MSD 8552 Buick 400-430-455 V8 Ready to Run Distributor Installation - Manual (Page 5)

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 5
M S D
• W W W . M S D P E R F O R M A N C E . C O M • ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 5 2 0 0 • F A X ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 3 3 4 4
1. Remove the existing distributor cap without
disconnecting any of the spark plug wires.
2. With the cap off, crank the engine until the
rotor is aimed at a fixed point on the engine or
firewall. Note this position by making a mark
(Figure 8).
3. Place the distributor cap back on and note
which plug wire the rotor is pointing to. MARK
THE SPARK PLUG WIRES and remove the
distributor cap.
4. Disconnect the wiring from the distributor.
5. Loosen the distributor hold down clamp and
slide the clamp out of the way.
6. Lift the distributor out of the engine. Note that
the rotor rotates as you lift the distributor out.
This is due to the helical cut gear and should
be taken into consideration when installing
the new distributor.
7. Install the gasket and apply a liberal amount
of the supplied lubricant to the distributor
gear.
8. Install the distributor making sure that the
rotor comes to rest pointing at the fixed mark.
If the distributor will not fully seat with the
rotor pointing to the marked position, you
may need to rotate the oil pump shaft until the
rotor lines up and the distributor fully seats.
9. Position and tighten the hold down clamp
onto the distributor.
10. Install the distributor cap and spark plug wires
one at a time to ensure correct location. A
wire retainer is supplied to secure the wires
in place. Align the mounting bosses and use
the supplied 1.5" self-tapping Phillips screws
to hold the retainer in place.
11. Page 8 shows how to set the rev limiter
and connect the tachometer.
Figure 8 Marking the Rotor Location.
INSTALLING THE DISTRIBUTOR
Figure 9 Optional Installation by Bolting Cap Down.
Installation Option: This Cap can also be
bolted down to an MSD Pro-Billet or Billet
Distributor base with the supplied hardware.
To accomplish this, the spring clips must be
cut off (Figure 9).
Note: When the cap is bolted down, the
location of the spark plug wires must
be changed.