Installing an MSD on a TBI system

[skintdeuce]

Does anyone have any experience in installing an MSD crate distributor in a TBI with EST control and bypass? I have four wires going into the current HEI dist and they are as follows.

FROM TRUCK ECM HARNESS

B3//BLK-RD//EST REF LOW"GROUND?"
B5//PRPL-WHT//DISTRIBUTOR REFERENCE
D4//WHT//EST CONTROL
D5//TAN-BLK//EST BYPASS

FROM MSD DISTRIBUTOR

ORANGE//COIL (-)
RED//COIL (+) IGNITION
BLK//GROUND

Help anyone?

Jason

[mrjohnwayne]

what model MSD dizzy did you buy. If it is similar to the MSD 8360 you do not need to worry about the factory harness. You can hook the wires up as you have described.

orange - coil (-)
red - coil (+)
black - GND

It has an internal module and does not require a signal from the trucks ECM to fire.

[skintdeuce]

Will the check engine light come on for EST, i.e. for the code 42? I know if it doesn't achieve a certain amount of voltage below 400 rpm, it goes into bypass and check engine illuminates. So i can just tie the four prong plug back and just hook up the dizzy as normal?

[mrjohnwayne]

Yes you can tie the 4 wire plug back. I'm not sure if it will set a light or not. It might set the check engine light because it will not be reading from the factory ignition module. It should not affect the new distributor.

[skintdeuce]

Hey thanks John, I have been tired of looking at my new "shiny" new dizzy in the garage and not being fully sure if and HOW to install it. Plus here's another stumper for ya. I just bought this thing, drove it from Portland Oregon all the way up to Whidbey island, which is like 4 and a half hours. The truck ran like a brute. I ran on it for like 3 weeks and decided to adjust the valves as I was having some blow-by. Well I popped her open and saw that my #1 plug wire was in the 10 'o clock position. Which in my experience looked as if it were 180 out, but if it were, it wouldn't run. I haven't pulled the timing cover, which I plan too since I snapped a push rod and now have the intake and heads off to lap the valves. I then plan to re-index the cam to point in the right direction. Do you think I should do this, or just leave it as someone down the path might have advanced he cam when installing it. I don't know if it has an aftermarket cam in it or not, but everything looks stock to me.

[silverhairdeere]

eBay Motors: MSD 8873 Wiring Harness Universal Each (item 220340788128 end time Feb-05-09 19:56:02 PST)


if this is not it call summit racing and see if they got what you need .

shd

[mrjohnwayne]

The actual #1 plug wire was at the 10 oclock position? I would think that someone stabbed the dizzy 180 out and just said screw it insted or correcting it. As long as you have #1 at TDC compression stroke you can install the new dizzy correctly. No need to "index" the cam.

If they installed the dizzy 180 out and installed to plug wires to in the correct order 180 out also it will run just as normal.