MSD distributor cap-carbon brush available ?

[soulman]

Hi Guys,

Does anybody know if you can get the MSD Distributor cap carbon ??
Its obviously a servicable item, as it comes off very easy.
Have replaced 3 caps in 1200 miles. It seems to be a common problem, and as i live in Australia the caps are not as readily available.

Or can you replace it with a NON MSD Cap and rotor.

Thanks.
Soul.

[RICK LAKE]

Soulman A am not 100% sure but try the SBC caps from the 70's. MSD has been having this problem for the last 2-3 years with the carbon centers breaking, burning up, and falling out. The other thing is which coil you are running. Have to remember that it is like welding inside that cap and instead of 1 spark you get 10-20 degrees of steady spark. I carry spare caps and rotors. Also a whole distributor just in case. Rick L. Ps there are some old threads on this back about 1 year ago. There might be better info than mine there.

[vettestr]

The most common failure is caused by the metal tab on the rotor arcing to the carbon post in the cap center. This info is all on MSD web site and professionally described but here goes. Bend the rotor tab toward the carbon post so it touches the caps post (not crazy pressure but for sure touching). If not touching an arc eats the post away every time it discharges the coil.

The second known problem is the rotor timing. The issues is the location of the rotors (conductor ?) or tab that aligns with each cylinders spark plug contact as it rotates to deliver each spark pulse through the cap. This one angers me a bit because if it is off or bad the distributor was built poorly and there is no home repair. buy some POS adapter to fix their mistake? See tech paper here
http://www.msdignition.com/uploadedF...or_phasing.pdf

[undy]

I use a blue streak (brass contacts) from the local Advance Auto for a 72 (or there abouts) chevy. It's the one that has the window that raises for point adjustment. I've had the cap and rotor on my MSD Pro-Billet for 2 years now and the contacts are still in great shape. There's no need to waste money on the inferior MSD cap/rotor.

[Rick Parker]

There are applications where this will work, I know it fits the small diameter Distributors for Windsors and 289/302.

As mentioned above the Spring Blade in the center of the rotor must make actual contact with the carbon button. I found a good way to check is to put a film of Dielectric grease, assemble the cap onto the distributor and then remove the cap an check the carbon button for indication of grease and the rotor blade for the inpression of the button, adjust the Spring Blade accordingly, then remove the grease.

http://msdignition.com/Products/Dist...tributors.aspx