I have a PN 8566 Pro Billet distributor in my 455 engine. As some of you know from previous threads, the timing advance doesn't seem to be working correctly. With a timing gun on the mark, it shows a big advance and stays in that position at idle and at 3000 rpm. I pulled the distributor (linked to a 6AL box) and found the reluctor is completely rusted (every surface) but the car seemed to start and run fine (no misses or bogging). This is an expensive piece to replace and since its only purpose is to create a spark for each cylinder, maybe it is OK being rusted. I could use emery cloth to take the rust off the ends but I'm worried it may cause the gap between the magnetic pickup to widen just a bit. Will that affect its ablility to work correctly? If anyone knows about MSD distributors, I could sure use some reassurance before I start learning things the hard (read expensive) way. The springs and weights seem to be working fine. No rust in that area except for the bushing underneath. I put in a new one of the same color. I'm guessing it limits the total advance to 21 degrees. This distriutor has no vacuum port - just two wires to the 6AL box. Thank you.

 

MSD has always been really good to work with for me. if you have any concerns with the dist. you can send it to them for rebuild. they will replace anything that is questionable and you will basically get a new dist. for a lot less than replacing the whole thing.

 

Check and set dwell to 30 degrees next recheck timing because points affect timing, but timing doesn’t affect points.
good luck