MSD ignition
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New User
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Pullman, Wa
MSD ignition
Hey guys, I gotta 79 f150 with a semi-built 400m. nothin crazy, but it don't have a problem gettin down the road. I wanna get a few more ponies, so I was thinking about putting an MSD ignition/distributor/coil on it. I was wondering if it really made enough difference to make it worth it.
Also, I wanna eliminate the motor-driven fan and water pump and replace with an electric fan and water pump. I was told you can gain up to 25 hp with this.
True or False?
Also, I wanna eliminate the motor-driven fan and water pump and replace with an electric fan and water pump. I was told you can gain up to 25 hp with this.
True or False?
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,240
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From: Chino Hills
The MSD doesn't really add any HP unless your system is seriously weak, but it does drivibility plus cold morning starts.
Do the electric fans, but do not do the electric water pump. They are not rated for continual use. If you want a bit more try to source some under drive pulleys.
Do the electric fans, but do not do the electric water pump. They are not rated for continual use. If you want a bit more try to source some under drive pulleys.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,069
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save your self a bunch of $ and go with and hei dizzy just as good or better 1 wire hook up all the brain box and wireing gone i run and elictric fan on my 501 does alright but make sure you use 40 amp relays and keep an eye on them! my 30 amper burnt up almost causeing an over heat situation and make sure you have an over ride switch installed on seperate relays as a back up electric water pump as abouv
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2009
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its not worth a bit of horsepower.
Furthermore, MSD distributors use duraspark guts (even on Chevy, Dodge etc distributors) so as long as youre keeping the vacuum advance theres no point buying a distributor.
I hate seeing people suggest HEI distributors because everyone looks for the cheapest route and that is always ends up being the POS Chinese Pro-comp knockoff HEI found on EBAY for less than $100. If you just have to have an HEI and cant afford a DUI distributor save your pennies until you can...otherwise youre wasting your time. HEIs are 1 wire, Durasparks with a MSD is only 2 plus the coil wires so theres no real benefit to me. The off brand HEIs will spark scatter between 4500-5000rpm and a notorious for skipping time and burning up coils prematurely. It MAY be ok for an around town grocery getter but Ive seen too many fail in race/offroad trucks to ever consider one.
IF you dont already have a 4bbl intake, carb and headers Id spend my money there first. Next would be a little better cam. $500 will go a long way on this engine.
Furthermore, MSD distributors use duraspark guts (even on Chevy, Dodge etc distributors) so as long as youre keeping the vacuum advance theres no point buying a distributor.
I hate seeing people suggest HEI distributors because everyone looks for the cheapest route and that is always ends up being the POS Chinese Pro-comp knockoff HEI found on EBAY for less than $100. If you just have to have an HEI and cant afford a DUI distributor save your pennies until you can...otherwise youre wasting your time. HEIs are 1 wire, Durasparks with a MSD is only 2 plus the coil wires so theres no real benefit to me. The off brand HEIs will spark scatter between 4500-5000rpm and a notorious for skipping time and burning up coils prematurely. It MAY be ok for an around town grocery getter but Ive seen too many fail in race/offroad trucks to ever consider one.
IF you dont already have a 4bbl intake, carb and headers Id spend my money there first. Next would be a little better cam. $500 will go a long way on this engine.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 264
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From: Bozeman, MT
I disagree with the MSD bashing. I have a box coil and distributor, and the difference is night and day. My pickup starts better then it ever has and is much more responsive. I dunno if its worth droppin $500 on, but my dizzy was goin out and I just bit the bullet and bought MSD. I am glad I did and am completely sold on them!
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
If you have a stock Duraspark setup, which would be the case for a '79, then it's not worth your time and money if your stock ignition system is otherwise healthy.
For a given plug gap, it takes a specific range of secondary voltage to get the spark to jump. And that's just what the Duraspark setup does.
For a given plug gap, it takes a specific range of secondary voltage to get the spark to jump. And that's just what the Duraspark setup does.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2007
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i wasnt bashing any thing alls i was suggesting was another option and thats funny as i run those "cheapie dist" that was mentioned in all my 460s and my built 501 and i can run 6250 redline all day long with no problems when i received the 1st one i compared it to an original gm dist and didnt find one bit of differnce other that the rotor that i replaced with the gm part as it had the metal tab epoxied and not a snap in peice that they use there is better and worse systems out there and the hei has being around for decades,proven,and reliable and i dont think there is a ford owner that can honestly say they havnt ever had trouble with their motor idleing on a wet day that was one of the reasons i switched over
just my opinion thats all
just my opinion thats all
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MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
HEI and Duraspark use the same technology, by the way.
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