MSD rust
 

Just had the cap off my MSD Dist. and it has a lot of rust and corrision inside.
I doubt this is normal ?

Bud

Re: MSD rust
 

You mean Dist Cap?
Does it looks like Brown dust. A little is OK. A lot is not. It is caused by the spark arc creating Ozone. If a lot, check for high resistance in the coil wire first. Keep in mind that a coil wire is used 8 times as much as a plug wire(six time in my car :~)...) They usually go bad first. Then check the plug wires for high resistance. You could also have bad (high resistance) plugs. Quite a few plugs have built in resistance, one of those RF fixes. Too much gap or high resistance factor in a plug can cause the arc, too. A bad carbon contact in the cap will also cause it. That will show up as little welded looking spots (arcing) on the flexible part of the rotor. You might want to vent the cap to keep the air in the cap from being contaminated. Good luck.
Adger

Re: MSD rust
 

we had the same issue with a mopar small block 360,call msd tech line they stated that they had a new batch of coated parts(weights,springs,bushings,)in there new units ,older units had no treatment,one of the fixes was drill 4 holes (1/4) inch at the base of the cap above the mounting grove base,this will allow any moisture to be vented from the cap, go to their web site they have a fourm section ,i think its there as well gmonde

Re: MSD rust
 

We took the MSD out of our Big Block Chevelle wagon same thing. Just take it out clean it up and go. Were told by numerous people including MSD that it is not unusual.

Re: MSD rust
 

Bud: I've seen the same problems as well. Both the reluctor and the magnetic pick-up rusting. A friend reminded me that the iron oxide (rust) can actually cause misfire. I sent a distributor in to MSD a couple years ago and they replaced the reluctor.

Re: MSD rust
 

When we started venting our caps years ago all these problems went away. No arcing, no dust, no moisture and no misfires. Drill a few holes and see what happens. It definately won't hurt anything. Just make sure you don't have a fuel leak nearby.

Re: MSD rust
 

Once cleaned---lightly put some CLEAR fingernail polish on the parts...works like a CHARM!

I did this to my '67 Chevelle a few years back...never an issue since.


Travis Sorokie
5919 SS/KA
5939 S/ST