Owners manual

2 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
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Rev Limiter: The Ready-to-Run Distributor has a built-in rev limit that can easily be adjusted from 2,000
rpm to over 10,000 rpm. The default is 10,000 rpm. To set the rev limiter, run the engine to half
the desired rpm then ground the Gray Tach wire (a jumper is supplied) for approximately one
second. Every time the key is turned to the On position, the tach will display the programmed
rpm limit. See page 8 for the programming procedure.
CHOOSING AN ADVANCE CURVE
The function of the advance curve is to match the ignition timing to the burning rate of the fuel and
speed (rpm) of the engine. Any factor that changes the burning rate of the fuel or the engine speed
can cause a need for an ignition timing change. Figure 1 shows some of the factors that will affect
engine timing.
FACTOR Advance Timing Retard Timing
For For
Cylinder Pressure Low High
Vacuum High Low
Energy of Ignition Low High
Fuel Octane High Low
Mixture (Air/Fuel) Rich Lean
Temperature Cool Hot
Combustion Chamber Shape Open Compact
Spark Plug Location Offset Center
Combustion Turbulence Low High
Load Light Heavy
Figure 1 Ignition Timing Factors.
As you can see from the chart, most factors will change throughout the range of the engine operation.
The timing mechanism of the distributor must make timing changes based on these factors.
Example: An engine has 11:1 compression with a high energy ignition. With the specifications given,
you will have to retard the timing for the high compression and high energy ignition. By comparing
the engine’s specifications against the chart, a usable timing guideline can be found. Engines with
a combination of items from both columns will require a timing that is set in the mid range.
Obviously a full technical explanation of correct ignition timing would be very complicated. The best
way to arrive at a suitable ignition curve for your engine is to use the Ignition Timing Factors Chart
as a guide and compare it to the Advance Graphs in Figure 4 until a suitable curve is found. When
selecting your advance curve, use detonation (engine ping) as an indicator of too much advance,
and a decrease in power as an indicator of too little advance.
TIPS ON SELECTING AN ADVANCE CURVE
• Useasmuchinitialadvanceaspossiblewithoutencounteringexcessivestarterload.
• Startthecentrifugaladvancejustabovetheidlerpm.
• The starting point of the centrifugal advance curve is controlled by the installed length and
tension of the spring.
• Howquicklythecentrifugaladvance(slope)comesiniscontrolledbythespringstiffness.The
stiffer the spring, the slower the advance curve.
• The amount of advance is controlled by the advance bushing.  The bigger the bushing, the
smaller the amount of advance.
CENTRIFUGAL ADVANCE CURVE
SELECTING THE ADVANCE SPRINGS
The rate, or how quick the advance comes in is determined by the type of springs which are installed
on the distributor. The MSD distributors are equipped with two Heavy Silver springs installed. These