BBC MSD Disributor Set Up??

kirkm · 08-16-2009, 07:40 AM

I have to ask a very basic simple & maybe dumb question. How do you guys set initial timing with a new chevy bbc & new msd distributor insallation (starting from scratch)? I am only asking,because i know you guys are very very slick & know more tricks of the trade than i will ever know. kirk

Mike Taylor 3601 · 08-17-2009, 06:24 PM

If advance is locked whatever you set time on as example 36btdc rotate to that,you can plug spark plug hole with finger so you can feel compression. Take marker put line on dist just below cap that lines up w/center #1 on dist. cap,drop dist.in where you can line tip on rotor button w/mark on dist. if you have mechnical advance you'll do same way except after dist is in you'll pull rotor around against springs the way it would be if mechanical advance was advancing and rotate dist. housing to line up mark on housing and rotor button.snug dist. where can move when running to make final adjustment w/timing light.This will
get you close.
Mike Taylor 3601

08-17-2009, 06:24 PM	#2
Mike Taylor 3601 VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Somerset,Ky Posts: 1,362 Likes: 336 Liked 279 Times in 96 Posts	Re: BBC MSD Disributor Set Up?? If advance is locked whatever you set time on as example 36btdc rotate to that,you can plug spark plug hole with finger so you can feel compression. Take marker put line on dist just below cap that lines up w/center #1 on dist. cap,drop dist.in where you can line tip on rotor button w/mark on dist. if you have mechnical advance you'll do same way except after dist is in you'll pull rotor around against springs the way it would be if mechanical advance was advancing and rotate dist. housing to line up mark on housing and rotor button.snug dist. where can move when running to make final adjustment w/timing light.This will get you close. Mike Taylor 3601

08-16-2009, 07:40 AM	#1
kirkm Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: ohio Posts: 3 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	BBC MSD Disributor Set Up?? I have to ask a very basic simple & maybe dumb question. How do you guys set initial timing with a new chevy bbc & new msd distributor insallation (starting from scratch)? I am only asking,because i know you guys are very very slick & know more tricks of the trade than i will ever know. kirk