Msd 6al

[Bob Chadwick]

I'm looking to start working on my ignition system and am considering this unit. While the ignition system model seems fairly simple, decisions on the which coil and accessory wiring harness is confusing me.

Is Blaster GM Coil, PN 8226, the direct replacement for the stock coil? It says "This style coil was used on pretty much anything that came out of GM until 1996 (except DIS systems)" but it doesn't seem to be the right one. It references two connectors, usually one gray and one black. Mine has three connectors, a black one that goes to the bottom of the distributor and a brown and white one that seem to be the positive and negative for the coil. If this isn't the correct coil, can someone tell me which one is?

MSD sells accessory wiring harnesses that seem to make the installation go much easier, pretty much plug and play. Part #8876 looks to go with the above mentioned coil plugging into the end of the existing connecter that goes into the coil with the other end plugging into the coil with all of the connectors for the MSD unit.

If the referenced coil isn't correct, which harness would be correct?

 

[72Mako]

Bob, I'm running the entire MSD ignition sys on mine, billet-tach drive dist, 6AL box, coil and wires. Mine has been trouble free for many miles now and I love the rev limiter especially when drag racing with the factory tach, LOL. Anyway, I can't help answer your question as you have the HEI type dist and I've got the older type, but just wanted to give you a hint. If possible, run a dedicated heavy power wire from the box directly to the battery. MSD recommended this as well as others when I did mine. It helps eliminate head scratching problems later on. Charles

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Thanks Charles. I was planning on coming off either the heavy guage wire at the alternator or the starter. Will this serve the same purpose?

 

[72Mako]

Bob, I'm sure that the box will run fine from either and lots of people do. It's just that MSD recommended to me that if possible to run a dedicated hvy gauge wire direct to the battery if you have that option to power the box. In their opinion, that was the preferred way. They make nice stuff. Charles

 

[GerryLP]

Yeah...what he asked...

I've got the same question. Does it matter if I connect the heavy red wire from the MSD directly to the 12VDC input to the alternator???

I did read about MSD's reccomendations [starter 12VDC wire, battery post-direct], I am installing the box in area just ahead of air cleaner and just behind and above of water pump. It would be more convinient to wire the power cables to the input for alternator and frame ground on left side of engine.

Opinions??? Experience???

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Gerry,

I suspect that you have the same distributor and connections that I have. Did you get one of the accessory wiring harnesses referenced on the web site for almost plug and play installation or are you making your own connections?

Bob

 

[GerryLP]

Gerry,

I suspect that you have the same distributor and connections that I have. Did you get one of the accessory wiring harnesses referenced on the web site for almost plug and play installation or are you making your own connections?

Bob

Bob,

Yes, I purchased the 8860 and 8861 for the HEI [non-computer] distributor connection; however, are you refering to the MDS-power side harness? I wasn't sure of which one I could use on the 1981 Vette. I am not running the computer either.

 

[Rowdy1]

Worth A Shot

I'm running a total MSD in my 62. I had a problem last year which I won't go into right now BUT I WILL SAY, they have an EXCELLANT product, tech group, just a class act. They took my 6AL box AFTER it was out of warranty, bench tested it, put a couple new resistors or transisters in it and shipped it back, all FREE. I spent hours on the phone with them, they returned my calls and after we finally figured out what the problem was, I got a call from "Sparky" a month later, the chief engineer and head mucky muck from MSD. I'd give their site a shot or even try giving them a call.

http://www.msdignition.com/

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Gerry,

I'm hoping to get a cable similar to the one I have above. The beauty of that cable is that you disconnect the plug that goes into the distributor, plug this harness into that plug and the distributor, connect the unit into the plugs on the new harness and you are pretty much ready to go. For the $20 that this one appears to cost it seems like a no fuss install that can easily be removed.

Rowdy,

Thanks for the info on the customer service. My kind of vendor.

Bob

 

[GerryLP]

Bob,


That's a good call. I would do the same, but I have not been able to find the part number yet.

I will also paint the box Chevrolet-blue to match the engine compartment.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

I had the MSD in my '81. It didn't really do anything, and eventually quit (stopping the whole car). The advice I have heard is that if your car has HEI, forget about the MSD system. It tends to work best with traditional, points distributors, and in an HEI equipped car is only one more thing to worry about.

--Chris Kennedy
Houston, Texas

 

[Jack]

Is Blaster GM Coil, PN 8226, the direct replacement for the stock coil? It says "This style coil was used on pretty much anything that came out of GM until 1996 (except DIS systems)" but it doesn't seem to be the right one. It references two connectors, usually one gray and one black. Mine has three connectors, a black one that goes to the bottom of the distributor and a brown and white one that seem to be the positive and negative for the coil. If this isn't the correct coil, can someone tell me which one is?

MSD coil P/N 8226 is NOT correct for HEI circa 1977. MSD coil P/N 8225 is correct for same and will fit into top of HEI distributor cap ... 8226 will NOT fit into cap. 8226 is used for later model HEI having small dist cap with remote coil.

Also, circa 77 coil connections are actually inside top of distributor cap ... you'll see them once you remove the coil cover from center of dist cap (2-3 small screws).

IMHO, MSD 6 is not so practical for an HEI car that is primarily street-driven and is routinely relied upon to get to work. Unless the car's carb is overly-rich, MSD 6 doesn't add much to HEI and is prone to failure ... failure that cannot be field-repaired and requires parts from texas. We run MSD 6 in our circle track car ... I have it wired into an HEI ... without HEI module ... our carb is intentionally very rich. At some tracks our MSD is not permitted ... there we run Davis' Dyna-Mod module. Many others do same as us.

IMHO, there are better coils & modules than MSD for circa 77 HEI.
www.pertronix.com
Pertronix FlameThrower coil P/N D3000
http://www.performancedistributors.com/gmracedui.htm
Davis Unified Ignition coil P/N 121000
Davis Unified Ignition module P/N 000222

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Thanks Jack. I'll look into other options before making up my mind one way or the other.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Well, I ended up getting it. Looks pretty straight forward. Take out the pickup inside the stock distributor, plug in their wiring harness and a couple of connections. I'm sure I'll have a couple of wiring questions when I get started.

My main question right now is where the heck did you guys put it. Gerry how did you mount it in front of the air cleaner? I'd like to see pictures of that.

About the only place I can see to mount is in the area behind the passenger side wheel behind the air duct, kind of like the vapor cannister only on the other side. I'm trying not to mount it inside the car and go through the firewall with the wires.

Bob

 

[GerryLP]

Well, I ended up getting it. Looks pretty straight forward. Take out the pickup inside the stock distributor, plug in their wiring harness and a couple of connections. I'm sure I'll have a couple of wiring questions when I get started.

My main question right now is where the heck did you guys put it. Gerry how did you mount it in front of the air cleaner? I'd like to see pictures of that.

About the only place I can see to mount is in the area behind the passenger side wheel behind the air duct, kind of like the vapor cannister only on the other side. I'm trying not to mount it inside the car and go through the firewall with the wires.

Bob

Bob,

I hope I did not get your hopes up in vain. I should have added that I do not use the A.I.R. pump, so the placement took advantage of this fact. Here is a drawing of the bracket assembly I made for it, and it works great.

The following hardware is needed:

Spacer, Stailess Steel, 1/2" X 2 7/8" - 3" long, (inner dia. is 3/8"), I cut from SS pipe

Bolt, 3 1/2" (or up to 3 3/4") -18, Qty = 1 each (ea.), Grade 5 or 8
Bolt, 9/16" X 3/8" -18, Qty = 4 ea., grade 5 or 8
Nut, 3/8" -18, Qty = 2 ea.
Washer (lock), 3/8", Qty = 4 ea.
MSD Shock mount kit:
Mount, Rubber, Qty = 4 ea.
Screws (8 ea.), Nut (4 ea.)
The brakets are made of Galvanized Steel
The base is Stainless Steel Sheet Metal
The brackets are designed to fit the threaded hole below Alternator bracket on left cylinder head (for the left side bracket). The right side bracket is designed to reach the top threaded hole on front face of right cylinder head (consistent with the threaded hole used on the left side for the alternator bracket). You can suit either bracket to match the available threaded hole in your particular vehicle.

You can substitute materials as you like. Aluminum sheet metal will work, but the thickness must be increased. I also adapted a metal strap to the side with the 3/8" X 3" bolt to reduce the flexing of the stainless steel base (1/8" thickness) beacause the bolt serves as the only single mounting point for the side of the base taht reaches over the manifold near the top radiator hose elbow.

 

[GerryLP]

Bracket parts

These pieces are approximately 100% true size, so when you print on a 8 1/2" X 11" sheet of paper, you will see the true dimensions. This is specially true on the side view of the brackets. The front view of the brackets are shown with the dashed line to show where the metal bends. I'll try to get a picture of the finished product. It's already installed in my car, and all that its needed are conduits (black plastic) to streamline the wiring in the engine compartment. You may have to adjust the dimensions slightly to fit you engine application.

 

[JCVette]

Power Supply Issues

I installed my MSD6AL on the rear inner fender low and plan to build make a splash guard. I am faced with the same problem with the main power wire... I originally hooked into the the alternator power circuit feed, but experienced run-on problems. Now that my pipes are fixed see true duals above, I am scratching my head wonder how and where I am going to power my 6AL?? I was thinking about jumping it directly into a spare in the fuse box? Any other ideas would be great!!

 

[GerryLP]

I installed my MSD6AL on the rear inner fender low and plan to build make a splash guard. I am faced with the same problem with the main power wire... I originally hooked into the the alternator power circuit feed, but experienced run-on problems. Now that my pipes are fixed see true duals above, I am scratching my head wonder how and where I am going to power my 6AL?? I was thinking about jumping it directly into a spare in the fuse box? Any other ideas would be great!!

JC,

If you're using the 4-pin type module distributor, then hook the heavy-red wire to the positive cable to the starter solenoid. The heavy-black wire to the frame, the light-black wire to the "C-" terminal in the distributor cap, the light-orange wire to the "B+" terminal on the distributor cap, the light-white wire its not used if using the pick-up harness in the distributor and extension harness to the box (green and violet wires), and the light-red wire to the switched source...which is your "BAT" cable to the distributor cap. It helps if you connect a ground strap from the engine to the frame to tie all ground. By the way, the "GND" terminal in the distributor cap requires a ground cable with terminals. I just went to a valve cover bolt on one end, and to the "GND" terminal on the other.

(if you're using the 7-pin type distributor, then the wiring for the distributor is the same except for the light-black and light-orange. wires. I think that someone here in had trouble when replacing the carburator with a Holley and trying to use the computer-type distributor. But MSD has all the diagrams you'll need for the 7-pin type distributor.)

 

[JCVette]

Thanks

My wiring set up is on a 4 pin module and everything except the main power and ground is currently set as you described. I will evaluate the connection to the starter as my next option!! Betty (wife's name for the Vette because one time she believed I spent more time / money with / on the car than the family!! LOL) is currently just waiting for it to happen. I can't wait to see the effects of the 6AL, but after many hours of working on the headlights reading, testing (DR. Rebuild Guide) my lights will not come up.... and I have to fly nights tonight.

Thanks for the Great response,
JC

 

[GerryLP]

JC,


Wifes are great in that regard. In my case, I named the car with my wife's middle name "Gail". She and the car share the same level of fury, dedication, reliability, temperament, and praise...:L