- - Looking for MSD alternative
(http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/ignition/141250-looking-msd-alternative.html)
pgermond
07-26-2018 06:34 PM
Looking for MSD alternative
Does anyone have a suggestion for an MSD ignition system replacement. I've had way to many failures and I'm ready for a change.
Sawdust
07-27-2018 07:19 AM
Phil
One option for you is Crane Ignition boxes. I got rid of my MSD box a long time ago and have installed the Crane unit and have had 4 years of trouble free driving.
There are zillions of MSD boxes on the road, many of them have worked flawlessly for decades. Many, many of the reported failures can be traced to 1) incorrect wiring of the main RED and BLACK wires; and 2) failure to use the recommended high-farad capacitor. The latter not only buffers your DC voltage surges but cleans leaking AC coming from your alternator.
Stock distribitor (385) and Duraspark box. Not a darn thing wrong with 'em. Pulled from 100k+ donor and now 65k in my car. Lube advance plate once in a while and one new cap and rotor (wanted a black cap not blue) No drama. Big fat spark and goes to six grand that I know of.
Mark IV
07-27-2018 04:05 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by patrickt
(Post 1448751)
There are zillions of MSD boxes on the road, many of them have worked flawlessly for decades. Many, many of the reported failures can be traced to 1) incorrect wiring of the main RED and BLACK wires; and 2) failure to use the recommended high-farad capacitor. The latter not only buffers your DC voltage surges but cleans leaking AC coming from your alternator.
A really good, direct ground is also needed, however there HAS been a decline in the quality of products from MSD as most are sublet manufactured in "Gyna" like the Donald's clothes line.
Jim Vander Wal
07-27-2018 04:26 PM
I had great luck with a Crane HI-6 box. It's still on the road after 12-13 years.
Jim
pgermond
07-27-2018 06:10 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by patrickt
(Post 1448751)
There are zillions of MSD boxes on the road, many of them have worked flawlessly for decades. Many, many of the reported failures can be traced to 1) incorrect wiring of the main RED and BLACK wires; and 2) failure to use the recommended high-farad capacitor. The latter not only buffers your DC voltage surges but cleans leaking AC coming from your alternator.
Patrick,
I've never heard of this capacitor being recommended. Looks like it cleans the dc voltage and eliminates noise. I don't have a radio, so noise isn't an issue. Will this help eliminate mag pick-up failures (I've had two), blown coil (literally), and MSD box failure (bit the dust after 15-yrs)?
patrickt
07-27-2018 06:39 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by pgermond
(Post 1448785)
Patrick,
I've never heard of this capacitor being recommended. Looks like it cleans the dc voltage and eliminates noise. I don't have a radio, so noise isn't an issue. Will this help eliminate mag pick-up failures (I've had two), blown coil (literally), and MSD box failure (bit the dust after 15-yrs)?
Remember that a capacitor will help suppress DC surges and make your "feeding voltage" more even and stable. Plus, a capacitor will filter out AC. If I put a volt meter and an oscilloscope on your car's electrical system, and I saw DC voltage swings of, say, 12.2vdc to 15.5vdc, and the scope shows AC current polluting the lines as well, then I would say "yeah, probably." The presence of AC is really one of those "gee, I would have never even thought of that" type conditions that can cause all sorts of goofy, hard to diagnose problems and failures with sensitive electronics. Here's a nice little video that outlines one.
pgermond
07-27-2018 06:48 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by patrickt
(Post 1448788)
Remember that a capacitor will help suppress DC surges and make your "feeding voltage" more even and stable. Plus, a capacitor will filter out AC. If I put a volt meter and an oscilloscope on your car's electrical system, and I saw DC voltage swings of, say, 12.2vdc to 15.5vdc, and the scope shows AC current polluting the lines as well, then I would say "yeah, probably." The presence of AC is really one of those "gee, I would have never even thought of that" type conditions that can cause all sorts of goofy, hard to diagnose problems and failures with sensitive electronics. Here's a nice little video that outlines one.
Thanks for the clarification. For $40-50, I'll give it a try (can't hurt). Thanks again Patrick!
tortuga
07-28-2018 07:31 AM
I see a lot of these under the hood exposed to a lot of heat and potential moisture? Seems like asking for trouble? Mines in the passenger footwell...
Joey.S
07-28-2018 06:17 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by pgermond
(Post 1448724)
Does anyone have a suggestion for an MSD ignition system replacement. I've had way to many failures and I'm ready for a change.
I have been using a pertronix ignitor 2 in my 65 t bird for 12 years so far so good and on my cobra I have running pertronix billet distributor with a ignitor 3 that has been working good for 5 years now. I like the idea of the 2 wire install very clean and simple. I do have a spare module just in case, I also run the pertronix ignition coil on both cars.
Joey.S
Rail1
07-28-2018 09:22 PM
pertronix here for years with no issues.
cycleguy55
07-29-2018 01:36 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by tortuga
(Post 1448803)
I see a lot of these under the hood exposed to a lot of heat and potential moisture? Seems like asking for trouble? Mines in the passenger footwell...
When my under-hood MSD 6AL failed I installed the replacement (Summit Racing box manufactured by MSD) under the dash. I also replaced the MSD Blaster oil-filled coil with the Summit epoxy-filled coil, and installed it on the firewall. Running an MSD billet distributor.
If I had to do it all over again I'd go with Pertronix.
