Fried MSD 6A
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,174
Likes: 377
From: Near Los Angeles
Fried MSD 6A
I've known for years that people reported the msd boxes going out randomly. I considered myself lucky it lasted 6+ years. And I don't mean it just poof died. I mean it was smoking and hot! When the engine died and I opened the hood to ck, there was no doubt as to why the engine died. There was smoke coming out of the msd box!
I had just diagnosed a leaking water pump, and thought a pulley had thrown coolant on some wires and shorted something, but found no evidence of that.
Now I drop down to my GM 4 pin until I decide what to do. I'm looking at a DUI. A new MSD is what, $200+? The DUI is $365?
I had just diagnosed a leaking water pump, and thought a pulley had thrown coolant on some wires and shorted something, but found no evidence of that.
Now I drop down to my GM 4 pin until I decide what to do. I'm looking at a DUI. A new MSD is what, $200+? The DUI is $365?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,477
Likes: 19
From: Sheffield, AL
I've known for years that people reported the msd boxes going out randomly. I considered myself lucky it lasted 6+ years. And I don't mean it just poof died. I mean it was smoking and hot! When the engine died and I opened the hood to ck, there was no doubt as to why the engine died. There was smoke coming out of the msd box!
I had just diagnosed a leaking water pump, and thought a pulley had thrown coolant on some wires and shorted something, but found no evidence of that.
Now I drop down to my GM 4 pin until I decide what to do. I'm looking at a DUI. A new MSD is what, $200+? The DUI is $365?
I had just diagnosed a leaking water pump, and thought a pulley had thrown coolant on some wires and shorted something, but found no evidence of that.
Now I drop down to my GM 4 pin until I decide what to do. I'm looking at a DUI. A new MSD is what, $200+? The DUI is $365?
And replacement GM 4 pin ignition module is ~$30.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 924
Likes: 1
I know the DUI distributor is pricey but it's well worth it. I bought mine from summit and it's night and day compared to the duraspark. Not ******* the duraspark system because I still have one on my f250 351w.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,174
Likes: 377
From: Near Los Angeles
I woke up in the middle of the night with the sudden realization of what caused the MSD to fry. Although I found no evidence of water hitting wiring or getting in the alt., water was dripping onto the pulleys. The belts were slipping. That means the alt was not spinning as it should, nor supplying the required amount of amperage to the msd. The slipping belt created a brown out! It fried with in 30 seconds of start! Wow.
Yes, I do (did) like the price of the gm 4 pin, but it is no where near the performance of the msd. As a back up, it's great.
DUI: Yes, I like the DUI's. Love the simplicity and how they clean up the wiring. I'm hesitating to pull the trigger on one as I consider the options.
There are two things I wonder about with the DUI. The msd is fed with a 10g wire. It supplies 450v to the coil. How can the DUI supply equal that when it is wired with a 12g or 14g wire? Just not possible. Also, Performance Distributors says not to use one with a high volume oil pump. I got an hv pump.
Yes, I do (did) like the price of the gm 4 pin, but it is no where near the performance of the msd. As a back up, it's great.
DUI: Yes, I like the DUI's. Love the simplicity and how they clean up the wiring. I'm hesitating to pull the trigger on one as I consider the options.
There are two things I wonder about with the DUI. The msd is fed with a 10g wire. It supplies 450v to the coil. How can the DUI supply equal that when it is wired with a 12g or 14g wire? Just not possible. Also, Performance Distributors says not to use one with a high volume oil pump. I got an hv pump.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,890
Likes: 9
From: La Verne, California
I've had 7 MSD boxes go out in a 3 year period, so hows that for Quality control.
Your best bet is to go w/ a Pertronix Electronic Ignition Conversion Kit & Coil.
I've one of these in my Mallory Duel Points Racing Distrib & Coil for my Built 312c.i. I6 w/o any kind of problem for several years now.
Your best bet is to go w/ a Pertronix Electronic Ignition Conversion Kit & Coil.
I've one of these in my Mallory Duel Points Racing Distrib & Coil for my Built 312c.i. I6 w/o any kind of problem for several years now.
I've known for years that people reported the msd boxes going out randomly. I considered myself lucky it lasted 6+ years. And I don't mean it just poof died. I mean it was smoking and hot! When the engine died and I opened the hood to ck, there was no doubt as to why the engine died. There was smoke coming out of the msd box!
I had just diagnosed a leaking water pump, and thought a pulley had thrown coolant on some wires and shorted something, but found no evidence of that.
Now I drop down to my GM 4 pin until I decide what to do. I'm looking at a DUI. A new MSD is what, $200+? The DUI is $365?
I had just diagnosed a leaking water pump, and thought a pulley had thrown coolant on some wires and shorted something, but found no evidence of that.
Now I drop down to my GM 4 pin until I decide what to do. I'm looking at a DUI. A new MSD is what, $200+? The DUI is $365?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,174
Likes: 377
From: Near Los Angeles
I'm looking at a Summit Racing box. The part # is Sum-850611. It beats the MSD in every way, and costs less. I've read online it is made by MSD. I'm not sure I'd want that known, since MSD's reputation is iffy.
I thought this might be a good product b/c of what a member said. But companies are now hiring social media reps to post for them, to bolster the rep of their product. So, who knows how much of the info on the forums is true, and how much is posted by John Doe of such and such company, wanting to sway public opinion about a product.
Interesting: I guess when you use Chinese made components, and your reputation takes a hit, you just hire s.media reps to lie about your goods, so you can continue making a higher profit off the customers who trust you because of the lies you pay to have posted. Ouch.
I thought this might be a good product b/c of what a member said. But companies are now hiring social media reps to post for them, to bolster the rep of their product. So, who knows how much of the info on the forums is true, and how much is posted by John Doe of such and such company, wanting to sway public opinion about a product.
Interesting: I guess when you use Chinese made components, and your reputation takes a hit, you just hire s.media reps to lie about your goods, so you can continue making a higher profit off the customers who trust you because of the lies you pay to have posted. Ouch.
Trailering
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Try looking at the Mallory version. they have had a better rep than MSD in the last 10+ yrs.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: DFW, TX-GoldCanyon, AZ
I had an old MSD-6 that finally gave up the ghost. I contacted them and got an RMA to send it in for service. $15 and 2 weeks later (plus postage to get it to them) I had a freshly rebuilt and certified unit that has been working great for the last couple of years.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 924
Likes: 1
Mallory has been bought out by MSD. I would assume that they're all the same. I bought a Mallory box for my f250 I think a week before they announced the news. But anywho I was on Facebook last night and one of those sponsored posts came and Accel has a new ignition box looks pretty good I haven't read up on it but it might be worth reading up on it.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,174
Likes: 377
From: Near Los Angeles
Thanks all for the information.
I checked on the accel box, but summit did not have any info on it, only the price. It was model 61212, for $149.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,174
Likes: 377
From: Near Los Angeles
That doesn't mean you get a new unit. If one capacitor is bad, one capacitor only is replaced, leaving all the old parts as is. AND, you have to wait 2 weeks to get it. That just doesn't seem attractive to me. It's a long wait for a bare minimum fix, with no warranty as to how long it will last. To me it seems like driving on borrowed time.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,174
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From: Near Los Angeles
My first clue came when I had to wait 25 minutes on hold before speaking to a living person. That tells me a lot.
BTW, H, how is that Mallory box of yours doing?
I came to a realization regarding aftermarket parts that are made in China. This is not a knock on China. It is a knock on the lack of quality control by the American companies selling the products. Any vehicle owner who is using said parts finds themselves in a cycle of buying/replacing. The parts, I have found, last from 2-7 years.
BTW, H, how is that Mallory box of yours doing?
I came to a realization regarding aftermarket parts that are made in China. This is not a knock on China. It is a knock on the lack of quality control by the American companies selling the products. Any vehicle owner who is using said parts finds themselves in a cycle of buying/replacing. The parts, I have found, last from 2-7 years.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 6,801
Likes: 7
From: DFW, TX-GoldCanyon, AZ
F - Wow, that service sure jumped up in price! Would not be a bad deal at even $30 for the service, but on the BIG end, well, I guess I see what you're saying..
The one I had serviced is still humming along, so I may go knock wood for that.
BTW, I have a brand new MSD 6AL and it says made in USA right on the box. I had bought it for my GT40 a couple years ago, but have not used it.
The one I had serviced is still humming along, so I may go knock wood for that.
BTW, I have a brand new MSD 6AL and it says made in USA right on the box. I had bought it for my GT40 a couple years ago, but have not used it.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,603
Likes: 10
From: Spokane, WA
My Mallory 6A has been with me from the beginning with never a stutter. Your results might differ. I recall looking into the Summit Box a few years ago. It appears to be quite good especially with the price...but, it is all about marketing doncha know...