When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
MY MSD 6AL has lasted for at least 10 years. I run it will a modified Mallory Unilite distributor. The advance curves on these distributors wears quickly but I bypassed it with a fixed timming then use a MSD timming computer.
I am running a Crane HI6 in mine with a stock distributor. I am using a set of heavy duty points to trigger the box. No current is running through the points so they should last a long time. The Crane HI6 box is solid state and has dials for a rev limiter. Running 4 years now no problems.
Although I had a recent problem with my MSD box I still recommend MSD. The previous owner had used the wrong 12v source to feed the box, and as a result, it failed. Jegs said MSD normally charges $35 plus S/H for bench check and repairs if it is something like burned diodes.
Being that heat is an issue with me (454), I relocated my MSD 6A box behind the right wheel well behind the valane panel.
I run the MSD 6A box, MSD Blaster II Coil, and the MSD Pro Billet tach drive vacuum advance distributor.
Hope this helps :cheers:
Weasle :D
Car Craft just ran an article (latest issue) comparing the MSD6AL, Accel 300+, Mallory Hyfire 4C, Crane Hi6, and Holley Anilater (sorry for spelling and I can't remeber the version)....but they were pretty much even...the Accel box was slightly better but not by more than the deviation allowed for dyno error. I liked the size of the Accel and am very please with its performance so far.
They also tested all of these "entry level" boxes against a Hi priced MSD digital version (like a $500 model..can't remeber name, but for serious track use)...and the entry level models rated well against it.
I have a mixed bag of igintion parts too (Accel 300+box, wires, and plugs, Petronix coil, Mallory dist).
Messing with ignition is so far down my "to do" list, it ain't funny. HEI works great for my application. Of course, if I had the old points, coil, and condenser, my attitude my be different... :smash:
Well in my life I've had 4 different ignition boxes, MSD, Crane and now a Mallory. the only one that went out on me was the MSD 6a, I then switched over to a Crane and it was sold with the old truck. I did a Mallory Unilite conversion on the 73's distributor and I thought it would probably be a good idea to stick with Mallory for the ignition box and rev limiter so I bought the IVc, so far so good and I feel a lot better having the rev limiter with the manual trans. I've seen a lot of MSD 6 series ignitons go out, especially back in the early 90's, don't know if they are any better now. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Crane though, worked great with my nitrous setup on the old truck. I voted for Mallory since that's what I'm currently running.
I run a Crane HI-6 box and and an MSD billet distributor with mech. tach drive for 6 years and no trouble.
The Crane box uses RISC microprocessor technology, multiple sparks for 20 degrees of crank rotation and has equal to or greater O/P that MSD, and has an adjustable rev limiter. I have read a lot of posts and talked to people that say the MSD is not as reliable as others. I think the mounting location and proper grounding to the box are key to life. In other words they are probably equal, now look at price.
I have the MSD billet distributor and coil so I just thought having everything from the same manufacturer couldn't hurt. Hey it fires up in the morning, runs great and won't ping so I'm happy.
I'm running a Vertex Magneto in my '68, it's all self contained. NO comparion to HEI. As long as you have a kill switch to shut the car off your fine. :lol: