MSD 8595 fe distributor

David Biele · #1 (**permalink**) 11-21-2009, 03:56 PM

Has anyone installed this distributor? I have one and I am using the RPM Performer Manifold and I am having oil pushing up thru the V-gasket on the distributor. This may sound crazy but could the gasket be upside down? I know I should call their tech line but it is the weekend and I need to drive my car tomorrow. Any help will be appreciated.

David

ZOERA-SC7XX · #2 (**permalink**) 11-21-2009, 04:13 PM

Same happened to me with my MSD/RPM setup. I pulled the distributor up a couple inches, squirted some high-temp RTV gasket maker in there and tightened it back up. I waited until the next day to run it and it did not leak. About five bucks for the tube of RTV.

Gunner · #3 (**permalink**) 11-21-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZOERA-SC7XX

Same happened to me with my MSD/RPM setup. I pulled the distributor up a couple inches, squirted some high-temp RTV gasket maker in there and tightened it back up. I waited until the next day to run it and it did not leak. About five bucks for the tube of RTV.

I found some oil pooled in the back curve of the distributor well when I replaced my MSD. I'm surprised there's so much wet blowby that high on the engine.

The only problem with the RTV trick is that it might hinder adjusting the timing, or leak after having the distro twisted against it.

David Biele · #4 (**permalink**) 11-21-2009, 05:47 PM

The RTV will work for a while. I tried it once and within a couple of months it started leaking again. You would think that they could re-engineer the seal and provide a better solution. MSD sent me a new o-ring and leaks worse then the first one.

PANAVIA · #5 (**permalink**) 11-21-2009, 05:51 PM

Wide Part of gasket at the top , the RPM manifold may be wider at the distributor port and have a increased gap permitting the blow by. The only suggestion I have is the use of some right-stuff or a tennis wrist strap sweatband to pickup the blowby.

also -- are you running a PCV >?

Ronbo · #6 (**permalink**) 11-21-2009, 06:40 PM

Put an O-ring right at the top shoulder where it meets the intake... (or a fiber gasket like Chevy used)

David Biele · #7 (**permalink**) 11-21-2009, 07:54 PM

Ronbo,

I just wish it had a shoulder to gasket.

Barry_R · #8 (**permalink**) 11-22-2009, 07:33 AM

The FE distributor "floats" in the intake and indexes directly to the block - it does not bolt down to it like a Chevy does. A flat surface gasket design won't work

When you install the intake you need to center it around the distributor before tightening the intake down. If you get the intake mounted off center the distributor will leak at the seal.

Sometimes a combination of intakes and blocks will cause the seal to be positioned wrong. Installing it upside down - with the pointed end down will sometimes do the trick. But it will be a real PITA to pull the distributor out if it goes below the sealing face....

David Biele · #9 (**permalink**) 11-22-2009, 07:39 AM

Thanks for all of the input but, I woke this morning and thought why not get a larger diameter (meaning thicker o-ring) and replace the V-ring with a o-ring. Any comments.

CCX 33239 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-22-2009, 03:23 PM

Just to expand on what Barry R was saying, I've always been told to make sure the distributor is in place and fully seated before you torque the intake down. That should get the seal as close to centered as possible.

Ronbo · #11 (**permalink**) 11-22-2009, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Biele

Ronbo,

I just wish it had a shoulder to gasket.

My bad, for some reason I thought there was a lip on the bottom of the intake opening, there aint...

Ronbo · #12 (**permalink**) 11-22-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Biele

Thanks for all of the input but, I woke this morning and thought why not get a larger diameter (meaning thicker o-ring) and replace the V-ring with a o-ring. Any comments.

Kinda doubt it will help, the V-ring is used because an O-ring would be less "forgiving" of an out of center shaft. Perhaps a V-ring with a slightly larger lip.

I think its time to get the teflon tape out...

RICK LAKE · #13 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 04:09 AM

David Biele Dave when I built the 452 motor had the same problem with oil leaks. Found out the running a PCV in the r/s valve cover helped alot.
Couple things to check, make sure that the gear is not sitting on the block inside. You want a little play if you lift and lower the shaft. If the shaft is being pushed up, you need to redrill and move the gear to get the correct play. The directions for the MSD explain how to check and move the gear if needed. This depends on how much machine work was done on the mating surfaces, Intake and heads. The other thing you can do is get 2 gm distirbutor gaskets and glue them togeather and let dry. Mark the rotor position and housing position and remove. Install the gaskets on the lower housing and put back in motor. Tighen until you can't spin the distributor easy and stop. This should seal your leak without and problem. The other thing to check is, the front of the intake to heads area. Is it possible the oil leak is coming from the corner? Buying the oil leak kit with dye and glasses makes finding and fixing the leaks alot easier. I don't recommend RTV on this location because of adjustment. Once the seal is broken from adjusting the distributor it could leak real easy. Rick L.

David Biele · #14 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 09:23 AM

I just got off the phone with the MSD tech and he told me that the gasket is supposed to be installed with the taper side up facing the distributor clamp,
This is reversed on how the gasket came and how the my mechanic installed it. I now have hope and when I get home tonight I will change the o-ring and see what happens.



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