MSD Complete set up?
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 5
From: Southern California
MSD Complete set up?
Ok been needing to replace the old distributer (no points) and get something a little more powerful and everyone keeps saying MSD. So thats where im looking right now.
So to make a long story short, whats the best set up for a 390 with mild racing cam? Idk if the cam makes a difference or not but i need a nice performance dist.
MSD Ignition
So to make a long story short, whats the best set up for a 390 with mild racing cam? Idk if the cam makes a difference or not but i need a nice performance dist.
MSD Ignition
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
i just ditched my msd for a dui. and noticed quite a big difference over the msd!
was msd 8595, 6al, blaster 2, and msd superconducter wires.
now dui stand alone dizzy, and same wires and plugs. same timing curves, but better low end...
only bad thing w/ the dui (other than being a gm design) its not as clean, ugly compared to msd's design... the clear cap dosent quite make up for the bulky design...
i had problems w/ moister corroding things in the msd, and advance springs binding w/ the weights... keep spair springs w/ truck,maby small pliers to reshape the springs from binding on the weights and allowing the advance to stick open...
took a couple years before my problems started, and my new replacement springs required bending to clear advance weights..
if you go msd and msd box good chance need colder plugs too, but every engine is different
was msd 8595, 6al, blaster 2, and msd superconducter wires.
now dui stand alone dizzy, and same wires and plugs. same timing curves, but better low end...
only bad thing w/ the dui (other than being a gm design) its not as clean, ugly compared to msd's design... the clear cap dosent quite make up for the bulky design...
i had problems w/ moister corroding things in the msd, and advance springs binding w/ the weights... keep spair springs w/ truck,maby small pliers to reshape the springs from binding on the weights and allowing the advance to stick open...
took a couple years before my problems started, and my new replacement springs required bending to clear advance weights..
if you go msd and msd box good chance need colder plugs too, but every engine is different
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 604
Likes: 4
From: Antioch, CA
It seems like everyone has their preferance when it comes to ignition setups. I have the complete MSD setup and I love it. Ive had it for almost 4 years now after all my stock stuff was failing. Plus living in California it was all smog legal.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 5
From: Southern California
Do you remember what item/part numbers your set up was?
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 604
Likes: 4
From: Antioch, CA
Couldnt tell you the model # on the pro billet distributor, I dont have the 390. But they should make one for the 390 just check summit. Ignition box is the 6A model and then a blaster coil and the plug wires.
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 5
From: Southern California
Mkay so on the MSD web page i can put in my make model and year and block size and it gives me the options for what to get. It seems as if the 74 and 76 390 coils are different and im about to check the 6amp thing to see if they are the same. Found that to be weird, why would a 74 be different then a 76 390?
See if these work...
http://www.msdignition.com/appguidedomestic.aspx
http://www.msdignition.com/appguidedomestic.aspx
Also is getting a distributer without the vacume advance an option?
See if these work...
http://www.msdignition.com/appguidedomestic.aspx
http://www.msdignition.com/appguidedomestic.aspx
Also is getting a distributer without the vacume advance an option?
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 5
From: Southern California
If i go with MSD, can I use any spark plug wires or do i have to use the MSD ones? Because i was going to use these if possible
Ford Racing M-12259-T462 - Ford Racing Spark Plug Wire Sets - Overview - SummitRacing.com
Ford Racing M-12259-T462 - Ford Racing Spark Plug Wire Sets - Overview - SummitRacing.com
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 42
From: Michigan
The guy that built my 390 used the pro-billit dizzy, 6al box, blaster coil, and ford racing wires. It only has been broken in and dyno tested so far, but ran great. Medical issues have brought my build to a halt for now.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 5
From: Southern California
So it is possible i can use whatever then? Because look closely at the part that goes on the cap itself not the plug, it seems to have a clip on the FORD RACING WIRES....?
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 654
Likes: 2
From: The Lone Star State
Have you considered using a Pertronix conversion to get rid of the points? If your distributor is not worn out, this might be much cheaper and easier to install and delivers good results.
Ignitor II
Ignitor II
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 5
From: Southern California
Have you considered using a Pertronix conversion to get rid of the points? If your distributor is not worn out, this might be much cheaper and easier to install and delivers good results.
Ignitor II
Ignitor II
I dont have points
Haha someone already switched it out but yea this thing is still shot, time for a serious upgrade to go with everything else
Freshman User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
After having vibration troubles with MSD stuff I switched over to the Crane Fireball ignition with their E Core coil. I used a duraspark distributor that I recurred to my engine needs and run Magnecor plug wires. It's a hot ignition and works real well for me. The advance curve made the best overall driving difference.