Thread:

is my distributor trapped?

I have a MSD pro billet distributor on a short deck BBC and a Hogan Manifold with a Blower Shop 1471. I want to replace the distributor with a low profile "crab cap" but as it is now I can't even get the cap off. My question is if I break or cut the cap off, will I have enough clearance to get it out and the new one in or do I have to remove the blower?

I think you may have to pull the Blower.


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Good point on the diameter, I'll have to call MSD and ask if there is a significant difference.

Does anyone know if there is room for a front mount distributor with the blower drive?

I got away with this one.#8570

Originally Posted by gn7

I would venture to bet that if you can get the cap off, and the rotor, you can sneek that thing passed the blower. It will close but I think it will come out of there. You'll be able to raise the dizzy quite a bit before it gets to the blower and you'll be able to lean it enough by then.

I take it you're looking at using MSD's 84891 FLAT TOP dizzy, not their "crap cap dizzy"
If so, you'll have to be very carefull about how you set the dizzy to get the timing right. The terminals on each side closest to the intercooler are going to get into the cooler with very little turning either way and it will be no easy to install or remove with the blower on. If you can't remove that one with the cap and rotor removed, I doubt the FLAT TOP will get in or out as well.
With a crank trigger and a MSD 8489 Crab cap dizzy, you could toss the dizzy in there from across the street.

JUST FORGET A FRONT DRIVE DIZZY AND A BLOWER!

The 8489 and crank trigger is the set up I'm leaning toward. I've also heard that the crank trigger makes the timing more stable and will reduce the surge at idle, is there any truth to this?

Originally Posted by gn7

Yeah, its an excellent setup, I just didn't know if you were simply replacing the dizzy with one for more vertical clearance, or using the crank trigger. Good choice.
I only mentioned the FLAT TOP because I know 2 people that bought Crap Cap dizzies BEFORE the Flat Top was available, not realizing they require a crank trigger. I think MSD created the Flat Top just for that reason. You get a boat load of dizzies back, all with the same reason for return, and you learn there may be a market for something.

The vertical clearance was my first issue when I tried to get the cap off (on the water with a dead ignition system). But I'd rather upgrade than simply repairing. So I think I'm going to order the MSD 8489, the 8620 crank trigger kit and the new plug wires that fit the crab cap terminals. l'm also thinking that since I bought a new 6al, that I would wire it in along with my existing one on a switch so I'll have a redundant ignition source.