Well that answers another of my questions Jeff, you can leave the springs and weights in from Lars' points set-up in the distributor with the TI ignition. What about the vac pod Jeff, did Lars change that out too? IMHO there's nothing wrong with the curve in Lars' kit, it just the points system ain't got enough juice to fire the plugs when I :smash: the throttle.

Get back to me on the vac pod will you.

So it comes down to this. I could go with the updated TI and at least be able to send the amp back to TI Specialities if it ever crapped out (vs. the MSD's box failing and only being able to buy a new one) and at least I save myself the cost of a distributor. Or, go with the MSD for the multiple spark feature/advantage for some extra cost.

I gotta dig out a Jeg's catolog and see if there's components like the pick-up coil that fit into the stock tach drive dist. to help lower the cost of the 6A system. If The Oman bought the billet distributor my idea may not work.

And btw Oman, it's a little late for you to be the slightest bit concerned about dragging me down the road of ruin! I'm a "self-starter" in that regard!

:yesnod: :cheers:

All of your responses are really helping me to sort through the options! :crazy: (Each of you must be fairly accomplished in the English language 'cause I'm pickin' up what you're layin' down!) Thanks guys!

 

Well, here's another comment...

I'm using Accell points in the stock dist. The same set has been in there for almost 4 years and no problems.

I installed a MSD 6 a couple of years ago (it was free!) The "startability" and low speed driving was greatly improved over just points and a Bosch coil. It really made the Dominator more tractable.

Then one day the MSD died. Luckily I had enough wire in my tool box to "McGyver" it to get home. The fact that I had points alllowed me to do this.

When i installed the 540 I re-wired the harness so that in the event the MSD dies again, I can be back to plain 'ole points with the switching of two wires. I hate being stranded!

I know the MSD dist. is a great piece. It seems like you can use Ford pickup coils in them in a pinch, but I like being able to get it home if something bad happens. If I was going crosscountry with any aftermarket dist setup, I believe I would keep a complete points or HEI dist. from a junkyard in the tool kit just in case. Parts are hard to find sometimes!

Also, my 540 turned over 7500 rpm recently on the chassis dyno and never missed a beat. Grumpy Jenkins ran 9's in the old days with them. There are other places to spend $$, but just using your points and adding a $100 or so MSD or comparable box will work great.

Jim

 

...kahuner..i know goodie about ti's but i do know that our club mechanic has 3 old-time distributor setup machines in his garage, one for regular distributors, one for ti's and one for hei...if it's that much trouble, i think i'll just lie down till it passes, thank you..heck, i don't care if it's just because the coils are different...imho, if you got a driver, make it as reliable as possible :yesnod:


[Modified by Kid_Again, 2:36 PM 8/26/2001]

 

5years ago put MSD pro - billet distributer, with mechanical tach drive & vacum advance & 6200 box on my 1966, 427 . Have not touched the ignition system since , what more can be said ,,,,,, point s are old ancient tecnowledgy.......go with the MSD set up. Instantanious starting smooooth idle & power. Worked for me.


[Modified by StrayDog, 4:18 PM 8/26/2001]

 

"Well that answers another of my questions Jeff, you can leave the springs and weights in from Lars' points set-up in the distributor with the TI ignition. What about the vac pod Jeff, did Lars change that out too? IMHO there's nothing wrong with the curve in Lars' kit, it just the points system ain't got enough juice to fire the plugs when I the throttle.

Get back to me on the vac pod will you."
_________________________________
Bob. Lars didn't fool with or change the vac pod. It appears fairly new...probably 1997-98 when the last owner did lots of work on it. Interestingly, however, the shielding had been literally cut and bent to advance the vac pod/distributor way right. The distributor was wobbly as hell. After the quick Lars rebuild and timing set, it was solid and was positioned where it was supposed to be. I repaired the shielding. I have seen other BBs with the shielding cut on that side also...strange to me :confused: Then again, many things in life are strange to me....... :yesnod: :yesnod: :crazy:
**********
Jeff
'66. L72
"The Silver Beast"
Do it and Save it..... :seeya :seeya :seeya

 

OK, my two cents. I'm an originality buff, so naturally I lean towards the TI recommendation. A full blown system, from TI Specialties, that includes distributor, coil, amp and harness, runs about $1000. Kahuner, I don't know what you already have for TI components, but if you have any, I'd say complete the picture and go all the way Man!

I don't know dink about the MSD system. I do know about TI. It's simple, elegant, and bomb proof. However, it is suspeptable to Bubba. Like all electrical systems on the old Vettes, grounding is the key to having electrical things work. In the TI system, the amp box provides the ground for the system via the three mounting screws that hold it to the radiator support. There must be good "mating' between those screws and the rad support.

I had TI Specialties rebuild and curve my "Bubba-ized" distributor. That, along with a TI coil set my 396 monster FREE!!

So, like I said to Blkblt, give that Badboy L72 what it needs and deserves. TI!!

 

Kahuner

When I first bought the car 427/425. It had both a MSD 6A and Mallory Unilite module, New Model 207 Coil and stock shielded wires. It was an absolute nightmare. The car died one day as I was going through the gate at a huge show -- had to have it flat bedded home. Now the 207 coil was a joke (leaking oil) so replaced with a MSD Blaster. The person before me forgot to add a ballast resisitor so the Unilite was toast as it is requires 7-10.7 volts. Of course the MSD was history also and that is what actually caused all the problems. Bought a new MSD box and Unilite module, hid the ballast resistor and got the car running. Didnt like the way it was running so looked at the distributor wires at dark and it looked like a lightning storm. Yanked the MSD, left the Unilite. NO more problems with the wires and it ran fine however the heat from the engine made the wires from the unilite so limp that they wouldnt carry current and car was dying once in a while. Fixed that by adding shielding over the wires. Car has been running fine -- starts well, absolutely no misses etc. However the problems I had earlier made me very apprehensive. That coupled with the fact I am trying to prepare the car for NCRS judging forced to to restore the TI system. I am CURRENTLY in the process of putting the TI system back. I bought two 66 dated distributors, New correct 231 coil, new TI harness, new modern amplifier board ( correct amplifier was already on car), all stickers and gaskets. It was pretty big bucks !!! A freind of Kid_Agains (the one he references) is overhauling and setting up the distributors. I got the specs from Dave Fiedlers website. I am picking them up this week and will then start the changeover. By the way, Dave Fiedler is an absolute expert on this system and his website contains a wealth of knowledge about them.

If you are just looking for reliability I would recommend the Pertronix unit as they seem to be more heavy duty and able to take the heat from the big block and the new one does not require a ballast resistor like the unilite. If you are also looking for originality then go with the TI system but be prepared to spend large $$$$.

john lolli

 

Sorry about the screw-up on the link in my earlier post (specialtIES vs. specialTY) - gotta clean my glasses before transposing stuff from now on :crazy: I have a properly-rebuilt distributor (new bushings and breaker plate, .004" end-play, high-tension Accel points) and a stock coil and new stock plug wires on my '69 Z/28, and it howls to 6500+ with no problems. Like Lars says, points systems can be made to work fine - but not with sloppy old distributors and stock low-tension points; and, it's simple, and won't leave you stranded :smash:

 

Just about the time I think I'm going in the right direction by repairing the TI for about $800 (based on the estimate from TI Specialty) there's another post onto the thread recommending points from JohnZ AND; his reply includes that little dude with the hammer!

This getting off of the subject abit, but everytime I see that little dude with the hammer in a response, ya just gotta laugh! He's one of the :cool: est icons there will ever be! If the creation of those animated icons were the work of our Forum Moderators, then I tip my hat to them! Actually, IMHO, it's why this Forum (along with the members) is the best! The NCRS website never stood a chance against this group! :smash: There ya go. I couldn't resist.

Now back to the subject of "to spend or not to spend $, that is the question."
And after everything is said and done, there isn't much to do or say! Except for me to tell you what I've learned. :crazy: And after everybody reads this you may want to drag out your :smash: cause you'll want to beat me about the head, neck, shoulders and chest! :lol:

If it wasn't for my concern of resale value, the clear choice would be the MSD system. But I do worry about having some a55munch giving me goodie over it. In fact, the same can be said for the points. (I should've taken that into consideration when I purchased this car)

JohnZ; I heard every word you said (w/o beating the "poopie" out of me with your little friend :smash:) but your Z28 came with points. I'm still planning on coming over and have you test drive the car though.

So the bottom line is, the MSD and the TI "rebuild" are about the same in cost because, I have a good rebuilt cable drive distributor and the amplifer housing to start with. Secondly (here's where I'm gonna get creamed!) if it ever breaks down, I'll be on the phone to TI Specialty and beat the :smash: "poopie" out him!

I just love that guy! :seeya