Experience with MSD 6AL Ignition Box
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 96
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From: Columbus GA
Experience with MSD 6AL Ignition Box
I added an MSD 8572 Tach Drive Distributor and an MSD 6AL box with an MSD Blaster coil. This was to help fire the Holley Systemax engine upgrade.I am in the process of installing all new wiring harness,to include Dash,forward lamp,rear lamp and engine compartment. Does any one have experience of what I have to modify in the standard harness to get this thing some ignition? I have done very little research so far as I am getting lazy after reading this forum, there is so much experience and knowledge here to be had..for free. I had some help rigging up a temporary ignition system to get the motor running and break in the cam, that system won't do me any good now. Also, am having some issue with where to place the MSD box. I added an AC so the right fender area is not so good now. A little crowded. I am not restoring to complete original so any ideas are welcome.
Racer
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 370
Likes: 1
From: Taylors sc
I added an MSD 8572 Tach Drive Distributor and an MSD 6AL box with an MSD Blaster coil. This was to help fire the Holley Systemax engine upgrade.I am in the process of installing all new wiring harness,to include Dash,forward lamp,rear lamp and engine compartment. Does any one have experience of what I have to modify in the standard harness to get this thing some ignition? I have done very little research so far as I am getting lazy after reading this forum, there is so much experience and knowledge here to be had..for free. I had some help rigging up a temporary ignition system to get the motor running and break in the cam, that system won't do me any good now. Also, am having some issue with where to place the MSD box. I added an AC so the right fender area is not so good now. A little crowded. I am not restoring to complete original so any ideas are welcome.
My heavy 12 v wires are on the alternator and work fine.. The ignition on small red is ran off the factory coil positive... It has ran well on a bunch of em that way..
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Columbus GA
Hey dp, Here is a photo of my 6al under the drivers side vacuum can..My car is an A/C car as well... as for the wiring??? My heavy 12 v wires are on the alternator and work fine.. The ignition on small red is ran off the factory coil positive... It has ran well on a bunch of em that way..
My heavy 12 v wires are on the alternator and work fine.. The ignition on small red is ran off the factory coil positive... It has ran well on a bunch of em that way..
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Columbus GA
Racer
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 370
Likes: 1
From: Taylors sc
Hey Joey, is your car Power Brakes as well or manual? I am finishing conversion to power brakes so am fooling with the booster right now anyway. Will have to get in there and take a look to see if enough room. I would prefer to have the box in the engine compartment if possible.Thanks for the photo. How do you guys get photoes in this forum? As many issues as I am having, it would be helpful to be able to show you guys pix instead of me having to try and describe all the problems.
My car also has power brakes...When i mount the boxes in this loc i hold em on the inner fender well where the wheel splash area is, mark it then drill the holes and mount it to the inside... there is some curvature there but as you can see no problem!!
As for pics,ive been in here since 99' then changed screenname for personal reasons in 02'..Forgot how to put pics in..Then whallah.. "Bill curlee" ?? had a tutorial in the c-5 section that showed the steps to do photobucket and then post the pics.. 15 minutes i was posting pics agian.. My poor floppy disc camera has had it now... you can look under the frequently asked questions FAQ and see the instructiuons there as well.. dont be afraid to post how do i post pics... I tried to find it but wasnt succesful...
joey
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 46
From: winter haven florida
St. Jude Donor '12
up near the firewall under the top pad. there is a bracket that holds the top pad and i made a small bracket to attach my 6al to it. i ran it that way for 11 years or so.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
Mine is mounted on the engine compartment fender well, driver's side. I have A/C and power brakes and there is plenty of room. MSD claims you can mount the box in a position except upside down. Remember also that you have to use spiral wound or heli-wound spark plug wires. Solid core wires won't work.
To get the most out of the ignition system the MSD distributor has an adjustment under the reluctor plate to adjust the mechanical advance along with an assortment of springs and weights that came with the distributor. Take the time to set the initial, mechanical and vacuum timing for optimal. Mine is set as follows:
initial 13* btdc
mechanical 20* btdc
all in at 2900 rpm, 50* btdc
One other note about timing. The MSD fires multiple sparks over 20* of rotation. Some dial back timing lights have a hard time reading this multiple sparks over 20* and it looks like your timing is jumping all over the place and is not steady. It's not your engine or timing, it's the light. If this happens to you try another timing light or one that is not a dial back. If you use a light that is not a dial back you will have to put a strip of timing tape on the balancer.
To get the most out of the ignition system the MSD distributor has an adjustment under the reluctor plate to adjust the mechanical advance along with an assortment of springs and weights that came with the distributor. Take the time to set the initial, mechanical and vacuum timing for optimal. Mine is set as follows:
initial 13* btdc
mechanical 20* btdc
all in at 2900 rpm, 50* btdc
One other note about timing. The MSD fires multiple sparks over 20* of rotation. Some dial back timing lights have a hard time reading this multiple sparks over 20* and it looks like your timing is jumping all over the place and is not steady. It's not your engine or timing, it's the light. If this happens to you try another timing light or one that is not a dial back. If you use a light that is not a dial back you will have to put a strip of timing tape on the balancer.
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