Msd 8503 Ford 289, 302 E-Curve Pro-Billet Distributor- User Manual

Msd 8503 Ford 289, 302 E-Curve Pro-Billet Distributor

Msd 8503 Ford 289, 302 E-Curve Pro-Billet Distributor– User Manual, read for free online in PDF format. We hope this helps you resolve any issues you may have. If you have further questions, please contact us through the contact form.

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Table of Contents:

  • Page 2 – CHOOSING AN ADVANCE CURVE; FACTOR; Figure 2 Ignition Timing Factors.
  • Page 3 – • Start the electrical advance just above the idle rpm.; SETTING UP THE DISTRIBUTOR; to the number 1 spark plug wire and start the engine.
  • Page 4 – Figure 3 Available Timing Curves.
  • Page 5 – Figure 5 Marking the Rotor Location.; INSTALLING THE DISTRIBUTOR
  • Page 6 – Figure 6 Wiring the Ready-to-Run Chevrolet Distributor.
  • Page 7 – STARTING AND TUNING TIPS; Figure 8 The Timing Tape Installed.
  • Page 8 – Figure 9 Optional Installation by Bolting the Cap Down.; Limited Warranty; or consequential damages.; Service; When returning MSD components for warranty service,; Proof of Purchase must be supplied for verification. After; All returns must have a Return Material Authorization (RMA) number; issued to them before; M S D
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MSD Pro-Billet Digital E-Curve Distributor

Ford 289/302

PN 8503 -

U.S. Patent 6820602

Important:

  Read these instructions before attempting the installation.

P a r t s I n c l u d e d :

1 - Digital E-Curve Distributor

1 - Rotor, PN 8467

1 - Distributor Cap, PN 8433

1 - Wire Retainer

2 - 1.5" Self Tapping Screws

1 - 3-Pin Harness

1 - Tube of Gear Lubricant

1 - O-Ring

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.msdignition.com/registration.

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.

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 over-rev 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. 

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

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Summary

Page 2 - CHOOSING AN ADVANCE CURVE; FACTOR; Figure 2 Ignition Timing Factors.

2 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 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 Electronic Centrifugal Advance: Since this distributor is all electronic, there really is no mechanical  or centrifugal advance. On a standa...

Page 3 - • Start the electrical advance just above the idle rpm.; SETTING UP THE DISTRIBUTOR; to the number 1 spark plug wire and start the engine.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 3 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 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 mak...

Page 4 - Figure 3 Available Timing Curves.

4 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 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 Figure 3 Available Timing Curves. Figure 4 Advance Curve Switch Position.

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