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Old 11-11-2019, 09:46 PM
Scott Stoneburg's Avatar
Scott Stoneburg Scott Stoneburg is offline
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Default Crank trigger vs Distributor Ignition

Looking for advise, Advantages of a Crank Trigger over my MSD distributor. I acquired a crank trigger set up for the 535 I'm building. But what is the advantage over a traditional distributor? Is it just in adjustability? This will be a sometimes street driven and drag race set up. If its worth it I could switch my current 474 over to it. Any disadvantage to running it on the street where occasional rain/puddles may be involved?
Thanks

  #2  
Old 11-11-2019, 10:20 PM
Mark G Mark G is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott Stoneburg View Post
Looking for advise, Advantages of a Crank Trigger over my MSD distributor. I acquired a crank trigger set up for the 535 I'm building. But what is the advantage over a traditional distributor? Is it just in adjustability? This will be a sometimes street driven and drag race set up. If its worth it I could switch my current 474 over to it. Any disadvantage to running it on the street where occasional rain/puddles may be involved?
Thanks
I drive on street with a crank trigger never a problem timing is always rock solid …


Last edited by Mark G; 11-11-2019 at 10:25 PM.
  #3  
Old 11-11-2019, 10:26 PM
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Half-Inch Stud Half-Inch Stud is offline
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Dizzies may have Timing bounce due to Cam twist & dizzy gear lash. Yet dizzy has Mech & Vac ADV.

  #4  
Old 11-11-2019, 10:31 PM
Dragncar Dragncar is offline
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Ken Brewer back when he was in business told me a crank trigger was worth 7HP in his dyno testing. He owned a dyno.

  #5  
Old 11-12-2019, 02:31 AM
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Jack Gifford Jack Gifford is offline
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Weather doesn't bother crank triggers.
The basic advantage is very precise ignition timing.
I like the combination of a crank trigger with a Crane TCU on the Pontiac in my GMC- setting up the advance curve and vacuum advance without opening the hood is convenient.
Having said that; I must admit that I probably wouldn't have bothered with it. Except that the variable cam phasing I built (and tested) needed the ignition synchronized with the crank, not the cam. [The cam drive gears were too noisy for a street machine, so I shelved it. I hope to eventually get a set of helical gears cut and try again]

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Last edited by Jack Gifford; 11-12-2019 at 02:41 AM.
  #6  
Old 11-12-2019, 07:59 AM
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chuckies76ta chuckies76ta is offline
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Scott, hope it's ok Hijacking your thread. Question to do with Balancer bolts.

If installing a Crank trigger, Belt pulley, and Vacuum pump pulley on Crank snout, what size bolts should a guy go with? I've seen the 4 bolts loosen up. I actually had a friend loose his pulley on the track. He took his Balancer to machine shop and drilled and tapped for 3/8".

So, I believe the 4 bolts are 5/16". Seem to small. opinions?

Thanks

  #7  
Old 11-12-2019, 10:45 AM
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Scott Stoneburg Scott Stoneburg is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckies76ta View Post
Scott, hope it's ok Hijacking your thread. Question to do with Balancer bolts.

If installing a Crank trigger, Belt pulley, and Vacuum pump pulley on Crank snout, what size bolts should a guy go with? I've seen the 4 bolts loosen up. I actually had a friend loose his pulley on the track. He took his Balancer to machine shop and drilled and tapped for 3/8".

So, I believe the 4 bolts are 5/16". Seem to small. opinions?

Thanks
No problem with hijacking, I'm happy for any info shared. I am using a Inovations West Balancer that has the magnets made into the balancer. One of the reasons is so I wouldnt have to use a bolt on ring for the magnet. I didn't want to have to re-do all the pulleys spacers for the alternator and vacuum pump.
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Old 11-13-2019, 07:46 PM
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chuckies76ta chuckies76ta is offline
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Thanks for the info Scott.

Charles

  #9  
Old 12-01-2019, 10:35 AM
bigdogmark bigdogmark is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott Stoneburg View Post
No problem with hijacking, I'm happy for any info shared. I am using a Inovations West Balancer that has the magnets made into the balancer. One of the reasons is so I wouldnt have to use a bolt on ring for the magnet. I didn't want to have to re-do all the pulleys spacers for the alternator and vacuum pump.
Do all the stock pulleys still line up running this damper?

Thanks, Mark

  #10  
Old 12-01-2019, 08:04 PM
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Scott Stoneburg Scott Stoneburg is offline
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I believe they will. I havent had it in my set up yet. The tech guy at Inovators West said they would.

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