MSD Oxidation

• Aug 29, 2018

• #1

BubbaMope

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I've had issues with the MSD distributors corroding/oxidation but haven't been able to get information about other brands. I've had to pull the distributor 3 times in 2 years and change the mag pickup and reluctor (After it gets all crappy inside it will not start). I live in Louisiana with lots of humidity so that is a big part of the problem. I was told that the high voltage inside the cap causes the corrosion, however the photo is my spare reluctor that was never installed. I also carry a spare mag pick up, cap and rotor. They all are fine.
Has anybody living in high humidity areas found a good replacement for the MSD?

 

• Aug 29, 2018

• #2

vintage chromoly

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MSD is all Chinese garbage now.
I refuse to buy any of it, especially their CD boxes.

A “fix” is to spray CRC anti moisture spray on the inside of the distributor to mitigate the corrosion.

 

• Aug 29, 2018

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Ranger16

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I don't know what that reluctor is made of, but the one one my Mopar Performance distributor is either brass or bronze and never oxidizes like that.

 

• Aug 29, 2018

• #4

493 Mike

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Try coating the new parts with one of the many anticorrosion products available. I can recommend Everbrite.
Mike

 

• Aug 29, 2018

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BubbaMope

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vintage chromoly said:

MSD is all Chinese garbage now.
I refuse to buy any of it, especially their CD boxes.

A “fix” is to spray CRC anti moisture spray on the inside of the distributor to mitigate the corrosion.

Click to expand...

Thanks. What are you running for ignition?

 

• Aug 29, 2018

• #6

BubbaMope

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493 Mike said:

Try coating the new parts with one of the many anticorrosion products available. I can recommend Everbrite.
Mike

Click to expand...

I'll look for that. I sprayed them with clear paint prior to reinstalling and decreased the gap to .020. She fired right up. I thought about powder coating but don't know if the magnetic field would still work.

 

• Aug 29, 2018

• #7

vintage chromoly

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Factory distributor with a advance limiting plate.
I’m using a pertronix magnetic trigger instead of the points and condenser.

BubbaMope said:

Thanks. What are you running for ignition?

Click to expand...

On my boat, I’m running a Daytona sensors box and coil and a Mallory marine billet distributor. All made in the USA.

 

• Aug 29, 2018

• #8

vintage chromoly

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Here’s the spray some guys who run MSD distributors spray the under the cap components with to mitigate the corrosion.

Apparently, it does the trick.

https://www.grainger.com/product/CRC-Corrosion-Inhibitor-2F143

 

• Aug 29, 2018

• #9

Mike67

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They make a glyptol aerosol that should work, same stuff they use on motor windings otherwise a varnish to seal out moisture. Should not affect the field, pickup should still work fine.

 

• Aug 29, 2018

• #10

moparcrazy

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vintage chromoly said:

MSD is all Chinese garbage now.
I refuse to buy any of it, especially their CD boxes.

A “fix” is to spray CRC anti moisture spray on the inside of the distributor to mitigate the corrosion.

Click to expand...

Not true, only some components, read this From MSD, I guess china has there own MSD Components they've copied, not surprised at all.

https://forums.msdperformance.com/showthread.php?15381-China

 

• Aug 29, 2018

• #11

vintage chromoly

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moparcrazy said:

Not true, only some components, read this From MSD, I guess china has there own MSD Components they've copied, not surprised at all.

https://forums.msdperformance.com/showthread.php?15381-China

Click to expand...

That thread is 8 years old.

 

• Aug 29, 2018

• #12

moparcrazy

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vintage chromoly said:

That thread is 8 years old.

Click to expand...

OK POINT TAKEN !

 

• Aug 29, 2018

• #13

moparcrazy

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BUT CHINA HAS STILL COPIED MSD, ?

 

• Aug 29, 2018

• #14

threewood

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moparcrazy said:

BUT CHINA HAS STILL COPIED MSD, ?

Click to expand...

China has copied everything they can make a buck on, sometimes very good copies, including knifes, chainsaws, watches, optics, etc. Only buy from an authorized or trusted dealer. Buying on ebay is inviting trouble.

 

• Aug 29, 2018

• #15

Ranger16

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BubbaMope said:

I sprayed them with clear paint prior to reinstalling and decreased the gap to .020.

Click to expand...

.020? I thought the gap was supposed to be .006 or so. Is MSD that much different?

 

• Aug 30, 2018

• #16

M

miller

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Used to rebuild aircraft magnetos, that use armatures, and stators. Same difference. Would use a high temp grease to lightly coat all the bare metal surfaces, to hold down rusting.

 

• Aug 30, 2018

• #17

BubbaMope

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vintage chromoly said:

Here’s the spray some guys who run MSD distributors spray the under the cap components with to mitigate the corrosion.

Apparently, it does the trick.

https://www.grainger.com/product/CRC-Corrosion-Inhibitor-2F143

Click to expand...

Thank you for the info, I'll give it a try. In the mean time I ordered a new MSD billet. I'll swap it in the next time mine quits and then rebuild the old one and store it indoors. My car is by no means perfect but I would never leave her on the side of the road, she'd be gone in 5 minutes.