TSP Distributor conversion

Recently we heard of the Total Street Performance distributors , with very good value and good looks we decided to try one. After a quick questioning of a few Facebook pages and a couple forums netted  good reviews and a few unfavorable ones we decide to try one. TSP distributors are very similar to the MSD offerings and after inspection they are alike inside. TSP offers three different types of distributors the Pro-Billet , the HEI and the Ready to Run.  Not being a fan of the large distributor cap inherit in the HEI style cap plus possible interference with a 2X4 intake we looked at the two other options. So my first choice is the Pro-Billet but after checking they do not offer it for the FE so the Ready to Run was our pick part number JM7708R. After checking a few places we scored one for $115 with free shipping. The ready to run comes with a internal printed circuit that negates the need for an external ignition control box. This design had a few draw backs first being if it goes bad then there is no easy way to fix it, plus we are using it in conjunction with a Digital 6AL MSD control box so we don't need it. Another option is rewiring it to hook to your factory Duraspark box for you truck guys, which we will be doing later on another project . I was pleased with the basic fit and finish of the distributor as well as the the accessibility of the centrifugal advance weights which like a MSD are on the very top . Also included  with the distributor are offset busings to increase the advance and extra springs to set when your full advance comes in making this distributor easy to tune. One other very nice thing is there is a vacuum advance to mechanical advance conversion included in the kit which we will be using .  In the following pictures we will walk you through the process of what we did , total time was about an hour. One thing to note is the magnetic pick up in the distributor is the same as an MSD or Ford Duraspark  easy to find at any auto parts store should you have a problem on the road.
Text: Dan Cain
Photos: Nikki Ellis

let's get started

using a small drift pin remove the rolled pins from the distributor
gear and locking collar

slide shaft out

remove snap ring and washer

unscrew and remove pickup coil plate

remove vacuum advance

remove base plate

left is TSP/MSD pickup coil right is factory Ford Duraspark
it will bolt in place if necessary for roadside repairs 

remove printed circuit from baseplate

clip pickup coil wires from printed circuit and solder the wire
extensions on  using heat shrink to protect. Then install with what ever connector
you are using for your ignition control

well now we got it apart at least

empty and ready to start back

a good idea to inspect everything we found a couple metal
shavings in the bottom after disassembley

install base plate taking care to feed pickup sensor wires back
through and out the bottom of distributor

mechanical advance conversion tab

place pickup coil plate on base plate and in mechanical lock bracket

screw in mechanical advance lock

place washer

snap ring

slide greased shaft in

install locking collar and pin

reinstall  pin

finished and ready to to wire in to your ignition control of your choice