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.
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #732, 428FE (447 CID), TKO600, Solid Flat Tappet Cam, Tons of Aluminum
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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.
Cobra Make, Engine: Time Machines Motorsports LLC- Superformance Dealer
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Quote:
Originally Posted by patrickt
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.
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Cobra Make, Engine: 427 Unique Roadster, FE by FE Specialties, 470hp, Top Loader, 3:31 Jag
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Quote:
Originally Posted by patrickt
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)?
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #732, 428FE (447 CID), TKO600, Solid Flat Tappet Cam, Tons of Aluminum
Posts: 21,897
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pgermond
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.
Cobra Make, Engine: 427 Unique Roadster, FE by FE Specialties, 470hp, Top Loader, 3:31 Jag
Posts: 1,716
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Quote:
Originally Posted by patrickt
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!
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.
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.
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Looking for MSD alternative
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