MSD 8361 distributor for the 1961-1967 Chevrolet Impala V8 4.6L, the 1962-1969 Impala V8 5.3L, the 1964-1969 Impala V8 5.4L, the 1966-1969 Impala V8 6.5L or 7.0L, the 1968 Impala V8 5.0L, the 1969-1985 Impala V8 5.7L, the 1970-1976 Impala V8 6.6L or 7.4L, the 1977-1985 Impala V8 5.0L and other vehicles is an MSD Ignition distributor with a magnetic pickup and both vacuum and mechanical advance. It is intended for street cars that want proven race performance.
- Street Pro-Billet series with a vacuum advance canister for economy and a mechanical advance with supplied springs and stop bushings
- Maintenance-free magnetic pickup and precision reluctor for stable trigger signals throughout the rpm range
- QPQ-coated polished steel shaft guided by a sealed ball bearing at the top and an extra-long sintered bushing at the bottom
- Advance plate and weights fine blanked from chrome moly steel and QPQ coated; weight pins staked and TIG welded to the plate
- CNC machined billet aluminum housing and base
- Mechanical advance assembly can be locked out for crank trigger systems
Quick facts
- Part: MSD 8361 distributor
- Fits: the 1961-1967 Chevrolet Impala V8 4.6L, the 1962-1969 Impala V8 5.3L, the 1964-1969 Impala V8 5.4L, the 1966-1969 Impala V8 6.5L or 7.0L, the 1968 Impala V8 5.0L, the 1969-1985 Impala V8 5.7L, the 1970-1976 Impala V8 6.6L or 7.4L, the 1977-1985 Impala V8 5.0L and other vehicles
- Material: Cast iron melonized QPQ coated gear
- Condition: New
Hard starting, misfires or a rough idle can come from a worn distributor, but wiring, the cap and rotor or the ignition control can also be behind them. With the engine off and cool, look the cap and rotor over for cracks or carbon tracking and try the shaft by hand for side play before replacing the distributor; a shop can test the pickup signal.
Fits
The listing covers a wide range of Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Oldsmobile and Pontiac models, led by the 1978-1981 Chevrolet Malibu V8 5.7L, the 1978-1983 Malibu V8 5.0L, the 1961-1966 Chevrolet Suburban V8 4.6L and the 1966 Suburban V8 5.3L. Each engine takes one distributor. If your car is not named here, find it by year and engine in the "Vehicles it fits" section.
Specifications
Fit and size
- Engine make/size: Chevy Small Block (262-400), Chevy Big Block (396-454)
- Quantity per vehicle: 1
- Distributor type: magnetic pickup
- Advance: vacuum and mechanical
- Cap and rotor: HEI style, supplied
Build and materials
- Housing and base: CNC machined billet aluminum
- Gear: cast iron melonized QPQ coated
- Shaft: QPQ coated polished steel
- Color: red
- Condition: New
- CARB E.O. number: D-40-39
- Warranty: MSD manufacturer's limited 1 year warranty
- Country of origin: United States
In the box
One distributor with an HEI style distributor cap and rotor, plus the springs and stop bushings for the mechanical advance.
Installation notes
- Must be used with an MSD 6, 7 and 8-series ignition.
- Accepts Cap-A-Dapts.
- O-ring seals can be added to modified blocks to improve oil pressure control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the MSD 8361 work as a Malibu distributor for the 1978-1981 Chevrolet Malibu V8 5.7L?
Yes. MSD 8361 is listed for the 1978-1981 Chevrolet Malibu V8 5.7L and the 1978-1983 Malibu V8 5.0L. For other cars, look in the "Vehicles it fits" section.
Do I need a separate ignition control to run this distributor?
Yes. This distributor must be used with an MSD Ignition Control, and the MSD 8361 is meant for MSD 6, 7 and 8-series ignitions.
Does the MSD 8361 come with a cap and rotor?
Yes. MSD 8361 comes with an HEI style distributor cap and rotor, plus springs and stop bushings for the mechanical advance, and it accepts Cap-A-Dapts.
Can the advance on this Street Pro-Billet distributor be locked out for a crank trigger?
Yes. The mechanical advance assembly can be locked out for crank trigger systems, and the vacuum advance canister can be locked out too.
Is this MSD distributor CARB approved?
Yes. It is CARB E.O. approved under number D-40-39.
