MSD distributor
 

Very recently I found some time to go over my Camaro and started with the ignition system. Asked on the forum about ignition wires and thanks for all the recommendations . I ended up with MSD 8.5 wires. Bought a new cap and rotor and went about my business replacing parts. The problem I came across when I removed the cap on the MSD billet distributor was an awful lot of corrosion buildup on the distributor parts. Looks like light rust but it was getting dark out so tough to tell until I pull it out tomorrow. Is there anything I can use to clean up the inside without doing any serious damage to any electrical parts. It is a mechanical advance version. Thanks, John

PS. ---has anybody had this problem or is it from just sitting in garage for long peiods of time ?

Re: MSD distributor
 

For some odd reason, this happens to the orange 69 Camaro A/SA car on a regular basis. We've actually had to take it apart a couple of times, and clean the rust off with a scotch brite pad or a brass brush. We run the timing locked out. It happens whether the car sits, or it gets raced. I don't remember it happening to the green 69 Camaro SS/EA. That car uses a crank trigger, but is otherwise quite similar.

I do think that once the parts rust, no matter how you clean them, or even if you keep them lightly oiled, they will rust again. I've been considering replacing the internals.

Re: MSD distributor
 

Hi,

Do you have a few vent holes drilled in addition to the rotor alignment hole??????????

Ozone will help create rust in a heartbeat...the larger the gaps inside and under the cap (acorn to rotor, rotor tip to wire contacts) the more ozone..

Just a thought..

Bob

Re: MSD distributor
 

Alan, wonder if the replacement internals have been updated with a coating to prevent such a rust buildup. Maybe time for a phone call to MSD.


Bob, never have drilled vent holes in cap. Somewhere in the past I did here a conversation about that. I have a rotor window cap on top but have never run the engine with it open. I guess running the cap open to vent the zone cannot hurt. Expensive cap to drill holes in. lol

Re: MSD distributor
 

Alan,, you have a PM---

Re: MSD distributor
 

Thank you.

Re: MSD distributor
 

This is a common problem with MSD distributors - anyone who expects bare metal to not rust needs to see my sales brochure for the Brooklyn Bridge! Seriously, Google "rusty MSD distributor" and see all the angry MSD owners. MSD gives the BS answer that it is the ionizing effect of their high energy spark but it is simply bare metal rusting. They knew about this for years and did nothing about it - I do believe they now zinc plate the parts. You need to disassemble the distributor, clean the parts and apply a thin coat of paint to keep it from rusting again. Use a brass wire brush to clean the reluctor and do not paint the pickup! Paint the face of the pickup if it is bare metal. Lubricate pivot points sparingly if using mechancial advance.

Re: MSD distributor
 

Read all kinds of unhappy MSD customers....
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q...stributor+rust

Re: MSD distributor
 

Yes Bob, It sure can be ugly under the cap. Calls for some serious house cleaning. I am experimenting by coating with nail polish.:eek:

Re: MSD distributor
 

If you were to just leave the ends of the reluctor wheel bare, you should be fine. Do not pain the ends of the magnet in the pick up.

Once metal such as that has rusted, it will continue to rust so long as it is bare and exposed to the elements.

Re: MSD distributor
 

Our distributor did the same thing. Spent way more time cleaning the corrosion mess up than I wanted to. Per someone elses comment, Zinc-Aluminum coating of internal components will only last so long. Zinc is a sacrificial element which the corrosion will attack until the zinc gets eaten through, now it is eating the bare metal again and it doesn't last all that long. They need a more robust coating that contains zinc as well as a hexavalent chrome such as a zinc dichromate coating. The chromium element is one of the best rust inhibitors around but, the EPA is forcing industries in the USA to stop using hexavalant chromes in their coatings. I don't know of any other coating the EPA approves that does a good job of preventing corrosion as hex chromes.

Re: MSD distributor
 

Well, we have people from all walks of life. Any suggestions from outside the box to use as a rust preventative in our MSD distributors ?

I will throw one out there to start. EEZOX mainly used to prevent rust on pistols and rifles. Goes on wet and dries to protect from rust. This as a metal treatment and did very well in a 2 % salt water spray test. After the initial treatment, salt spray actually beaded upon the metal. Cheap, comes in a can. Has anybody had any experience with this product ?

Re: MSD distributor
 

I am curious if anyone has painted their cleaned up pick-up with nail polish ? Somewhere I read about using nail polish top coat (clear).

Re: MSD distributor
 

I would not recommend nail polish.
The best solution would be using a dielectric conformal coating as used on circuit boards and electronics. There are several available commercially that will sustain an alkaline and high temperature environment. The coatings are available brushable, spray and also in a pen.

Re: MSD distributor
 

This comes from my sons dirt track car that has to run a HEI. Always had corrosion on the contacts, this year I listened to tec west and filed everything to a point and made sure the dist was phased in to a nats butt, but when the cap was popped off this fall it looked like a new unit. Luck or weird science. Tom