Problem setting timing in my car.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,794
Likes: 430
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,794
Likes: 430
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Caledon Ont
sorry stumper means like a mystery something that needs deeper thought or no resolution to the problem for the moment
Calling msd or checking out their web site may be an idea they probably have a F&Q section (facts and questions)
Calling msd or checking out their web site may be an idea they probably have a F&Q section (facts and questions)
Last edited by falconview; Aug 15, 2009 at 02:50 PM. Reason: spelling
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,794
Likes: 430
From: Aarhus, Denmark
I learned some new English today
I will contact MSD
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 6
From: Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '12
I should have paid closer attention. If memory serves, the MSD docs will tell you not to use a Dial Back or Digital timing light. I've used the old fashioned inductive timing lights on MSD before, that should work.
If you call MSD, don't be surprised if they try to sell you a timing light.
If you call MSD, don't be surprised if they try to sell you a timing light.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 952
Likes: 0
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,794
Likes: 430
From: Aarhus, Denmark
I should have paid closer attention. If memory serves, the MSD docs will tell you not to use a Dial Back or Digital timing light. I've used the old fashioned inductive timing lights on MSD before, that should work.
If you call MSD, don't be surprised if they try to sell you a timing light.
If you call MSD, don't be surprised if they try to sell you a timing light.
thanks RobbSalzmann
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,794
Likes: 430
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Can I disconnect the 6AL box, and wire from the distributor to the coil, and set my timing, and then connect to 6AL box again? (I guess that it is the 6AL box that gives me problems)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 923
Likes: 37
From: Green Bay Wisconsin
Hello,
Can we assume your using the battery in the car as a power source and not using an external battery not connected to the car?
Always looking for the obvious answer.
Douglas in Green Bay
Can we assume your using the battery in the car as a power source and not using an external battery not connected to the car?
Always looking for the obvious answer.
Douglas in Green Bay
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,794
Likes: 430
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Yes I use the battery in the car.
Can I disconnect the 6AL box, and wire from the distributor to the coil, and set my timing, and then connect to 6AL box again? (I guess that it is the 6AL box that gives me problems)
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I've had a digital dial back timing light connected to my MSD for years. Something is not right, clamp the inductive clamp on number 1 wire near the distributor, put the positive wire on the positive terminal of the alternator and negative wire on the negative terminal, turn the light on and start the motor. 
Have you got that metal braided spark plug wires or something like that ?
Have you got that metal braided spark plug wires or something like that ?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,794
Likes: 430
From: Aarhus, Denmark
I've had a digital dial back timing light connected to my MSD for years. Something is not right, clamp the inductive clamp on number 1 wire near the distributor, put the positive wire on the positive terminal of the alternator and negative wire on the negative terminal, turn the light on and start the motor.
Have you got that metal braided spark plug wires or something like that ?
Have you got that metal braided spark plug wires or something like that ?
I've tried that, it dosen't work.
I've also sent a mail to MSD, let's see what they can find out.
What I was thinks of is, go from distributor to the coil, cut the cable to the 6AL box, and connect the cable to the coil. Can this work?
Here you can see my plug wires.
Last edited by c3_dk; Aug 16, 2009 at 01:46 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
I have Moroso Blue Max spiral conductor wires http://www.moroso.com/articles/artic...piralCore.html on my '69. My Penske (Sears) inductive dial-back timing light will not light with theses wires. When I time the car, I substitute a plain old carbon core wire on #1 cylinder, and the light works fine. When I'm finished I reconnect the Blue Max wire and it's good to go. I don't know if this is your problem, but it's easy enough to check. You don't have to remove the #1 wire from the car, just unplug it at the distributor and the spark plug and plug in the substitute wire.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,794
Likes: 430
From: Aarhus, Denmark
I have Moroso Blue Max spiral conductor wires http://www.moroso.com/articles/artic...piralCore.html on my '69. My Penske (Sears) inductive dial-back timing light will not light with theses wires. When I time the car, I substitute a plain old carbon core wire on #1 cylinder, and the light works fine. When I'm finished I reconnect the Blue Max wire and it's good to go. I don't know if this is your problem, but it's easy enough to check. You don't have to remove the #1 wire from the car, just unplug it at the distributor and the spark plug and plug in the substitute wire.
Hi PeteZ06
I just tried your suggestion, unfortunately it dosen't work.
But thanks for input.
/John
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
I have a dial back timing light, an MSD 6AL box, blaster coil, 8.5mm MSD spiral wound wires and MSD distributor.
I have to be sure the clamp on the #1 wire is near the spark plug and gripping the wire in the clamp opening just right or I don't get a spark.
MSD advises that because of the multiple spark over 20* of rotation, SOME dial back lights will not work properly and it will look like the timing is floating all over the place when it is actually the timing light. It will however still show a flash and the flash will sometimes look random. If you get no flash at all and the light works on other cars it must be your connection.
Try another spark plug wire to see if you get a flash.
The worst case scenerio would be to put degree tape on the harmonic balancer so you can set base, vacuum and mechanical timing accurately with a non dial back and non digital timing light.
I have to be sure the clamp on the #1 wire is near the spark plug and gripping the wire in the clamp opening just right or I don't get a spark.
MSD advises that because of the multiple spark over 20* of rotation, SOME dial back lights will not work properly and it will look like the timing is floating all over the place when it is actually the timing light. It will however still show a flash and the flash will sometimes look random. If you get no flash at all and the light works on other cars it must be your connection.
Try another spark plug wire to see if you get a flash.
The worst case scenerio would be to put degree tape on the harmonic balancer so you can set base, vacuum and mechanical timing accurately with a non dial back and non digital timing light.
