Have an '85 150 straight six 300 std cab/long bed with Offy dual plane Intake, Holley 390, Headman dual exhaust and MSD 6AL ignition feeding stock coil and Duraspark vac advanced Distributor.

Also running Bosch Platinum plugs & wires on Pirelli 31x10.50x15's

She idles @ 1k rpm, and seems to have lots of pick-up. Have not dyno'd her but guestimate @ 220-250HP? Any suggestions/direction?

Someone told me to gap the plugs @50? why? Should I use a different coil? How can I fine tune the carb for that happy balance between fuel efficiency and power when I want some?

Already posted on the main page, but thougnt I'd also be specific to the straight six engine group, sorry for the dupe?

Love the forum, thanks for the feedback.

Ol'Madeline (The name of a cantankerous old mule whose personality matches mine and my truck's)

 

I don't have any feedback other than experiment with the gap a bit. The plugs are easy to get to so it shouldn't be a PITA to do.

How do you like the MSD 6AL? I'm considering adding a spark box after I get a 500 CFM carb.

 

Thanks for the feedback, I planned on trying the plug gap, cause it's easy to do. Just figured I'd get some input on tuning the whole setup.

I do like the MSD 6AL, it seems to have power to burn. I have the 6000 chip in mine. My brother has two of them in his Dodge SuperBee V-8 and says with them, he doesn't need emissions stuff, cause they put out enough power and his coils burn up everything the carb throws down the pipe.

I'm not exactly sure how his race car setup compares to Ol' Madeline, my truck, but hey, if it works, go with it. I know I tried to set up the duraspark system initially and had trouble with it. What with ballast resistors, combining an ignition/distributor system from an '82 setup with an '85 wiring schematic just wasn't "getting-her-done", so when my brother suggested I try the 6AL, I did. She fired right up.

Now I have to sort out the Carburation/vacuum lines/timing/spark plug gap/etc./etc./etc. stuff to make her run smooth, strong and efficient. Man, I wish I'd paid more attention to the guys taking auto-shop in High School, and less time chasing skirts..., well, maybe just a little more attention to the guys in auto-shop. ha.