How long should an MSD 6al work?  I installed the box last year, along with a MSD coil. This year I rebuilt the motor and put it all back together. The weights/ springs in the old distributor were trashed and parts were siezed. I didnt have time to order a new HEI from MSD. I had to buy stock.

 Last week my '78 started but hesitated and I thought my fuel pump went. It was getting gas, finally it stalled and wouldn't start. I thought my new distributor was cooked. Didn't have time for it, called a tow truck and took it to PEP Boys. They called and the MSD had to be replaced and they wanted to add a new ground. The MSD was already grounded but they added one anyway.

 Because the parts aren't matched is this going to happen again? Should I buy the new distributor? Or should I pull the MSD and go with a different system? Reliable performance is what I'm looking for. This is a daily driver that's driven hard.

 

Andy,

Ask Norbert, AKA Belguim Berry what happens when you don't match components.

This is a bit different than Barry's problem.  The MSD box is designed to work with the stock distributor.  Ground are a notorious problem in Corvettes.  The additional ground wire may have been necessary do to the electrical path of the first ground.  I would run it a bit and see what happens.  It may be fine.

did i hear my name over here ?

i prefer components that match , yes.

The car does run great now so I guess I'll wait and see what happens. If it happens again I'll know how to fix it and have it towed to the house. In the mean time I am going to order a knew distributor from MSD.

 I took a look at the old dist. cap they pulled off when they did the work and it was pretty bad. I'll check the knew cap in a week or two and see what condition it is in.