MSD 8503 Ford 289, 302 E-Curve Pro-Billet Distributor Installation User Manual
MSD For the car
MSD Pro-Billet Digital E-Curve Distributor
Ford 289/302
PN 8503 -
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
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