Do I need a MSD 6A Box?

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Jul 2, 2015 | 01:36 PM

#21

TheSkunkWorks

Le Mans Master

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 7,353

Likes: 72

From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray

Nice when they're working, but not a reliable piece. Having had two of them fail within a couple of years I'd have a hard time recommending any MSD box. YMMV

Jul 2, 2015 | 01:49 PM

#22

Kid Vette

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 2,802

Likes: 241

From: Niles, MI

Depends what MSD distributor you have. if you have this one, you'll need the box.

Jul 2, 2015 | 02:56 PM

#23

Neil B

Drifting

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 1,565

Likes: 111

I have a 13.5:1 solid roller 372ci small block that turns 7,500 rpm. I have it set up with a simple MSD 8360 Ready-to-Run distributor and Blaster coil with no box. It starts easy and pulls very clean throughout the rpm range. I've heard folks claim improvements with MSD boxes, but I've just never seen the need and I like to keep things simple.

Jul 2, 2015 | 07:47 PM

#24

TedH

Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 1999

Posts: 8,351

Likes: 75

From: Tampa Bay FL

No. I would not upgrade my Accel Performance HEI distributor with 40K volt coil and matching module with an MSD 6* unless it was absolutely essential.

My warmed over 80L48 has not required a single ignition upgrade beyond the Accel Performance replacement distributor with performance module (under $150), Taylor Spiro Pro wires (about $50) and AC R45TS spark plugs gapped at .045 (under $20). This equipment works great... only 'bling' was recent install of a red MSD distributor cap to match my (red) Taylor wires and exterior paint....

I still have my black Delco Remy wire retainer ring on the dist cap.

Jul 2, 2015 | 10:05 PM

#25

Super6

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 925

Likes: 7

Quote:

Originally Posted by jst2gtby

Im having what i believe to be an issue w the box as well. My 71 came with an msd distribuitor, msd blaster 3 and a 6AL box... im almost possitive i am getting no spark because of the box. Ran a few test (white wire to ground w/ screw driver in cable to coil 1/4 inch from ground) and i got nothing. Any eay i can just run the dist and coil by themselves and eliminate the box? Sounds to me thats keeping it might be more trouble than what its worth...

If you wanted to turn your engine over with no spark, say if your plugs were out, you would ground the white wire. Or to make a cheap ignition kill, you would connect the white wire to a switch and ground the other side of the switch. That's what you're doing, if I'm understanding what you wrote. There's no spark if the white wire is grounded.

Jul 2, 2015 | 10:08 PM

#26

havesometo

Drifting

Joined: Dec 2012

Posts: 1,360

Likes: 59

From: Meldrim Georgia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super6

Jul 3, 2015 | 02:56 AM

#27

Danish Shark

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 878

Likes: 55

From: Deep South Denmark

Quote:

Originally Posted by jst2gtby

Connecting the white wire permanently to ground would disable the ignition box, but grounding it and then releasing it will trigger it.
The white wire is used with breaker style distributors.

Shorting and then releasing the green and violet wires (for the mag. trigger) will do the same.

/Karsten

Jul 3, 2015 | 05:09 AM

#28

LT1M21Vette

Burning Brakes

Joined: Nov 2014

Posts: 947

Likes: 213

From: Foothills of the Adirondacks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jst2gtby

And sorry in advance for bringing up an old thread. I just bought the car and am desperate since its been dead for 2 weeks now.. Thanks for understanding and i look forward to your responses.

Dave

You have a much, much, much better chance of getting your problem solved if you start your own thread instead of asking in a zombie thread.