourself 8mm spiral-wound Accel wires, red to match the MSD stuff of course. Just about any upgrade, when it comes to the ignition system, will be rewarding.

[serehill]

I would give it to someone if they paid shippng Rotor cap & all gear is a little worn I wouldn't use the gear. it will get you running. it was some kind of coersion & was stable the PO told me it came out of a 70's LTD. I drove the Cherk from Las Vegas to Dallas with it. No problems.