msd 6a

syclownz

syclownz

New member
How many of you guys are using an MSD box? Is it important to have one if you are modded? Mine just blew up and almost started a fire in my ty. No burnt or melted wires because it was contained inside the box but it definitely scared the crap out of me. Lots of smoke but no damage.

I'm going to wire the truck without the 6a to see if it was my problem all along.

Another thing is that at idle my battery (new as of DEC.) was over-charging to 16.7x volts and would not hold a charge for 24 hours. My alternator was right at 14.3x volts. MSD took a crap right after I turned the truck off. Yanked the MSD and my battery seems to be holding a charge now. I have yet to turn the truck back on because I'm still trying to figure out how to wire the coil without the MSD. Trying to find a diagram for that.
 
Neelsonwheels

Neelsonwheels

Donating Member
Re: msd 6a

Should be able to get the shcematic for wiring off the MSD web site for the 6a and figure it out from there. It isn't that bad. My 6a took a crap on me last year and I just put a new one in and had no issues. Alot of guys on the site like the Mallory box better. Hotter spark lets you open up the gap on the plugs and lessons the chance of blowing out the spark under high boost.
Good luck
 
gkrcr882

gkrcr882

SyTyless......for now!
Re: msd 6a

IIRC there is a plug and play harness MSD sells that makes putting them in foolproof. I've heard of them crapping out but never seen one actually do it. I've also heard a lot of good things about them.
 
Flyin Ryan

Flyin Ryan

hated cuz he drives fords
Re: msd 6a

I had two die in a mustang of mine and stopped using them. It's actually pretty common with them from what i've seen "May Suddenly Die"
 
SY2455

SY2455

70's Veteran
Re: msd 6a

I have use the MSD 6A for years now with no trouble. When I put it on the truck I gain about 3.5 mpg HWY.
 
Icarus-54

Icarus-54

Donating Old Member
Re: msd 6a

I had 2 crap out on me,been using a Mallory for the last 3 yrs. with no problems.
 
M

MIXEDBREED

New member
Re: msd 6a

syclownz said:
How many of you guys are using an MSD box? Is it important to have one if you are modded? Mine just blew up and almost started a fire in my ty. No burnt or melted wires because it was contained inside the box but it definitely scared the crap out of me. Lots of smoke but no damage.

I'm going to wire the truck without the 6a to see if it was my problem all along.

Another thing is that at idle my battery (new as of DEC.) was over-charging to 16.7x volts and would not hold a charge for 24 hours. My alternator was right at 14.3x volts. MSD took a crap right after I turned the truck off. Yanked the MSD and my battery seems to be holding a charge now. I have yet to turn the truck back on because I'm still trying to figure out how to wire the coil without the MSD. Trying to find a diagram for that.
Click to expand...

Not sure if it is a must. I have ran 9.7 and 9.4 with stock ing. and many have gone faster. Now in a syty I am not sure but I will be running my new setup for awhile with no msd. I may drop one in later just to have the two step. They make the boxes now with the two step built in them.
 
syclownz

syclownz

New member
Re: msd 6a

Okay, so I figured out how to wire the truck without the MSD. I guess I'm right because the truck turns on. My battery is back to holding a charge and sits at 14.4 volts in idle and my alternator sits at 14.5 volts in idle. While in idle I have a very rough idle and my tach needle is jumping from 0-2000 rpms. Can someone please explain the needle?
View My Video

Also, while in idle I plugged off the map vacuum line and the truck smoothed out a bit. Enough to notice a change. Is that normal or is the map going out?

Thank you for your response.

Sorry, the needle is a little tough to see. Pretty sunny over here.
 
Don W.

Don W.

Stab it and steer it
Re: msd 6a

I think you have something else wrong. Check timing, vac leaks, fuel pressure. All the usual suspects.

Unless you have big injs or other mods go back to the stock chip and MAP and see what happens.

Based on the vid my :2cents: is ign first. Timing, wires, plugs...
 
syclownz

syclownz

New member
Re: msd 6a

Don W. said:
I think you have something else wrong. Check timing, vac leaks, fuel pressure. All the usual suspects.

Unless you have big injs or other mods go back to the stock chip and MAP and see what happens.

Based on the vid my :2cents: is ign first. Timing, wires, plugs...
Click to expand...

50#ers. I was under the impression that I couldn't go back to the stock chip and map because I am using a 412 cam. I will check plugs and timing and stuff. Thanks.
 
Don W.

Don W.

Stab it and steer it
Re: msd 6a

syclownz said:
50#ers. I was under the impression that I couldn't go back to the stock chip and map because I am using a 412 cam. I will check plugs and timing and stuff. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I would guess that just for testing the cam wouldn't matter but the 50#ers will. The chip and inj's must "match."

How well does it run once you come off idle? Does it smooth out at that point? Do you have a DM file?
 
syclownz

syclownz

New member
Re: msd 6a

Don W. said:
I would guess that just for testing the cam wouldn't matter but the 50#ers will. The chip and inj's must "match."

How well does it run once you come off idle? Does it smooth out at that point? Do you have a DM file?
Click to expand...

No DM. I did drive it before I took the video and it was jerking like it wanted to stall out but never did. It stayed on surprisingly.

I also have the Ultimate chip which I also think may be bad. So once again I will need to try to get a stock chip, stock injectors and stock map.
 
Don W.

Don W.

Stab it and steer it
Re: msd 6a

DataMaster is free for the first 10 (or whatever) logs. You will need a laptop and a cable though. Might be easier than tracking down the other pieces.
 
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syclownz

syclownz

New member
Re: msd 6a

So I will look into getting a laptop. Thank you for all of your responses to point me in the right direction.
 
Couger1968

Couger1968

Dazed and Confused
Re: msd 6a

syclownz said:
No DM. I did drive it before I took the video and it was jerking like it wanted to stall out but never did. It stayed on surprisingly.

I also have the Ultimate chip which I also think may be bad. So once again I will need to try to get a stock chip, stock injectors and stock map.
Click to expand...

How does the ultimate work with the 412 was it a custom? I know you could get one for 50# ,but I didn't know you could get one for that cam. I have had a 6a for years and it never caused any trouble.
 
syclownz

syclownz

New member
Re: msd 6a

Couger1968 said:
How does the ultimate work with the 412 was it a custom? I know you could get one for 50# ,but I didn't know you could get one for that cam. I have had a 6a for years and it never caused any trouble.
Click to expand...

I think the ultimate works pretty well with the 412 (Crane cam). Not so well right now though but only because I have no idea what is wrong with my truck. Truck came with Ultimate and the Crane cam so not sure if any of it was custom. If that answers your (?)
 
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