Here is the latest on the MSD 8383. I received an E-mail on my initial inquiry to MSD that stated the vertical and side movement should be no more than .010 to .015 and the distributor had two bearings. This was corrected with a phone call from MSD. I was told the distributor has only one bearing up in the housing and nothing as the shaft exits the lower housing. I received the distributor today with a sheet that says it meets all their specs. So John M. is correct, they are using the block as the lower bearing surface. I guess shaft wobble is not as important in a pointless distributor!!!!  I'm still disappointed as I believe this unit is overpriced for what I got.

56 VIC  Gene Stoehr Sr.

The lateral movement might not be as important as it sounds. The lower support is in the block, below the gear. Ford made the bushing in the dist body fairly long so they feel tight out of the engine. Perhaps MSD has a bearing near the top and they are relying on the shaft below the gear for the lower bearing.

Also the cam gear driving the dist gear forces it down against the block register so the end play is not terribly critical as long as it has some.

Having said all that the lateral movment does sound excessive.

http://ford-y-block.com 

20 miles east of San Diego, 20 miles north of Mexico

Rudder2

       Based on my own personal experience with them, they'll make it right. Please let us know what transpires.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Just a update to the status of my MSD 8383. MSD Tech Dept said the norm of clearence is .010 to .015  in the vertical and side to side movement. I have nearly twice that in the distributor I bought. They are having me ship the distributor back them. We will see what they find!

56 VIC  Gene Stoehr Sr.

Hearts fine, just don't know about the reflexs. It should hook, 30X10 M&H's, 4.56 gears w/spool, my own homemade superstock leaf springs with floaters and 42" ladder bars. With the front straght axle, I just don't know if it will go in a straght line. May have to let you do the shake down runs!

Glen Henderson



Freedom is not Free

Letohatchee, AL

 That should be a ride if you can get it hook! How's your heart!!!? Rudder2fly, send it back and tell them why. That will break caps and rotors, not cool. 

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Glen’s MSD distributor has 0.026” end play and 0.015” lateral movement measured at the bottom bushing.  I have a new old stock iron distributor for a Y truck and the lateral movement on it measured 0.008”.  The lateral movement of each was measured with a dial indicator on the shaft at bottom of the distributor housing.  I’m getting ready to order another 8383 MSD so I’ll check it in regards to lateral movement also when it arrives.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Frank and Tom I got tired of trying to explain what a y block is and what I want done  to these local scrub loving machine shops. Ted is going to build a motor for the Falcon next spring. I made a trip out there a couple weeks ago with some blocks and heads. We finalized the plans, still have to gather a few more parts on my end and of course figure out how I'm going to talk my wife out of the money. Ted's plan includes some things that he learned from the EMC project and sounds very exciting. I may wind up with more motor than I can handle with the little Falcon since I haven't been on a drag strip in over forty years.

Glen Henderson



Freedom is not Free

Letohatchee, AL

I have these same questions in at the MSD Tech Dept right now. We will see what they say. I checked the Ford distriburor again. it's a single diaphram unit, probably a 1959 unit, and it has very little side play. I believe this unit will be going back to MSD. At $360.00 I was shocked to see that shaft move like it does! G.S.

56 VIC  Gene Stoehr Sr.

YOU KNOW FRANK, THAT SAME THOUGHT POPPED INTO MY HEAD! WHAT IS GLEN UP TO. I GUESS  WE WILL FIND OUT, I SEEN GLEN AND TED SNEAKING SOME PARTS FROM ONE TRUCK TO THE OTHER IN THE DARK OF THE NIGHT, AT COLUMBUS.  TOM

  JUST A MIDNIGHT CRUISE DOWN THUNDER ROAD!!! TOM DRUMMOND MIDWEST DIRECTOR 57 FORD INTERNATIONAL