Timing with MSD question
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,708
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Timing with MSD question
I hope to get my MSD box and distributor in on Sunday. I never really worried about this before but a couple of recent posts made me wonder about using a set back timing light with an MSD box. I assume the start up timing will be pretty straight forward but when I'm trying toset for 36 degrees total is it going to be easy to see? Any. Tricks?
Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 543
Likes: 24
From: Riverside CA
I'm runnning a MSD 7 AL-2 with a Pro Billet Distributor in my 396 Camaro and I have the advance locked and set at 30 and love it!
Do not be affriad to try it, you need to play around to get the right setting. Once you have found the "sweet spot" leave it and run with it!
Do not be affriad to try it, you need to play around to get the right setting. Once you have found the "sweet spot" leave it and run with it!
Pro
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 556
Likes: 13
From: C3 Forum, Colorado
One word of caution though.
Make sure your spark plug wires are in good condition and not bleeding electricity or arcing.
If they are and you don't know it you will find out really fast the hard way.
When you grab that distributor cap to adjust the timing that MSD will light you up and knock you on your butt.
They pack quite a punch.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
Make sure to set the total advance after 3000 rpms, thats where the multiple spark discharge thing stops happening....You will notice at idle the timing will be jumping around, rev it to 3000+ and the mark will smooth out. I use a Sears Professional digital adjustable timing light and it reads identical to my old Sunpro dial back light....MAYBE .5* difference...maybe....
I also run my timing locked out with no centrifugal weights..... I run 32* locked out (for WOT) then I run another 4.5* of vac advance to get me 36-37* at light cruise.
You have to find what works for your combo...
I also run my timing locked out with no centrifugal weights..... I run 32* locked out (for WOT) then I run another 4.5* of vac advance to get me 36-37* at light cruise.
You have to find what works for your combo...
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 2
From: Circleville Ohio
Vader Vette
when I do dist work I always pull up #1 TDC and pull the dist at that point. great place to start .after putting it back in leave the bolt kinda loose then as you start the engine and turn the dist you will see (looking at the HB) the % will move as you turn the dist. dont turn fast as said set it and tighten the bolt. Put it all back together. go for ride.
Added the MSD Dist last Year and have been very happy with it good price Jegs.
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,708
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Make sure to set the total advance after 3000 rpms, thats where the multiple spark discharge thing stops happening....You will notice at idle the timing will be jumping around, rev it to 3000+ and the mark will smooth out. I use a Sears Professional digital adjustable timing light and it reads identical to my old Sunpro dial back light....MAYBE .5* difference...maybe....
I also run my timing locked out with no centrifugal weights..... I run 32* locked out (for WOT) then I run another 4.5* of vac advance to get me 36-37* at light cruise.
You have to find what works for your combo...
I also run my timing locked out with no centrifugal weights..... I run 32* locked out (for WOT) then I run another 4.5* of vac advance to get me 36-37* at light cruise.
You have to find what works for your combo...
I was wondering if there was a trick for stopping the multiple sparks to set idle. Doesn't sound like it.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 744
Likes: 19
From: Salzburg Austria
Hi!
I also have a MSD6-Al system in my car and tried 2 timing guns, but both of them didn´t work correctly.
The discription of the timing guns says: multiple spark - yes.
So I´m wondering why they don´t work. 
Innova Equus 5368 and 5568.
If you have found a timing gun with dial back function that works with a MSD, please let me know!
Best regards, Günther
I also have a MSD6-Al system in my car and tried 2 timing guns, but both of them didn´t work correctly.
The discription of the timing guns says: multiple spark - yes.
So I´m wondering why they don´t work. Innova Equus 5368 and 5568.
If you have found a timing gun with dial back function that works with a MSD, please let me know!
Best regards, Günther