Msd Ignition
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 195
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From: Wilton, Ca
Msd Ignition
Need your input should I or shouldn't I one of thouse things.
I have a 77 F250 with a newly rebuilt 351c. It has FLOWMASTER exhaust and A GeerVenders over/underdrive.Iam thinking of getting the MSD ignition.
It is not a hotrod type truck. We use it for pulling our 5th wheel and boat.There is nothing wrong with the iginition I have know,But is this up grade going to make a diffrence that is worthe of the price.It sounds good,but $$$$
If I decide to go with this should I get the coil and distribitor also It has no points in the distribitor so I don't know if that needs changing or not
I was concidering MSD 6A HELP
Don
I have a 77 F250 with a newly rebuilt 351c. It has FLOWMASTER exhaust and A GeerVenders over/underdrive.Iam thinking of getting the MSD ignition.
It is not a hotrod type truck. We use it for pulling our 5th wheel and boat.There is nothing wrong with the iginition I have know,But is this up grade going to make a diffrence that is worthe of the price.It sounds good,but $$$$
If I decide to go with this should I get the coil and distribitor also It has no points in the distribitor so I don't know if that needs changing or not
I was concidering MSD 6A HELP
Don
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
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From: Spokane, WA
Originally Posted by RDON
But is this up grade going to make a diffrence that is worthe of the price.
I have a 6AL and love it to death. I also have the MSD billet distributor and coil. But my plans for my truck are much different from what you plan to do with yours. If there's nothing wrong with your Duraspark setup then leave it alone and spend the few hundred $$ on something more useful.I will say that when I went to an MSD system my engine ran smoother and mileage incresed by a little bit but it would take a LOT of gas to pay that sucker off. I think I've got around $500 into it now. I'm not knocking MSD's because I think they're great but they really are not necessary for most engines. The stock Ford setup is very efficient and inexpensive to replace should you ever need to.
Hope that helps.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,322
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From: Rhode Island
I run the Msd 6al's in my fast vehicles... I got one in my 86 5.0 ranger... and in my 84 1/2 Gt 350 Mustang.
My 78 F-250 Supercab 4X4 will most likely get one too ... but that is still to be seen.... Need to get the truck back together before we can decied on that..
The msd ignitions are great. But the factory setup is good enough for your average ride.. My 86 F-250, 87 F-350 4X4 crew, and my wive's 84 1/2 convert all still run the factory setup..
My 78 F-250 Supercab 4X4 will most likely get one too ... but that is still to be seen.... Need to get the truck back together before we can decied on that..
The msd ignitions are great. But the factory setup is good enough for your average ride.. My 86 F-250, 87 F-350 4X4 crew, and my wive's 84 1/2 convert all still run the factory setup..
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 736
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From: South East, Michigan
Sounds like you may want to upgrade to the stock dura spark ignition system. I see you said your current dist has points in it. The dura spark ignition is a step up from there and should be a lot less inexpensive. You will need a dist., dura spark control module, coli ,and wireing harness. These items can be picked up at a local scrap yard for little or nothing. I would recommend purchasing a "new" dura spark control module for the durability (used electrical part's are not a good idea) -Ed
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Wilton, Ca
Now I did it.Truck wont start.Pulled the gas line from the carb and fuel pump is working. Put a few drops in the carb.NOTHING.So know it is decission time.
Do the Module just quite with no worning like that?Ran good last night.
Do the Module just quite with no worning like that?Ran good last night.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,398
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From: Hesperia, CA
I wasted my money and bought a MSD and put it on my 77 F250 with a 460 engine. I found absolutely no improvement in performance. Your stock Dura Spark system is the best made. Don't waste your money.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Mississippi
Like others have said. If your not pouring the coal to to it with n2o or any other type of mod. You would be fine with just a well maintained stock system.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Wilton, Ca
Thanks everone you help me lots.As I stated above it wouldn't start.So I made the decicison and went with a stock Module. I called the Ford dealer and the part man said they only go back to 85. He recamended <(spelling) Napa. I ask him if he had stock in Napa.He said he didn't so that is what I got $37.55.
It took a little effort to get it fired the first time. Know it starts right up. The test will be in the morning. That is when it first failed. Two days ago.
That was the first problem I had sence I got it back from ford being rebuilt. It was a year Nov 7 (my birthday) Just hope that solved the problem.
Not knowing you sure help me. Thanks again everone.
Don
It took a little effort to get it fired the first time. Know it starts right up. The test will be in the morning. That is when it first failed. Two days ago.
That was the first problem I had sence I got it back from ford being rebuilt. It was a year Nov 7 (my birthday) Just hope that solved the problem.
Not knowing you sure help me. Thanks again everone.
Don
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Joined: Nov 2004
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You might want to try an after market coil which will work with your stock dura spark(ie accel etc.) also pack a spare module, cuz if it quits you are out of bullets.Another thing to check is the pick up coil in the distributer,(I have had 2 of these give me problems).
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: okc
u gotta make sure that dsII ignition is set up properly, get your #1 piston to TDC comp. stroke and set the timing mark to the setting on your engine sticker, usually around 12-14btdc then open the distributer cap and remove the rotor bug....look at the prongs around the distributer shaft...one should be lined up perfectly with the pickup contact next to it..your will see the contact on the side closest to the prongs.. if it is off adjust the distributer to line them up....then put everything together and hook up a timing light to #1 remove the vacuum advance and plug it...then set your rpms at 650 in park or neutral...now fine tune the timing between 12 and 14...and test drive..if its sluggy or backfires tweek the distributer 2 degrees one way or the other and drive again...go back and forth till you find the performance u want..i personally go with 12 btdc for better mpg and 14btdc for more power...
SwOkcOffRoader
SwOkcOffRoader
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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Mount your DS-II unit off the fender with 1/4" spacers for cooling airflow under the module. I use 5/16" hex nuts. Get a Motorcraft module if you can. I get mine out of salvage yards for cheap (usually < $1)and then test them.
