MSD SYSTEM, How hard to set up?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 546
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From: Pinellas Park FL
MSD SYSTEM, How hard to set up?
I want to order a MSD Tach Drive Dist and 6AL box for my 454. Once intalled is it hard to tune or is it pretty much time it and go. I dont have experiance with MSD products so any suggestions would be great !!! Also where is the best place to mount the 6AL unit
thanks in advance :hurray:
[Modified by conway62, 12:49 PM 9/23/2003]
thanks in advance :hurray:
[Modified by conway62, 12:49 PM 9/23/2003]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 997
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, IN USA
Re: MSD SYSTEM, How hard to set up? (conway62)
As long as you wire it up according to the instructions. You just set your timing and go.
I did mine at the begining of this year and have had no problems or complaints. Much improved starts.
I did mine at the begining of this year and have had no problems or complaints. Much improved starts.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: MSD SYSTEM, How hard to set up? (BLT-71)
As long as you wire it up according to the instructions. You just set your timing and go.
I did mine at the begining of this year and have had no problems or complaints. Much improved starts.
I did mine at the begining of this year and have had no problems or complaints. Much improved starts.
My vette with the MSD dist and 6A box starts better than my EFI Formula.
[Modified by Fevre, 8:14 AM 9/23/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: MSD SYSTEM, How hard to set up? (BLT-71)
As long as you wire it up according to the instructions. You just set your timing and go.
I did mine at the begining of this year and have had no problems or complaints. Much improved starts.
I did mine at the begining of this year and have had no problems or complaints. Much improved starts.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 546
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From: Pinellas Park FL
Re: MSD SYSTEM, How hard to set up? (conway62)
I currently have Accel 8.8 wires for points ignition and would like to keep them. Is the MSD Tach Drive Dist available with a cap for non HEI wires?
:hurray:
:hurray:
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: MSD SYSTEM, How hard to set up? (conway62)
The MSD vette dist comes a points style cap. If you do order the vette dist make sure you find the tach adaptor in the box, it is about 1 1/2" long brass thing that fits into the tach slot in the dist. Mine was missing and had to have them send me one. If you leave it out the tach will not work.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
Re: MSD SYSTEM, How hard to set up? (Fevre)
Actually MSD has changed it the vette tach drive distributor comes with a points size cap for HEI style wires. I just bought mine about 2 months ago and that is what it came with. I think you can order a points style cap and wire setup from them or you could just get a points style cap from the local autoparts store. I believe MSD uses a standard cap size.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 546
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From: Pinellas Park FL
Re: MSD SYSTEM, How hard to set up? (Sigforty)
Thanks everyone for your replies. I just ordered everything from Summit. Shoud be able to install it over the weekend. Any suggestions where to mount the 6AL ignition? I want to make sure to shield it enough so it does not inerfere with the radio / cd. I did order the filter they suggested. My engine compartment is quite full since it is a BB with A/C.
Where do most people mount the unit? :hurray:
Where do most people mount the unit? :hurray:
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
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From: Lake Norman NC
Re: MSD SYSTEM, How hard to set up? (conway62)
i mounted my box behind the passanger dash panel...just hides it and keeps it away from most heat. interferes with speakers in the dash, so those had to come out. other than that..works great!
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: Dayton Area Ohio
Re: MSD SYSTEM, How hard to set up? (Redshark6974)
I have a Mallory Unilite, Pro coil, mounted my Mallory VIIa CD to the passenger wheelwell, close to the vent fins..this way air is always being drawn over it. I've have mine on for 3 months, and no problems. I also run the Accell 8.8 wires... good choice for hi-capacity systems!
:cheers:
:cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
Re: MSD SYSTEM, How hard to set up? (conway62)
I mounted the 6AL box on the left fenderwell on the bracket that used to hold the windshield washer bottle. I made an aluminum plate to adapt it. Of course if you want to still use your windshield washers. . . . .
Good point by Fevre to remember the brass tach adapter. It is hardly mentioned in the instructions. I never figured out why my tach didn't work until somebody (probably Fevre) mentioned it on the forum. :bb
Good point by Fevre to remember the brass tach adapter. It is hardly mentioned in the instructions. I never figured out why my tach didn't work until somebody (probably Fevre) mentioned it on the forum. :bb
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: MSD SYSTEM, How hard to set up? (conway62)
Here are some pics:
http://65.113.119.28:7001/zerothread?id=596490
Unit was already installed using a fabbed alum bracket that you can see the upper attachment bolts but it also bolts to the fender well.
http://65.113.119.28:7001/zerothread?id=596490
Unit was already installed using a fabbed alum bracket that you can see the upper attachment bolts but it also bolts to the fender well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Re: MSD SYSTEM, How hard to set up? (conway62)
Not bad. Just follow instructions and verify correct application (distributor). I did find the purple wire to my MSD distributor changed colors at the connector. MSD says don’t connect red power lead to the alternator and there really isn’t any need with the hot junction terminal on driver side fender-well. I did install a diode on the alternator brown wire as instructed (I think its to prevent S/D dieseling) and used a lot of heat shrink to give the small diode wire strength/support.
I really like the option to use the white wire for a hidden kill/anti-theft switch.
You can get a full instruction book covering all applications from MSD (got mine from local MSD dealer at car show)
You can buy a MSD tach drive adapter #MSD8491 from Scroggin Dickey at sdpc2000.com for $10.
I mounted my box in the people compartment but I really like the idea I saw someone mount behind the firewall in wiper well between the wiper arms/linkage. Stays cool there and protected from weather by hood.
:thumbs:
I really like the option to use the white wire for a hidden kill/anti-theft switch.
You can get a full instruction book covering all applications from MSD (got mine from local MSD dealer at car show)
You can buy a MSD tach drive adapter #MSD8491 from Scroggin Dickey at sdpc2000.com for $10.
I mounted my box in the people compartment but I really like the idea I saw someone mount behind the firewall in wiper well between the wiper arms/linkage. Stays cool there and protected from weather by hood.
:thumbs:
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 10,258
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From: Calif.
Re: MSD SYSTEM, How hard to set up? (conway62)
I put mine on the inside of the passenger's side wheel well. (If you look into the gill vent from the back you can see it.) That worked out well for me because it's well-ventilated and because I hose to draw 12V from, and make the ground connection to, the starter. That's about the next best thing to a direct battery connection, which is what you'll find the installation instructions will recommend.
If you have a street-driven car, though, you might want to move the box up out of the way of splashed water, etc.
If you have a street-driven car, though, you might want to move the box up out of the way of splashed water, etc.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 546
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From: Pinellas Park FL
Re: MSD SYSTEM, How hard to set up? (conway62)
Just wanted to say a quick thanks for everyone who chimed in on this post. Yesterday, I installed a 6AL unit with power filter behind the wheel well on the passanger side. Fits nicely and is completly hidden. Also installed the MSD vette tach drive distributer and blaster 2 coil. Really nice setup. I preset the stop bushing, springs and tach adapter and dropped it in. The only problem is if you are using a standard points styld cap, you have to rotate it so the window is facing the rear of the car. once you do that, you have to move all of the spark plug wires. Once I finished everything, the car started right up, I set the initial to 10 degrees and that was it. The car runs awesome. It is a new rebuilt 454. The ignition upgrade made a huge difference in performance from a points dist. (sorry Lars). I would never go back....
Thanks again to everyone... :hurray:
Thanks again to everyone... :hurray:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,721
Likes: 108
From: Canada
Re: MSD SYSTEM, How hard to set up? (conway62)
I have the 6AL and Blaster coil, only thing that I added was the MSD RFI unit - it stopped all my radio noise, which was so bad that I couldn't even turn it on once I started the vette.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 1
From: Westampton NJ
Re: MSD SYSTEM, How hard to set up? (conway62)
One thing: Verify you all (everyone using the MSD) have a good ground. A mediocre ground will KILL your MSD box deader'n a doornail. I grounded mine to where the starter grounds on the frame.
Keep on :cheers:
Keep on :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,066
From: Virginia USA
Re: MSD SYSTEM, How hard to set up? (rainman69)
One thing: Verify you all (everyone using the MSD) have a good ground. A mediocre ground will KILL your MSD box deader'n a doornail. I grounded mine to where the starter grounds on the frame.
Keep on :cheers:
Keep on :cheers:
