1979 Mercury Cougar Performance Distributors

MSD engineers fit all of their high performance distributor experience into a special compact housing designed to be less obtrusive for Ford engines. The diameter of the special cap and housing are 5/8 inch smaller than stock Ford distributors providing extra room in front of the engine. The new MSD cap features spark plug style terminals and is firmly screwed down to the housing. The distributor relies on MSD’s race proven magnetic pick-up and precision reluctor to deliver accurate trigger signals to the MSD ignition throughout high rpm. The reluctor assembly is turned by a hardened steel shaft which rides in a sealed ball bearing for high rpm stability and endurance. Mounted to the top of this shaft is a fully adjustable mechanical advance assembly. The rate at which the chromoly assembly advances the timing is easily controlled by changing the supplied advance springs and stop bushing for total advance.

Product Features:

• Billet housing 5/8 in. smaller dia. than stock Ford distributors
• Must Be Used w/An MSD Ignition Control
• Supplied w/small dia. cap w/HEI style terminals; race and rotor
• Will accept PN[8441] Cap-A-Dapt
• Nylon pads ensure smooth operation of the advance weights
• Advance weight pins are staked and tig welded to the plate
• Mech. advance assem. can be locked out for crank trigger systems
• Advance plate and weights are fine blanked from chrome moly steel

The street pro-billet distributors are the perfect choice for powerful engines that see plenty of street time. The street models share the same features as the small diameter models shown above, plus feature a vacuum advance. This canister provides improved economy and an accurate mechanical advance lets you dial-in an advance curve to match your driving needs. A magnetic pick-up produces accurate trigger signals that remain stable throughout the entire rpm range of your engine and is completely maintenance-free.

Product Features:

• Billet housing 5/8 in. smaller dia. than stock Ford distributors
• CARB E.O. Approved
• Easy-to-adjust mech. advance w/supplied springs and stop bushings
• Vacuum advance canister for improved economy (can be locked out)
• CNC machined billet aluminum housing and billet aluminum base
• Maintenance-free magnetic pickup and precision reluctor
• Creates stable trigger signals throughout the rpm range
• QPQ coated polished steel shaft; guided by sealed ball bearings
• Advance plate and weights are fine blanked from chrome moly steel
• QPQ coated for friction reduction
• Mech. advance assem. can be locked out for crank trigger systems
• Advance weight pins are staked and tig welded to the plate

The industry standard with adjustable mechanical advance curve. Triggered by photo-optic infrared LED system. Improved combustion efficiency and economy, increased spark plug life and cold weather starting, and maintenance free operation.

Product Features:

• Improved Combustion And Economy
• Increased Spark Plug Life
• Improved Cold Weather Starting
• Maintenance Free Operation
• Accurate Spark Timing
• Self-Lubricating Bushings
• Years Of Trouble-Free Service

MSD’s Ready-to-Run Ford distributors are the perfect upgrade for bulky Duraspark systems or ancient breaker point models. All you need to do is drop it in the engine, connect three wires and fire the engine. Each distributor features an ignition module that produces a powerful inductive spark to improve combustion of the fuel mixture resulting in quick starts, smooth idle and increased performance. The billet aluminum housings of these distributors are 5/8 In. smaller in diameter to accommodate induction setups and tight engine compartments. A maintenance-free magnetic pick-up is responsible for triggering the high voltage sparks while a sealed ball bearing guides an oversized shaft. Beneath the bolt down cap and MSD race rotor you’ll find MSD’s accurate mechanical advance assembly. Different advance springs and stop bushings are supplied so you can easily tune a curve to match your needs. Plus, there is a vacuum advance canister to increase economy on long drives.

Product Features:

• Simple And Clean Installation w/Only Three Wires To Connect
• Built-in module produces a 7.5 amp single spark through high rpm
• Easy-to-adjust mech. advance w/supplied springs and stop bushings
• Vacuum advance canister for improved economy (can be locked out)
• CNC machined billet aluminum housing and billet aluminum base
• Housing Is 5/8 in. Smaller In Diameter Than Stock Ford Distr.
• Maintenance-free magnetic pickup and precision reluctor
• Polished steel shaft is guided by a sealed ball bearing

MSD Pro-Billet Distributors are the finest performance and racing distributors available. Every feature has been engineered to endure the rigors of high performance and racing engines. Whether cruising the streets or racing stock cars, dragsters, boats or trucks, MSD has a distributor for it. MSD uses state-of-the-art, Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) mills and lathes to machine each housing. After a long series of precise cuts and movements, the billet is formed into a flawless distributor housing that is accurate to within 0.001″. The flex-free housings are lightweight, have no porosity or weak areas and look great on polished, show quality engines.

Product Features:

• CNC machined billet aluminum housing and Dupont Rynite base
• Must Be Used w/An MSD Ignition Control
• Supplied w/Cap; HEI Style Terminals And Rotor
• Nylon pads ensure smooth operation of the advance weights
• Advance weight pins are staked and tig welded to the plate
• Mech. advance assem. can be locked out for crank trigger systems
• Advance plate and weights are fine blanked from chrome moly steel
• QPQ coated for friction reduction

All the quality and performance you’ve come to expect from MSD is now available in black. Our customers have requested black parts for their builds so we’ve answered with the addition of several black distributor caps and cap and rotor kits. The black parts are built to the exact specifications of the traditional MSD red components. If you’re looking to change up the look under the hood of your street machine, off-road rig or race car; check out the complete line of MSD black components.

Product Features:

• Injection Molded From DuPont Rynite Material
• Extreme strength; high dielectric properties
• Designed with performance in mind
• High quality; voltage insulating material
• Brass terminals
• Black in color

The cap and rotor of any ignition system must be considered maintenance items. Just as you change the oil and filter of your car, you should always replace the cap and rotor as a set. To make things easy, we now offer these cap and rotor replacement kits.

Product Features:

• Rynite Injection Molded Caps And Retainers
• Designed w/Performance In Mind
• High Quality; Voltage Insulating Material
• Stainless Terminals

Product Features:

• Heavy Duty Cap and Rotor Kit
• With Brass Inserts

Product Features:

• Heavy Duty Cap and Rotor Kit
• With Brass Inserts

Product Features:

• Heavy Duty Cap and Rotor Kit
• With Brass Inserts

Product Features:

• Heavy Duty Cap and Rotor Kit
• With Brass Inserts

MSD Ignition is a company built on Customer Satisfaction and Service. That is why all of MSD products go through regimented test procedures before they are ever packaged and shipped. MSD stands behind its products for one full year after purchase

Product Features:

• Rotor phasing can be adjusted.
• Ideal When Atomic TBI Is Controlling The Timing

A distributor’s performance is only as good as its drive gear. MSD ignition has put a great deal of effort into researching and testing a variety of metallurgical compositions, heat treating and coatings to provide you with a durable, accurate and strong distributor gear. The result is a special iron alloy gear that is treated to a low-friction coating process. To you this means long life, an easy break-in period and reliable performance. Features micro polished surface for smooth contact. Proprietary formulated ductile iron. Melonite QPQ coated reduces friction and initial wear. Interstitial carbide concentration improves wear resistance and running properties.

Product Features:

• Increased outer hardened layer thickness (RC 55-60)
• Micro Polished Surface For Smooth Contact
• Proprietary formulated ductile iron.
• Melonite QPQ coated reduces friction and initial wear
• Interstitial carbide improves wear resistance/running properties

Mallory distributor gears are precision machined from alloy steel in our factory to exact original equipment specs. For use with cast flat tappet hydraulic/mechanical cams and austempered ductile iron roller cams.

Product Features:

• Replacement Distributor Gear