The Zephyr Distributor Saga...
Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2024 5:59 pm
Well, the Zephyr abandoned me at the intersection of SR312 and US-1 a couple of weeks ago. Several really good Samaritans helped me push it to a less obstructive spot from which it was flat-bedded home.
Then I began, as Mike would characterize it, throwing parts at it.
First suspect was the distributor. I found the magnetic pickup was loose - which it isn't supposed to be. I had a new MSD pickup which of course didn't fit. Apparently the distributor was either too old or was a modified Ford unit. Naturally I had another distributor on my parts shelf I bought some time ago, following another Mike characterization of having more Plan Bs than anyone.
So I installed it along with a newer MSD Digital 6AL I also had on my shelf. Did it start? No.
First discovery: the white RPM signal wire used on the prior distributor wasn't correct. And no RPM signal == no start.
So back to the instructions to find that the RPM signal is now on the gray wire, so the change was made. Still no start. Back to the manual.
There's a coil test involving the two distributor connection wires and a paper clip which the coil apparently flunked - no spark. So back to the shelf where another MSD Vibration Proof coil was found. Eureka! The paper clip test produced a very healthy spark.
And then it started!
After that I timed it, adding 2 degrees to the static timing: 14 degrees. I put the next bushing in to limit the total to 32 degrees and when started it sounded as if it wanted to take on King Kong I let it cool while we had lunch and then went out to check the radiator level which was fine. Then I closed the hood - NOT!
This distributor, MSD 8577, is a full inch taller than the old one: This what it actually looks like: So, now what? Another hole in the hood? A Crab Cap MSD for another $654? Will the Crab Cap even fit?
Details: Dimensions: Stay tuned...
Tom
Then I began, as Mike would characterize it, throwing parts at it.
First suspect was the distributor. I found the magnetic pickup was loose - which it isn't supposed to be. I had a new MSD pickup which of course didn't fit. Apparently the distributor was either too old or was a modified Ford unit. Naturally I had another distributor on my parts shelf I bought some time ago, following another Mike characterization of having more Plan Bs than anyone.
So I installed it along with a newer MSD Digital 6AL I also had on my shelf. Did it start? No.
First discovery: the white RPM signal wire used on the prior distributor wasn't correct. And no RPM signal == no start.
So back to the instructions to find that the RPM signal is now on the gray wire, so the change was made. Still no start. Back to the manual.
There's a coil test involving the two distributor connection wires and a paper clip which the coil apparently flunked - no spark. So back to the shelf where another MSD Vibration Proof coil was found. Eureka! The paper clip test produced a very healthy spark.
And then it started!
After that I timed it, adding 2 degrees to the static timing: 14 degrees. I put the next bushing in to limit the total to 32 degrees and when started it sounded as if it wanted to take on King Kong I let it cool while we had lunch and then went out to check the radiator level which was fine. Then I closed the hood - NOT!
This distributor, MSD 8577, is a full inch taller than the old one: This what it actually looks like: So, now what? Another hole in the hood? A Crab Cap MSD for another $654? Will the Crab Cap even fit?
Details: Dimensions: Stay tuned...
Tom