Electronic timing

[BPWilliams]

Well, Blew up another Mallory distributor coming home from the x-mass party! This is the third time in two years, I just don't think the design is up to the task....
I think the problem is in the mechanical advance I am running 14 initial and 36 max, the dist breaks off the stop tabs and then everything goes to pieces.

Question: has anybody used the MSD timing electronics? they allow you to lock your distributor solid and electronically set your timing curve. I think this might be my next step but wanted some feed back before putting out the cash for one... Please let me know if you have one, which one, and how it works.

Thanks,

[BFBurk]

I have an MSD programmable timing computer#8981 on my 427 Sideoiler. I have had it on my ERA for about 12 years and it works great. I pinned my distributor advance and installed the timing computer. You have to set the distributor for the total advance you want. The timing computer will retard your timing from the distributor setting by looking at your engines RPM's and the settings you have on the timing computer;Initial timing, RPM and slope potentiometers. I set the initial timing for full advance when starting and when I want to drive around town because it seems to improve the idle quality. If I want to get on it I set the initial advance like you do to around 12 to 14 degrees . I think you can only get a total of 20 degrees total electronic advance on a V8 with this timing computer. You need something to generate a trigger so you need a crank trigger or a distributor that is reliable to be part of the system. I use the distributor that was on the sideoiler when I bought it. . MSD may have a newer system now. Good luck!

[vettestr]

Hey Brian,
I am sold on the potentials and variables offered by MSD. We have used them in blown alky race engines and is the standard for the computer racers in Comp Elim. classes for drag racing (7AL) . More than I think you want but they have every concept covered. I am not a Mallory fan at all for products being sold today. They were good units in the old days but MSD has taken the market for my 2 cents. You can not run computers to control your ET but simple rev limiters and shift points are allowed.... a real joke from old school point of view. If you control RPM limit and curves or way they are dropped you can control a run to the 1/100th time and time again with little else to change your ET.... It IS A COMPUTER but this is what keeps the field of 16 cars within a 1/10th from hi to low spread.
I have had MSD failures but less than other brands and if electronic and bounced around it is going to fail once in a while in severe conditions. Street use is much kinder to everything.

[BPWilliams]

Thanks for the input..

Yes I agree the Mallory distributor is a piece of junk (so is their service dept.), but it is the only one that provides the clearance needed for my hood. I think I am looking at a simple (if there is one) unit to control the retard of the timing. I am running a MSD 6AL and think I just need the unit to retard from full timing, 36 degrees right? I would like to be able to adjust it back down to the 14 initial if possible... and set the curve to be full in at 2.75K RPM when my cam kicks in...

Brian

[vettestr]

Brian,
Give me a call direct at 602 402 8504 about your Mallory distrib. I no longer have my Sun distrib machine but that is not an issue. I have repaired a few Mallory's in the day and would be happy to help.
I will also bet we can fix the issue so it will not return, what the heck nothing to loose. Do we need to repair first or is there any warr. left?
Jeff C

[Fitz]

Clearance, you don't need no stinking clearance.....Just have it sticking out .....crank destributor....I had that one once before shall we say testing the automobile ??>XZ/?

[JB34]

Gee, I don't know what all the fuss is about Brian. When I drove it...it worked GREAT!

I would, however, suggest that you do something about that transmission. 4th gear is a bit knotchy and it is kind of embarrassing when it grinds. Please fix that cause I don't want people to think I'm a bad driver.

[JustOne]

Brian,
I am running an MSD Digital 6, with the timing locked out. I just set the timing where I want it, 30 degrees, and leave it there. The Digital 6 has a start retard, so I can pull 20 degrees out at startup and all is well.

Justin

[mikiec]

Brian...

Please do not let JB drive your car any more. It would look funny with all those lips on it.

Mike

[BPWilliams]

OK here are some pictures, and I think that I am going to use the MSD-8983 it looks like it will do the job well...

[ItBites]

Brian,

I also use the MSD stand-alone timing computer. I use an MSD locked out for spark distribution and trigger, but the timing is handled by the 'puter. Works great.

I have the manual if you want to look over how the controls work... Call if you still need talked into this upgrade!