MSD distributor 408 stroker

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Hambony58

Hambony58

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Distributor install went wrong, 408 stroker motor. Bought kit from S-K speed it was part of a kit. The shaft is not long enough - the model number is 8534 it specifically says it’s for small block Mopar motors up to 360CI that is what I believe the stroker motor was built on. Has anybody else had this problem? Have not contacted MSD yet will do that tomorrow. Any input would be appreciated thank you. Hambony58
 
That is the same part number MSD Dist. I have in my 416. Did you compare the length to the old one? Or is this a new build? I assume you installed the oil pump drive? Was the oil pump drive bushing installed in the block? Need more information.
 
I’m running the same in my 360-408 stroker p/n 8534 .make sure it’s sitting in the distributor drive slot or there might be a burr on either end stopping the distributor to seat properly. Sorry your saying too short ?
 
SGBARRACUDA said:
That is the same part number MSD Dist. I have in my 416. Did you compare the length to the old one? Or is this a new build? I assume you installed the oil pump drive? Was the oil pump drive bushing installed in the block? Need more information.
Click to expand...
This would be my question to the OP...did you forget the oil pump shaft? Looks like this.

upload_2019-7-25_9-49-28.png
 
Seen that a few times with customers, one was cranking a 426 hemi over a hour trying to get it to start. He paid almost 20K for the motor and the builder forgot it!!!!!!!!
 
SGBARRACUDA said:
That is the same part number MSD Dist. I have in my 416. Did you compare the length to the old one? Or is this a new build? I assume you installed the oil pump drive? Was the oil pump drive bushing installed in the block? Need more information.
Click to expand...
Good morning, so all we did was pull the old (billet style but cheap looking) distributor and drop the new one in per instructions. We did check the shafts against each other and the MSD is shorter. Here’s a photo of the receipt for the motor. I don’t have access to the old distributor as I am at work presently. Let me know if you would like that info later. Hambony.

D1763646-D6A1-422A-BAAD-0CC0C544DE59.jpeg
 
How do you KNOW it's an MSD distributor? There are many Ching chow knock offs out there. That may be what you have.
 
Check it against the old one, and also check out the outcome of the two tests in the previous posts.

I'm running the factory Magnum distributor, which is also the cam position sensor unit for the JTEK EFI. One of the main reasons to run a Magnum amongst all the other benefits they bring to the table.
 
Usually the bushing is put in the block before assembled. Most of the time depending on the press fit they have to be reamed to size for the correct oil clearance. This should be done before the pump and pan are installed,

Also I already had a bronze oil pump drive for a roller cam that was not pinned correct and the shaft was to low in the gear just enough that the Distributor flat didn't reach the slot.

Not all distributors can be used with the gasket. O-ring only on some. The flat doesn't always reach into the slot that far. An issue like you are having can be measured. I have MSD distributors here for parts I can measure and tell you if the shaft is short. Measure from the base flange to the tip of the shaft and post the measurement. Also from the top of the slot in the gear to the top of the distributor hole in the block. There is A fresh motor on the stand in the garage I can also measure for you and post pictures of both measurements.

LA blocks should all have the same measurement no matter the stroke unless the top has been resurfaced for Deck height change for intake fitment. But that would make the shaft to long . Steve
 
How do you know it is to short? Not spinning? Oil pump drive gear is more then likely missing as said^^^^^
 
That would do it. Glad you found it. That would be the first thing that I should have thought of.. But I never think of it being that easy. Does the motor have a high volume pump. They make a shaft for that application. The cheaper shafts have that problem. This is the one we used on the last motor that was built with a flat tappet cam. Roller cams use a bronze gear

Milodon Oil Pump Driveshafts 21530
 
Steve, the original poster hasn't replied with the solution yet.

Sounds like the shaft on his new distributor is shorter than the one that came with the engine. Get your money back on the new distributor and get one from FBO systems. 4secondsflat.com
 
So here is the picture of the difference in the shaft length of the two distributors. So I’m kind of stuck in betwixt and between the engine builder has not gotten back to me after two voicemails today. I’m wondering if he used a different Oil pump shaft length? What is the OEM length of the shaft? I can pull it out and check it this weekend. Apparently this was a budget build -the original distributor is nothing special kind of a knock off piece of ****. Any ideas on something I could have done at a machine shop?
 
When we installed the MSD unit and it was fully seated it was not engaged we could rotate the rotor without any resistance
 
No that is not enough difference to cause it not to engage. Pull the oil pump drive shaft out, you can remove it from the top. Look down the hole and check to see if your engine builder forgot to install the shaft bushing in the block.
 
Mopar LA engine – 3.875”
Mopar B engine – 3.5″
Mopar RB engine – 4″

the B/RB also rotates in the opposite direction, that would throw the timing off from a drop in...if it fit.
 
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