MSD 8595 installation on 390 FE

[Barry_R]

MSD 8595 has a .531 shaft through the gear - we just installed one yesterday.

[amdscooter]

MSD 8595 has a .531 shaft through the gear - we just installed one yesterday.

Just re-measured mine. I did not realize the upper portion where the gear sits was wider than the lower segment where the oil pump drive shaft engages. So would this iron gear be a suitable replacement to mate up to my Comp 268H cam?

Ford 351C-460 Iron Distributor Gear
Part No. 85812

http://www.msdignition.com/Products/Distributors/Acc_/Distributor_Gears/85812_-_Ford_351C-460_Iron_Distributor_Gear.aspx

[jayb]

I'm not sure about that part number, but I always buy the 460 Crane steel gears to run on my MSD distributors when I'm using a steel roller cam.  So I think that 351C-460 gear is probably correct.

I was interested in what MSD told you about the issue with the gear, "core shift".  Did you get any further details on that? It would be interesting to hear exactly how core shift could affect the gear...

[amdscooter]

I'm not sure about that part number, but I always buy the 460 Crane steel gears to run on my MSD distributors when I'm using a steel roller cam.  So I think that 351C-460 gear is probably correct.

I'm going to go ahead and order that Iron gear. Thanks for the input.

I was interested in what MSD told you about the issue with the gear, "core shift".  Did you get any further details on that? It would be interesting to hear exactly how core shift could affect the gear...

No more news on that front. I explained to the CS rep Peter that the dizzy stops dead as soon as the gear engages the gear on the cam. He recommended trying some emery cloth. I said it's really tight, I doubt that would do the trick. That's when he brought up core shift as the culprit. I explained I thought the dizzy was not in anywhere near far enough at that point for core shift to be an issue as I understand it and that the re-manufactured dizzy in it fits and works fine. He responded "it's still a 45 year old part vs. our brand spanking new 8595". At about that point he responded flatly with "so what do you want me to do?". I said I'm not asking for magic here, just looking for recommendations or suggestions. Then I heard a click and found myself talking to a nice woman named Valarie in the RMA department.

MSD customer support is not in my good graces at the moment and I'm not real anxious to pick up the phone and wait through the hold music & advertisements to be treated like that again anytime soon. If I can fix my issues with a new gear, so be it. If not MSD can kiss my backside and my patronage goodbye. Good product or not, they are not the only game in town. Sorry for rant.. I'm still a bit bent about it. 

[jayb]

I don't blame you; I'd be upset too after being treated like that.  That is totally different than how I've been treated at MSD; I wonder if your experience was an anomaly or if their customer service has just gone downhill...

[afret]

You could just return that distributor and use your old one if that one fits fine.  If it's a Ford point unit, just take the points out and convert it to a magnetic pickup from a Duraspark.  You can get a decent ignition box and have money left over.  You can get one from other than MSD too if you don't want to buy any of their stuff.  Can't blame you for buying other than MSD.

I converted my points distributor to Duraspark internals, got an adapter for a big cap, and hooked it up to an ignition box.  I got hold of a rebuilt FE Duraspark distributor and moved the needed parts over to the points distributor.

[amdscooter]

^^^ That's a clean looking setup. I got the MSD online and am not really keen on the RMA process. If I can fix the issue with a $30 gear, that's preferable to me. I chose the MSD for the ease of adjustment for total mechanical advance, spring replacement, ability to lock out the vacuum advance and an option for a multi spark setup I can add in later.  While their CS could use some polish, their hardware seems solid and well thought out. 

[amdscooter]

I don't blame you; I'd be upset too after being treated like that.  That is totally different than how I've been treated at MSD; I wonder if your experience was an anomaly or if their customer service has just gone downhill...

Could be a one off experience.. everyone has a bad hair day. Even if that's the case, it's not fun to be the one to draw the CS "short straw". 

[amdscooter]

I installed the MSD 85812 replacement gear on the 8595 today. Pressed the "old" one off.. pressed the new one on. Drilled it & pinned it. The dizzy dropped right in first try. I should mail the one I replaced off to that snotty S.O.B. customer service rep Mr. "core shift" Paul and tell him to stick it in his ear. That should have been the end of it. But nope.. I was begging for punishment. I installed a new MSD Blaster 3 coil to boot. Damn car that was running just hours earlier today simply would not start. Sputterd and banged like 3 of the wires were crossed. I checked the firing order on the cap about 2 dozen times. Disassembled the dizzy and put it back together a few times. About 2 hours and much head scratching later I put the old Petronix FT2 coil back in using the hokey HEI to female coil wire adapter... and it fired up the first try.  While I'm really happy with the advance adjustments on the dizzy.. MSD is on the top of my sh33t list as of this afternoon. 

[jayb]

Sheesh, you are snakebit on MSD parts!  You've had more problems in two months than I've had in 20 years.  Go figure...

[bartlett]

wow that sucks ... Msd has been unreal with service for me. I got the wrong wires sent and they sent me a new set just talking to them on the phone ! they sent me a prepaid rma to send there wires back.

  sometimes you just get the wrong guy on the wrong day ! thats to bad .... hopefully you got it sorted out now ....

[fe66comet]

With my cam I had to change mine from the get go, but I said that a couple months ago LOL.

[amdscooter]

Well if the dizzy does not go completely to pot anytime soon I'll prolly cool off by next winter and might even buy from MSD again.  Bad news is I've been working a lot and I don't think I can return the coil at this point seeing as I bought it some time back. Oh well.. I'll boot another $50 for a good low ohm coil that works. Considering how much I just tossed under the hood it's on the low side price wise. Just miffed at my "luck" with MSD so far. I don't know if I wanna try one of the multi spark controller boxes at this point. Maybe instead I'll just call up a good buddy, have him come over and kick me in the junk a few times. Would not cost me a dime and the end result is similar to my experience after buying MSD.     

[fe66comet]

I have always used 6AL or 6aL boxes never had a problem, the only reason I buy a new one is the old one went with the car LOL. They help with plug fouling at low rpm and gas mileage at cruising speeds.

[amdscooter]

Quick coil question. I'm not using a 6xx box, just the 8595 ready to run and a coil. If I decide to give another Blaster 2/3 coil a try, should I be using a ballast resistor or straight 12v source?