MSD question
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From: Casa Grande
MSD question
Well doesn't seem like I'm having any luck finding the harness or parts to convert my 85 300 to DSII so thinking about going with MSD. My question is, which one should I use. They make several different models. Just want to get it running good again and tired of problems with the feedback system.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Sanford, NC
An MSD 6A should work good on your engine. I have one on my 1981 and it has worked
great for many years. I think they should have a harness that will hook up the unit to
your distributor. Check their website for what they offer for your application.
great for many years. I think they should have a harness that will hook up the unit to
your distributor. Check their website for what they offer for your application.
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From: Virginia
1. You will need a new or different distributor, no way around it. Your stock dist has no timing control inside it at all(no vacuum advance and no advance weights).
2. This leaves you wide open to many many choices;
A. DSII dist and module box. You need a DSII dist for a six cylinder, but the wiring and module can come from an Ford/Lincoln/Mercury car or truck.
B. You could get a old six cylinder points distributor, and put a pertronix module inside it.
C. You can get a all-in-one single wire HEI off ebay or someone else and drop it in.
D. You can get a MSD dist and use the MSD box, or you can get a points or DSII dist and use it to drive the MSD box.
2. This leaves you wide open to many many choices;
A. DSII dist and module box. You need a DSII dist for a six cylinder, but the wiring and module can come from an Ford/Lincoln/Mercury car or truck.
B. You could get a old six cylinder points distributor, and put a pertronix module inside it.
C. You can get a all-in-one single wire HEI off ebay or someone else and drop it in.
D. You can get a MSD dist and use the MSD box, or you can get a points or DSII dist and use it to drive the MSD box.
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From: Casa Grande
Thanks for the replies I wanted to go with the DS II but that's just not happening. Very limited around here, only 1 junkyard. So looking at doing the MSD or DUI. The MSD Street Fire and new/rebuilt DSII dist are a little cheaper but, love the 1 wire idea to. So, doing this leaves me with no input for the oil pressure and water temp, if I understand it right. Can I just single out the wires for them and run them through the dsII harness? Sorry to be such a pain in the rear with all the questions. I've read thru all I can find on here, and other sites, but still don't have a great understanding of it.
Keith
Keith
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From: Casa Grande
Well it "looks" like the water temp and oil pressure leads run thought the harness that the current system uses. And when the current dist and wiring harness is removed those will be gone to. I suspect the DSII harness has the wires for them but I do not have that harness. So can they be ran direct or do they require the control module or computer to run the gauges?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Florence, SC
Originally Posted by kedwinh
Well it "looks" like the water temp and oil pressure leads run thought the harness that the current system uses. And when the current dist and wiring harness is removed those will be gone to. I suspect the DSII harness has the wires for them but I do not have that harness. So can they be ran direct or do they require the control module or computer to run the gauges?
You are wise to avoid the cheap Chinese HEI junk found on Ebay like Pro-Comp and Skip White. Although overkill, The MSD and DUI are both good choices if you like the one-wire deal. Between the two, I would go with the DUI.
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From: Casa Grande
Thanks Lariat. Kind of figured it was wired that way. So, can I just run wires from the senders to the gauges or do they have to go thru the control box or computer?
Don't get me wrong, I would much rather do the DSII. Not only is it cheaper but it would keep it all Ford. But having looked with no luck it looks like I am going to have to find another route.
Don't get me wrong, I would much rather do the DSII. Not only is it cheaper but it would keep it all Ford. But having looked with no luck it looks like I am going to have to find another route.
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From: Virginia
There is nothing wrong with unplugging something and neatly laying the plug over to the side taped to the harness.
We have had several guys on here that have "cleaned up" their wiring because they could not stand plugs laying around with nothing to go to, and then they come on here and can't get the truck to run. There is no way to figure out what they have done when they have taken the whole harness apart and have taken wires out that they "thought" they knew what they were for or they "thought" they didn't do anything.
Unplug your old dist, drop your new one in place, and run one new large 12 gauge wire from the ignition switch or the fuse box, to serve the new ignition. Leave everything else as is.
We have had several guys on here that have "cleaned up" their wiring because they could not stand plugs laying around with nothing to go to, and then they come on here and can't get the truck to run. There is no way to figure out what they have done when they have taken the whole harness apart and have taken wires out that they "thought" they knew what they were for or they "thought" they didn't do anything.
Unplug your old dist, drop your new one in place, and run one new large 12 gauge wire from the ignition switch or the fuse box, to serve the new ignition. Leave everything else as is.
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From: Casa Grande
Well just couldn't talk myself into doing it so, spent a couple days replacing vacuum lines and checking things out. Decided if I couldn't do the DSII I'd just have to make this one work. After checking the codes and checking for more vacuum leaks it seems like I'm going to need a MAP sensor and PIP module. And there seems to be a blown intake gasket on cylinder #2. But all in all it beats the options I have available. I do however have to admit I was kind of looking forward to the better intake/exhaust and carb but maybe later.
Thanks everyone for the help.
Thanks everyone for the help.
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OrangeJuice
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Aug 30, 2010 07:45 AM
