MSD 8485 VW Billet Distributor Installation - Manual (Page 6)

6 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
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INSTALLING THE DISTRIBUTOR
1. Set the No. 1 cylinder to TDC under compression.
2. Remove the distributor cap. Note the position of the rotor and which spark plug terminal it is
pointing to. Mark the plug wire and the position of the rotor.
3. Remove the distributor and the distributor shaft spring.
4. Make sure the position of the distributor
driveshaft slot is perpendicular to the
case seam (Figure 7). If not, move it to
the proper position.
Figure 7 Distributor Driveshaft Position.
5. Remove the original clamp stud and install the supplied longer stud at least 1/2" into the case. Place
the supplied spacer over the stud.
6. Install the collar and clamp to the distributor and snug the bolts (Figure 8). Install the distributor into
the engine making sure that it bottoms out on the driveshaft.
7. Screw the nut onto the clamp stud and finger tighten.
Locate the supplied shims and set one 0.010" shim
aside.
8. With the remaining shims, make a stack that fits the
gap between the clamp and the distributor housing
(Figure 8). It is recommended to use a shim stack that
is slightly thicker than the gap up to 0.005" however,
it may be 0.002" thinner.
9. Remove the distributor then remove the clamp and
collar. Add the one 0.010" shim that you set aside to
the shim stack and place them on the distributor.
10. Install the clamp and collar so the shims are
sandwiched between the housing and the clamp.
Tighten the clamp and install the two o-ring seals or
use the original seal if it is in good shape.
11. Install the distributor shaft spring and the distributor.
Make sure the rotor is pointing to the number one
terminal of the distributor cap.
12. Install the cap and spark plug wires. If you are using
the original spark plug wires, the terminals and boots
must be replaced with MSD 90° boots and terminals,
PN 8850. MSD offers a set of custom length wires for
VW, PN 31939.
Figure 8 Measuring the Required Distributor Shims.