Fried MSD 6A
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,177
Likes: 377
From: Near Los Angeles
I tried to make the best decision for quality and longevity. I couldn't see sending my unit to msd because I didn't feel I would be getting a long-lasting product. Maybe I was wrong. I tried to compare the output of the boxes to get comparable to the msd since I enjoyed the pep it supplied.
I chose the Summit #850611. It seemed a step up from the msd 6a. It was easy to install--once I opened up the distributor and traced the wires, and determined the colors of 40+ year-old wires.
But I was a bit disappointed with the performance. The pep from a stop is not quite there; not quite equal to that of the msd box. I find that surprising since all the numbers, spark, volts, etc., were greater than the msd box, and yet.... But my knowledge of electrical components is limited.
Now that I have tried it, and feel disappointed, I am considering having the msd box rebuilt.
I chose the Summit #850611. It seemed a step up from the msd 6a. It was easy to install--once I opened up the distributor and traced the wires, and determined the colors of 40+ year-old wires.
But I was a bit disappointed with the performance. The pep from a stop is not quite there; not quite equal to that of the msd box. I find that surprising since all the numbers, spark, volts, etc., were greater than the msd box, and yet.... But my knowledge of electrical components is limited.
Now that I have tried it, and feel disappointed, I am considering having the msd box rebuilt.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 6,801
Likes: 7
From: DFW, TX-GoldCanyon, AZ
F - I'd put a timing light on your engine before I did anything else.
It may be that the new box is delayed a couple degrees.. Shouldn't be, but you won't know until you take a look.. ��
It may be that the new box is delayed a couple degrees.. Shouldn't be, but you won't know until you take a look.. ��
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,177
Likes: 377
From: Near Los Angeles
Well, I called Summit and spoke to a tech guy. He said to ground to the battery -, which is eight feet of wire away, instead of directly to the frame, two feet of wire from box, as I now have it. I'm skeptical, but okay. He also said to upgrade my coil from the old 1990's msd to a new one to get double the spark. Yeps, 'double the spark.'
BigFoot: Good idea with the timing light. I didn't think of that. Thanks.
BigFoot: Good idea with the timing light. I didn't think of that. Thanks.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,477
Likes: 19
From: Sheffield, AL
F-250 restorer, I am sure I am "preaching to the choir", as you are very knowledgeable, but make very certain the two signal wires from the distributor to the ignition box have not been crossed. It makes a huge difference... don't ask me how I know? 
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 6,801
Likes: 7
From: DFW, TX-GoldCanyon, AZ
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,177
Likes: 377
From: Near Los Angeles
Now I shall check it again. And the timing too. I forgot to do that today. Thanks guys.
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,177
Likes: 377
From: Near Los Angeles
This is very interesting. Today I put a timing light on it. I'm showing an advance so great that it is sitting at the edge of the scale, and it wants more advance. And set there it runs sluggish, as though retarded. Starter does not kick.
I had it set at 8* advanced prior to the install.
If I invert the wires (as instructions call for) I have to advance it about 10 degrees just to get it to run. And then the light shows it is at the far end of the retarded scale. Either way I hook up the wires it wants more advance. I'm baffled.
Anyone got a hunch?
I had it set at 8* advanced prior to the install.
If I invert the wires (as instructions call for) I have to advance it about 10 degrees just to get it to run. And then the light shows it is at the far end of the retarded scale. Either way I hook up the wires it wants more advance. I'm baffled.
Anyone got a hunch?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 6,801
Likes: 7
From: DFW, TX-GoldCanyon, AZ
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,177
Likes: 377
From: Near Los Angeles
Lol, it would explain a lot if I didn't, uh? That was the first thing I did. Setting it to 6 cyl mode meant cutting one wire.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 6,801
Likes: 7
From: DFW, TX-GoldCanyon, AZ
Hmmmm......
Okay so now I'm wondering about your distributor....
Is it a Duraspark dizzy that you are running as just a Hall effect unit or are you running through an ignition amplifier or ??
I have used Durasparks, but until I braided in a ground wire along with the two HE wires, I had a flakey startup..
Okay so now I'm wondering about your distributor....
Is it a Duraspark dizzy that you are running as just a Hall effect unit or are you running through an ignition amplifier or ??
I have used Durasparks, but until I braided in a ground wire along with the two HE wires, I had a flakey startup..
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,177
Likes: 377
From: Near Los Angeles
Hmmmm......
Okay so now I'm wondering about your distributor....
Is it a Duraspark dizzy that you are running as just a Hall effect unit or are you running through an ignition amplifier or ??
I have used Durasparks, but until I braided in a ground wire along with the two HE wires, I had a flakey startup..
Okay so now I'm wondering about your distributor....
Is it a Duraspark dizzy that you are running as just a Hall effect unit or are you running through an ignition amplifier or ??
I have used Durasparks, but until I braided in a ground wire along with the two HE wires, I had a flakey startup..
I think I will tinker a bit more, and if I can't sort it out, I'm shipping it back to Summit and am going to refurbish the MSD. Enough. This is supposed to be better than a msd? uh-huh.
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,177
Likes: 377
From: Near Los Angeles
All in all, I'm disappointed in the Summit box. There only a slight difference over the GM 4 pin module. And is it quite bit below, performance wise, the MSD 6A.
I am sending it back for a refund, and will ship my 6A to MSD for a rebuild.
I am sending it back for a refund, and will ship my 6A to MSD for a rebuild.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 6,801
Likes: 7
From: DFW, TX-GoldCanyon, AZ
Let us know how the refurb works out with MSD.
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,177
Likes: 377
From: Near Los Angeles
I will let you know how the MSD turns out. Y'know, I just really like the MSD. This unit was supposed to be (by the numbers) a better unit. I'm baffled. Oh well, back to being happy with the MSD.
I'm tempted to try that mopar module I posted about.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
F-250 restorer
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Jun 30, 2017 10:06 AM