msd ignition
- Thread starter carlosz
- Start date
thanks a whole lot, I attempted to use accel ignition due to a bad coil and this brand ruined my alternator, now I am thinking of going with the 6a or the 6al with a ss blater coil.
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budz
Guest
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TheVanman
Guest
Chris, did you have to redrop your distributor to make it run? Several years ago I put one on my '88, and when I got the hall sender signal polarity where it will run, the hall trigger pulse seems to be phased opposite of what the MSD wants and the timing was off so far that I couldnt get enough advance until I redropped the distributor a tooth different. The problem was that this made the cap and rotor out of phase now so that it was firing between the plug wire terminals inside the cap. The easiest way I could see to fix it was to shorten the vacuum advance rod so that the timing advance plate in the distributor pulls it back into proper phase, and the distributor could go back to the original position. Yes, I did try reversing the polarity of the hall sender wires to the MSD, and it barely ran. Misfired and ran really bad no matter where the timing was set to. just wondering if you experienced the same issue.
Vanman
Vanman
Wow.... I didnt have to do any of that to my distributor. But, Mine did run like shit...
Turns out rerouting the Alternator to Battery power line was the fix... I wrote something about it on www.rangerovers.net
I'll have to find it and link it.
Turns out rerouting the Alternator to Battery power line was the fix... I wrote something about it on www.rangerovers.net
I'll have to find it and link it.
ptschram
Well-known member
http://rangerovers.net/rrupgrades/classic/engine/msd.html
I was more hoping it would be a discussion on replacing the distributor as that seems to be the weak link in my trucks.
When it comes to the ignition amplifier, I'd go with the HEI any day and spend the difference in cost between the HEI and MSD on beer!
I was more hoping it would be a discussion on replacing the distributor as that seems to be the weak link in my trucks.
When it comes to the ignition amplifier, I'd go with the HEI any day and spend the difference in cost between the HEI and MSD on beer!
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TheVanman
Guest
Chris, I did see your post on rangerovers.net, and your setup looks very similar to mine. Except that since I dont have ABS, I was able to put the MSD box where the ABS/Brake Boost pump sits on yours. I also used an MSD coil that was a direct replacement for the stock coil, and was able to mount that in the original location.
I am thinking that the MSD and the stock system look for the AC wave pulse to be opposite from each other to fire the coil. One maybe firing on the positive wave pulse and the other on the negative wave pulse, causing the timing difference.
It did however run at least as good as stock even with the phase difference and re-dropped distributor, but I knew it was not as efficient as it could be with the spark jumping the extra gap inside the cap necessary to fire the plug, also possibly causing long term damage to the cap and rotor.
In all, the MSD is a great unit and very reliable once set up. I may not have had to do anything to the distributor, and maybe it would still be running ok...? I would still recommend the install as a very viable replacement for the stock setup.
Vanman
I am thinking that the MSD and the stock system look for the AC wave pulse to be opposite from each other to fire the coil. One maybe firing on the positive wave pulse and the other on the negative wave pulse, causing the timing difference.
It did however run at least as good as stock even with the phase difference and re-dropped distributor, but I knew it was not as efficient as it could be with the spark jumping the extra gap inside the cap necessary to fire the plug, also possibly causing long term damage to the cap and rotor.
In all, the MSD is a great unit and very reliable once set up. I may not have had to do anything to the distributor, and maybe it would still be running ok...? I would still recommend the install as a very viable replacement for the stock setup.
Vanman
ptschram
Well-known member
If all it does is replace the ignition amplifier, I don't see it being worth anywhere near the expense compared to the somewhat tested and confirmed GM HEI amplifier. The GM amps cost what, less than a cup of Starbucks coffee?
Not worth it to me, but then again, I've found some of the aftermarket Rover amps to be pretty darned robust. As for coils, Napa works just fine for me!
PT
Not worth it to me, but then again, I've found some of the aftermarket Rover amps to be pretty darned robust. As for coils, Napa works just fine for me!
PT
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TheVanman
Guest
It does more than just fire the coil. Depending on the model, it provides 3 sparks for each plug firing that is spread out over 20 degrees crank angle up to approximately 3,000 rpms as opposed to other systems that only fire once. It looks like a small arc welder when fired off. It is pretty impressive. I am using the MSD 6A. http://www.msdignition.com/ignition_4_6200.htm
.....Vanman
.....Vanman
ptschram
Well-known member
TheVanman said:
All this for how many $?
It would have to be pretty impressive for me to spend the $.
just so everyone is aware. The MSD made my vehicle run MARVELOUS, until a month ago. Started running rough so I changed everything thinking "there's no way the MSD went bad" Could not get it timed properly, it was about 90 BTDC (guessing since it has no marks over there) anyway I finally pulled the MSD and went back to the remote amplifier. runs ok now and times fine. I am not going to go back to the MSD but whats the best alternative, more specific than HEI, I would like to know what, where and how much if it is fresh on your mind.
Thanx
Thanx
Last edited:
Lasted about a year
Yes had the 6a
Yes it was mounted with the rubber mounts
Looking into getting it fixed but still unsure of if i will reinstall it.
Yes had the 6a
Yes it was mounted with the rubber mounts
Looking into getting it fixed but still unsure of if i will reinstall it.