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By brokengate - 13 Years Ago
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Bought an MSD 8383, Blue Thunder intake, and an aluminum REX valley pan, pretty excited until I started the install. The BT hits the valley pan breather/oil fill, and the BT is a good 1/8 inch maybe more from seating because it's up against the MSD at the rear bolt hole. These parts just aren't designed to be installed (together) as issued, I'm realy frustrated as I did not anticipate problems. The valley pan is likely no big deal, grind it down make it fit but why? and I really hate to start hacking on this well crafted manifold. Maybe I missed a thread about this, but I can't believe these vendors don't realize that there are other aftermarket parts for a Y-block, at least a warning would have been nice, like if you're running an MSD the BT won't fit, or visa versa. If I was running that other engine these parts would fit as purchased, what a pain in the posterior, or am I expecting to much. I'm thinking about going back to the stock manifold or maybe the distributor, any help or experience with the BT/MSD issue would be appreciated. Also does the Mummert intake have the same issue with the MSD? Thanks for any advise you can offer, sorry about the attitude.
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By kidcourier - 13 Years Ago
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Had the same problem on my '57 with the #8383/Blue Thunder! First problem was getting the MSD past the lip on the firewall,then getting the Blue Thunder manifold to clear the MSD(used a small rotary grinder on both,but mostly on the rear corner of the manifold)got it to fit.Then I install a Road Demon(525)carb and a 1" spacer and a custom oval air cleaner! Guess what! Hood wouldn't close,had to remove the spacer and run just a carb gasket to get enough clearance to close. Ain't life grand!! LOL KID
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By rick55 - 13 Years Ago
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Take KidCourier's advice and just massage it to fit. The BT manifold is a great manifold that would be snapped up here in a heartbeat.
Regards
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By Ted - 13 Years Ago
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The newer the Blue Thunder intake, the more the problem with the distributor clearance and especially with the MSD #8383 billet distributor. With the newer batches of BT intakes, I’ve been simply milling the back of the intake in the milling machine. There’s just an excess of material on the intake for some reason but easily trimmed off. Here are some pictures showing both the before and after clearances and also with the intake clamped up in the milling machine. A grinder can also do the same ‘removal’ operation.  Before.
 Machining off the excess amount of aluminum.
 After.
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By mctim64 - 13 Years Ago
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Great tech there Ted! As for me I've had very good luck with modified stock dizzys. I haven't seen the need for a MSD distributor, althought I do trigger an MSD box with the stock one.
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By brokengate - 13 Years Ago
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Mr. Ted Eaton, I took the pictures to a local machine shop and am having milling work done today. They were invaluable in explaining what needed to be done, not sure how well that would have gone without them. Thank you Sir.
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By MoonShadow - 13 Years Ago
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Did Ted's dad post something here? Who is this Mr Ted Eaton?  Chuck
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By brokengate - 13 Years Ago
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Now I'm really glad I didn't go with Your Highness
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By The Master Cylinder - 13 Years Ago
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mctim64 (4/4/2012)
... althought I do trigger an MSD box with the stock one.
Do you trigger the MSD with points or ?? I use a Pertronix to trigger the MSD 6A in my Ranchwagon.
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By mctim64 - 13 Years Ago
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I use a Petronix also but I have used points in the past.
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By PF Arcand - 13 Years Ago
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Ted: you refer to newer Blue Thunder (BT) intakes. Is that the last production or is there current production?
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By Ted - 13 Years Ago
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Paul. I’d say the ‘last production’ which should be the same as the current lot or batch of intakes. The earlier production intakes have adequate clearance in this area. Just seems that each batch of BT intake manifolds gets a little bit closer to the MSD distributors to the point that they are now contacting each other. I’ve tried emailing Blue Thunder in regards to this but no response to the email. In looking at the various BT intakes I have here, the newer they are, the more the aluminum excess there is in that particular area. All other areas appear to be unaffected. Easy enough to fix but it can be bothersome and time consuming if the intake is already bolted down before realizing there is a distributor clearance problem.
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By stuey - 13 Years Ago
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 morning Brokengatethe Mummert intake does not have this problem. i've tried to post a pic but i have a problem between the puter and the mobile/camera. one little problem i had was i used an ARP s/s 12pt bolt kit from AlloyBoltz and the bolt heads are a little tall and the front one in the valley cover ( Mummerts ) just lifts the intake manifold. i replaced the 12pts with the hex heads supplied by John and all was fine. stuey
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