Any one using MSD

[Wayne P.]

I am looking to replace my distributar with a msd 8572 Pro Billet tac dr.
and add a Digital msd 6425 ignition box . Just a fun driver 1964 327 . Has any body experienced a difference in performance ? Thanks

[Timothy B.]

Re: Any one using MSD

Wayne,

I am sure there are opinions both for the mod and against it.

My opinion FWIW is to install a Breakerless SE, (do away with the points) and make sure all the other secondary ignition parts are in good working order and save the $$$. There is only so much voltage needed to jump the gap on a spark plug so if the motor is in good tune I would use the GM tach drive distributor and keep the original parts.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Any one using MSD

Inclined to agree here as well. Unless you have the MSD parts on hand, or can come by them for a steal of a price, I'd save my money. I use Pertronix II w/ their flamethrower with 12v input (jumpered ballast), and mine revs freely to and beyond the red line (scary). A BIG improvement over points and better than my previous Prestolite and Pertronix l systems. We're talking $150. max for parts.

My original distributor also has a Dyna-Flite ball bearing plate in it that I installed many years ago (no longer available) and a B28 VAC.

I am very satisfied with this setup, and I've played with a number of aftermarket units over the years including "W & H Dual Coil".

Stu Fox

[Wayne P.]

Re: Any one using MSD

Thanks I am using a product called breakerless points.

[Joe R.]

Re: Any one using MSD

Wayne,

Here's a thread I started a while back that is in the neighborhood:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...66189&uid=5236

I think I will go with the MSD 6AL because it has a rev limiter. I'm undecided on the distributor, coil and wires. You can get it as a kit from Summit Racing (and probably others).

Joe

[Thomas B.]

Re: Any one using MSD

Yes. On my '66. It is a matching #'s driver. Yes, Kettering ignition can work great, and yes I understand FMEA is a walk home, but I'm happy I went this way. And yes, heresy for people that hate computers in their cars.

8572 (tach drive) Distributor with vacuum advance and a 6AL-2 (6530) digital programmable controller. I saved the origional distributor to go back. I can change everything out, splash shield included, in about 15 minutes

I mounted controller on a spare splash shield so as not to bugger anything expensive if / when I want to go back. You can put on an old style cap so you do not have to change wires.

I had been using a Mallory Unilite conversion, in my opinion (yes highly subjective and skewed by how much you pay) idles and performs better with the MSD throughout the RPM range.

So far it is bullet proof. Drove it through a torrential downpour (ask the MI chapter members about the drive to Paragon). No problems with placement of the controller.

Why did I do it? With the 6530 I locked down the mechanical advance and programmed in the advance curve usign my laptop. I like the complete control I have and real time feedback in settign the advance curve. Yes, you also program rev limit.

[Duke W.]

Re: Any one using MSD

Most distributors have seen nothing but occasional new points and condenser and maybe a cap and rotor since they left St. Louis, and most that left there had sloppy end play.

So most could use a decent overhaul, and when you "blueprint" it in the process my experinence is that the single point system with breaker arm tension suitable to the engine's rev range will perform for thousands of miles and year to come.

There's nothing fundamentally "wrong" with the design of the single point system, but most were assembled somewhat indifferently and most are in need of some TLC.

Why spend the money on a new system, and why replace the mechanical switch with an electronic switch than can fail without warning?

If the system degrades it will usually give you some warning, and if you have a spare set of point you can usually get home before it totally craps out.

Duke

[George J.]

Re: Any one using MSD

Duke,
for the same reasons we should junk our mechanical f.i. units and go to electronic injection.
Right.

George

[Thomas B.]

Re: Any one using MSD

George:
Yeah that FI swap is working good for me also - let me tell you about it .....


No shame on me for responding to initial question, that does not belong on this board. Forgot where I was for a moment.

Tom

[George J.]

Re: Any one using MSD

George:
Yeah that FI swap is working good for me also - let me tell you about it .....


No shame on me for responding to initial question, that does not belong on this board. Forgot where I was for a moment.

Tom

Tom,
I didn't mean to offend you. I just don't understand why so many people use these systems when I have not had any trouble with points. I apologize.

George

[R N.]

Re: Any one using MSD

MSD = Multiple Spark Disappointment

[Duke W.]

Re: Any one using MSD

I've said this all before, but CD ignitions are not a very good choice for a road car, and no OE uses the type. All OE system are inductive because inductive systems offer a much longer spark duration, which provides more reliable ignition for lean, low density mixtures, which is what you have most of the time in the road driving environment. CD systems are fine for race cars that run WOT most of the time.

The old GM CD system had a spark duration of about 200 microseconds, and it was only in production for a couple of years. The single point system spark duration is about 1200 microseconds.

MSD systems offer multiple sparks at low revs, but if the first one doesn't light the fire, subsequent sparks are retarded.

For road driving environments, you want a long duration spark to ensure that the fire gets lit 100 percent of the time, so inductive systems are, by far, the best choice.

Duke

[Ken P.]

Re: Any one using MSD

I put a Mallory Unilite with tach drive on my 72 LT-1 and just love it. It hides under the factory shielding and runs like a dream.

[Michael F.]

Re: Any one using MSD

Inclined to agree here as well. Unless you have the MSD parts on hand, or can come by them for a steal of a price, I'd save my money. I use Pertronix II w/ their flamethrower with 12v input (jumpered ballast), and mine revs freely to and beyond the red line (scary). A BIG improvement over points and better than my previous Prestolite and Pertronix l systems. We're talking $150. max for parts.

My original distributor also has a Dyna-Flite ball bearing plate in it that I installed many years ago (no longer available) and a B28 VAC.

I am very satisfied with this setup, and I've played with a number of aftermarket units over the years including "W & H Dual Coil".

Stu Fox

I run the pertronix II also. But I have gone through two flamethrower coils. 1 solid, 1 oil,. They overheat and crack open in only a few minutes. I thought I may have other issues. But my old factory coil doesn't skip a beat. Runs great!

The word is,the Flamethrower coils have quality issues.

[Gary K.]

Re: Any one using MSD

Pertronix II w/Flamethrower coil & Moroso Bluemax wires: no problems, it's absolutely lit up this motor (454) and everything hides inside the original distributor & chrome box beautifully. Plus we're talking 150 bucks.