I am about to replace the ignition on my '68 coupe with a complete MSD system (disti, ignition control, wires, coil, plugs, etc.). I have (as far as I can tell) a completely original 327/350 4 speed. I am looking for suggestions on setting up the distributor (springs, weights, etc.) and timing. Obviously with the higher compression engine I need to be concerned with detination and fuel octane levels. I plan on starting very cautious at the expense of performance, then dialing it in to maximize performance with out engine noise and risk. Any suggestions and inputs are greatly appreciated.

Call Summit Racing or Jegs Racing.

Ken Styer

Your distributor pkg should include a kit of springs and bushings, plus some pretty decent documentation on how to use them. MSD does a nice job with this stuff.

This is the setting I'm running 390horse 350 with the total MSD package pro billet distributar 2 blue springs 21deg.blue bushing, 10deg Inital advance. I went with an Accel adjustable vacuum advance set at 7deg. So at 3000rpm.you have a total advance of 38deg. and at wide open 31deg. I'm using Sunoco gold 96.

Chaffer..I know that I'm comming into this discussion a bit late, but I recently changed my ignition out also. I was considering the MSD package...which is a great change, but then reconsidered and went to the Pertronic's Part #612-409 1958-74 Ignitor II Conversion Kit $129.99 Low Stock at Mid America MotorWorks. And also the Pertronics low ohm coil part #612-411 1958-74 Coil, (0.6 ohm) Flame Thrower II (Black or Chrome) $44.99 . This allows you to use you stock distributor, assuming it's still good...and upgrade it to a fully electronic set-up, with magnetic pick-up. It was real easy to install...just take the time to read and follow the instructions....and it allows you to keep a stock look and keep the cars tach operational (connects to the side of the stock distributor). Just an option to think about...but after installing mine....wow what a difference! And the good thing about it is that once you get it installed and set...you just forget about it...no more adjusting or points to contend with.

Food for thought

Good luck with which ever way you go.

If you replace the dist,don't forget about the tach drive.

FYI...
I completed the ignition conversion over the weekend. I did not change the bushing or spring that came in the disti. Everything went together OK, had a bit of timing troubles but got it figured out. Car now starts and runs better, no more high RPM misses. I have no Detination with the 'out of the box' set up of the disti, so I will now begin to advance the timing and free up the mechanical advance and dial in the HP.
Thanks for all of the suggestions.