MSD 6A Ignition Control

[wetminkey]

I agree BEEK.
MSD ignition controls work great! I have two cars and a truck that run 6As. I really prefer the multispark ignition (up to 3000 rpm),...But they do need to be mounted in an area that keeps them away from heat sources.
I've emailed AR to inquire about any necessary vac. adv. module adjustment before, or after, installation. And I'll call MSD tomorrow to get a definitive answer about the need for an ignition ballast resistor. I believe it is ONLY necessary when using a Blaster II coil with POINTS. The MSD literature is unclear,...
All have a good evening!
Todd.

[wetminkey]

WHOA! Hold that installation, geo.
I got this response from AR:

"It can only be adjusted prior to installation. How far the plastic clip is threaded on the shaft determines the amount of advance.
Since the unit has to be removed to be adjusted, nobody bothers to check or adjust them."

SO,...I asked if there is a way to make the adjustment prior to installation, other than just comparing the length of the rod with the old module. No one is dialing in their vacuum advance, I'd guess!
Second response, just moments ago:

"Not that I'm aware of. It would have to be trial-and-error."

So, I asked if it should be assumed to come 'pre-adjusted' from the factory.
Third answer from Csaba:

It's pre-adjusted to something, but we don't know what to....

Made me laugh.
So,...the module should be installed as is, and if adjustments need to be made, vacuum advance can be dialed in further going from that baseline. But the module would need to be removed for each adjustment,...

[geospider]

So, if their "ready to go" new distributors with the vac advance installed has the proper adjustment; couldn't they see how far out the mounting piece (plastic part) is.

Another thought; and this comes with NO real knowledge about this.
when it is snapped into place and mounted with the 3 screws, shouldn't there be No advance happening. shouldn't that have everything to do with the length of the rod.

maybe I am thinking too much.

[wetminkey]

Not 'too much' thought,...just right on, dude.
I'd guess the best bet would be to adjust the rod to fit the mounting plate ball loosely when the screws are in place (it would be necessary to adjust first, and then check screw application). Then, when the diaphragm is actuated, the vacuum advance would start from, essentially, zero.
I want to put this info in a separate post about the module.

[chrisg]

sorry to continue the vac module bit, but yeah, I think you'd be looking at basically when the vac advance kicks in (so, maybe if you more advance low, you'd lengthen the rod?).

I'm curious what you found about the resister & the coil. I have a few of those, one in an FI X1/9 which seems simple plug/play & one that in my '71 124 Spider (retrofit w/ Marelli '79-up ignition). The one in the '71 was w/o a resister & died in about 2K miles a year or so ago...I've replaced it with a different coil & got a replacement Blaster, but i also found the literature to be confusing on whether a resister was needed for triggering purposes or coil charging purposes (so, I put it on a shelf at the time...literally).

None of you are using the 123 distributor AR sells? That one seems like an ideal retrofit, but I've not tried it.

[wetminkey]

Well for cripe's sake!
Per Ray, at MSD, if 12V+ is not controlled by an MSD ignition control, you need to install the 0.8 ohm ballast resistor.
So, my Fiat's Blaster II coil should have an inline resistor installed on the in-coming 12V+. And my Ford F-100's new Blaster II will need one, since it will also receive 12V+ directly to the coil.
Happy motoring!

[geospider]

I'll work on the Vac adv when it gets here. as for the whole ballast resistor stuff. If it does no harm to put one in,then we just should. they don't cost much. any issues with using one with the elec ignition we have? ('79)

As for the 123 dizzy: more money than I was wanting to get into right now. The other option with that $$$ is Mark's Computronics: Dizzy-less system.

[chrisg]

Well for cripe's sake!
Per Ray, at MSD, if 12V+ is not controlled by an MSD ignition control, you need to install the 0.8 ohm ballast resistor.
So, my Fiat's Blaster II coil should have an inline resistor installed on the in-coming 12V+. And my Ford F-100's new Blaster II will need one, since it will also receive 12V+ directly to the coil.
Happy motoring!

excellent! it is ballasted on the X1/9 & not on the 124, thus confirming my suspicion of why I have a new replacement coil on a shelf. ignorantly, I returned it to the auto parts store where I got it & they happily exchanged it & told me they get a lot of them back. MSD may be served well to put the instructions in red, bold letters for stupid people like me!

I've heard some things about the computronics & folks with issues that have caused slight concern. The programmable (bluetooth) 123 sounds quite nice, but to date I have not had an engine that warranted that tight tuning.

[geospider]

Chris,
+1 on the motor needing such upgrades. Mine: fairly stock (other than carb and manifold).
thought a better coil was smart; and yes, more instructions would be nice.

It is interesting that the specs on all of this is a bit whacky.

for a "79 (elec ign): primary res: ~.7 secondary 10-11K
the Blaster II: primary: .7 secondary 4.5K
yet even with the secondary diff: people have been using. I may just not know enough.

and then when testing the coil I took out: seems to be one for the older (points) model pre '79.

will go with what I have new and see what happens.

Geo

[wetminkey]

Well, my Blaster II hasn't been in the car long, but it HAS been running without a ballast resistor, and it did OK (now I know better too!).
Anyway, here's my installation:



(sorry about the filth)
VAROOM! Starts immediately, idles smooth. I'll just have to wait to get to test it,...
Enjoy your Spiders!
Todd.

[geospider]

nice, where the heck is you control Module. looks like the big white wire from the dizzy is plugged in below your resistor.
and; did you get that at oreilys or autozone?

[wetminkey]

Thank you!
The Accel control module resides in an area just behind the coil. It's where the old one was, screwed to the finned, aluminum mounting with a nice layer of new silicone grease. Does this look different from your coil mounting?
I live in the BOONIES, so I ordered all my MSD stuff and the Accel module online. I usually buy from Jegs or SummitRacing.
Todd.

[geospider]

mine is under the coil as well. your wire just looks like it goes to a different spot. no worries
I'm not in the boonies, but a bunch of our stuff is not carried by ANYONE.

[wetminkey]

If at first you don't succeed, try again,...
I'll be pulling my distributor again soon, so that I can properly adjust the vacuum advance in my new module (I could tell that it changed baseline, "zero" advance when I installed it. Ahh, not that troublesome.
The Blaster II sure works well with it's PROPER, 0.8 Ohm ballast resistor installed.
Todd.

[geospider]

Vac came in today. Installed it. had to screw it in about 1/8" to get length of old one.
when screwed in; set it right at "zero", so looks good to me.

first attempt at upholstery: will tighten more, but feels pretty good.



quite a mixed post; sorry to others