Installation Manual

ManualsBrandsMSD ManualsFor the car8394 Digital E-Curve Distributor

MSD Pro-Billet Digital E-Curve Distributor

PN 8394 - U.S. Patent 6820602

Important: Read these instructions before attempting the installation.

Parts Included:

1 - Digital E-Curve Distributor

1 - Rotor, PN 8467

1 - Distributor Cap, PN 8433

1 - Wire Retainer

2 - 1.5" Self Tapping Screws

Note: The terminals of this Digital E-Curve Distributor require spark plug style terminals. You may

need to change the terminals and boots of your wires. MSD offers two kits, PN 8849 or PN 8848

that are supplied with nine boots and terminals.

Note: If the gear is ever replaced, MSD Gear (PN 8531)

is required for replacement due to the .500"

diameter shaft.

DIGITAL E-CURVE FUNCTIONS

RPM LIMIT

This distributor is equipped with an adjustable rev limiter. It

is adjustable from 5,000 - 10,000 rpm by a rotary dial under

the cap and rotor (Figure 1). The rpm will not exceed your

selected amount to protect the engine from overrev damage.

TIMING FUNCTIONS

Electronic Advance Curve Operation: The Electronic Advance Curve is managed by a microprocessor

built into the ignition module. You can program an electronic timing advance curve by adjusting two

rotary switches under the distributor cap (Figure 1). A magnetic pickup is used as a trigger device

that tells the ignition module when to ﬁre the coil. The pickup is triggered by a reluctor mounted to

the distributor shaft. This means that you have to set the distributor at the highest, or Total, amount

of advance that you want to achieve (including vacuum advance) and compensate with one of the

selectable ignition curves (shown on page 4). Following are important deﬁnitions that will be used to

set up your timing.

1 - 3-Pin Harness

1 - Gasket

1 - Tube of Gear Lubricant

2 - O-Rings

1 - Timing Tape Set, PN 8985

WARNING: Before installing the MSD Digital E-Curve Distributor, disconnect the battery cables.

When disconnecting the battery cables, always remove the Negative (-) cable ﬁrst

and install it last.

Figure 1 Rotary Dial Adjustments.

Timing

Switch 1

Timing Switch 2

Rev

Limiter

ONLINE PRODUCT REGISTRATION: Register your MSD product online and you’ll be entered

in our monthly 8.5mm Super Conductor Spark Plug Wire give-away! Registering your product

will help if there is ever a warranty issue with your product and helps the MSD R&D team create

new products that you ask for! Go to www.msdperformance.com/registration.

M S D • W W W . M S D P E R F O R M A N C E . C O M • ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 5 2 0 0 • F A X ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 3 3 4 4

Summary of content (8 pages)

PAGE 1
MSD Pro-Billet Digital E-Curve Distributor PN 8394 - U.S. Patent 6820602 ONLINE PRODUCT REGISTRATION: Register your MSD product online and you’ll be entered in our monthly 8.5mm Super Conductor Spark Plug Wire give-away! Registering your product will help if there is ever a warranty issue with your product and helps the MSD R&D team create new products that you ask for! Go to www.msdperformance.com/registration. Important: Read these instructions before attempting the installation.
PAGE 2
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS Electronic Centrifugal Advance: Since this distributor is all electronic, there really is no mechanical or centrifugal advance. On a standard distributor, this advance would be called centrifugal so it will be referred to as the electronic centrifugal advance. The chart on page 4 shows all of the different combinations you can achieve by simply turning the two rotary dials located under the distributor cap.
PAGE 3
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 3 As you can see from the chart, most factors will change throughout the range of the engine operation. The Digital E-Curve allows you to make timing changes based on these factors. Example: An engine has 11:1 compression, a high energy ignition and turns 5,500 rpm. With the specifications given, you will have to retard the timing for the high compression and high energy ignition.
PAGE 4
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS Figure 3 Available Timing Curves. Figure 4 Advance Curve Switch Position. MSD • WWW.MSDPERFORMANCE.
PAGE 5
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 5 INSTALLING THE DISTRIBUTOR Note: When installing the distributor for the first time, it is recommended to place the switches in the locked-out timing position. This will assist you in setting the timing curve by ensuring that the total timing is correct. 1. Remove the existing distributor cap without disconnecting any of the spark plug wires. 2. With the cap off, crank the engine until the rotor is aimed at a fixed point on the engine or firewall.
PAGE 6
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS RED TO COIL POSITIVE + 12 VOLTS ORANGE TO COIL NEGATIVE - BLACK TO ENGINE GROUND *MUST BYPASS THE BALLAST RESISTOR. Figure 7 Wiring the Ready-to-Run Chevrolet Distributor. NOTE: THE DIGITAL E-CURVE DISTRIBUTORS DO NOT REQUIRE AN MSD IGNITION, THOUGH THEY CAN BE USED WITH ONE. THE TIMING CURVE AND RPM LIMIT WILL STILL FUNCTION. *MUST BYPASS THE BALLAST RESISTOR. Figure 8 Connecting an MSD Ignition Control to the Digital E-Curve Distributor. MSD • WWW.
PAGE 7
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 7 INSTALLING THE TIMING TAPE 1. Locate the top-dead center or 0° mark on the harmonic balancer or timing wheel. 2. Select the correct timing tape for your application. Make sure you know the correct size of the harmonic balancer or timing wheel you’re using. If this is not known, measure the diameter of the harmonic balancer or timing wheel’s edge and note the size. 3. Choose the timing tape that matches your balancer’s diameter.
PAGE 8
Installation Option: This Cap can also be bolted down to an MSD Pro-Billet or Billet Distributor base with the supplied hardware. To accomplish this, the spring clips must be cut off (Figure 10). Note: When the cap is bolted down, the location of the spark plug wires must be changed. Figure 10 Optional Installation by Bolting the Cap Down. Service In case of malfunction, this MSD component will be repaired free of charge according to the terms of the warranty.