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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech

Any MSD experts out there??

  • Thread starter Thread starter Charlie Allen
  • Start date Start date Jan 24, 2009
C

Charlie Allen

15 Year Member
Jan 7, 2008
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7
Jan 24, 2009
#1
  • Jan 24, 2009
  • #1
Installed a MSD 6AL and a 2 step with the MSD adapter harness to the coil in my 95 today. Wired all 100% as per the instructions, did not cut or extend any wires, easy installation. I had heard that my timing could change after the install. Checked prior to install, had 10 inital (spout out) and 24 total (spout in). Checked again after install and inital was 20 (sout out). Reset to 10 (spout out) and now have 35 total (spout in)
Any comments??
MSD tech will be my first phone call on Monday.
 

FlyBy763

Member
Apr 23, 2004
439
0
17
Palm Bay, FL
Jan 24, 2009
#2
  • Jan 24, 2009
  • #2
Why would timing change when adding an MSD box? Especially the base timing, did you remove the distributor?
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Jan 25, 2009
#3
  • Jan 25, 2009
  • #3
Multiple spark boxes can cause issues with timing lights (because of the multiple sparking itself). Just something to consider...............
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Jan 29, 2009
#4
  • Jan 29, 2009
  • #4
I wanted to see if you got it remedied and was curious what the solution was......
 
C

Charlie Allen

15 Year Member
Jan 7, 2008
60
0
7
Jan 29, 2009
#5
  • Jan 29, 2009
  • #5
Good suggestion on the light but used 3, a dial, digital and $15 Pep Boys special, no difference. I datalogged 10 minutes of a load and no load and the most it now sees is 38 degrees. The MSD tech were very nice but not really any help. Was kinda hoping for an expert here who has installed this in a 94-95.
 

divit250r

Member
Mar 31, 2005
314
0
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Columbia City, IN
Jan 29, 2009
#6
  • Jan 29, 2009
  • #6
Charlie Allen said:
Good suggestion on the light but used 3, a dial, digital and $15 Pep Boys special, no difference. I datalogged 10 minutes of a load and no load and the most it now sees is 38 degrees. The MSD tech were very nice but not really any help. Was kinda hoping for an expert here who has installed this in a 94-95.
Click to expand...

I never experienced this after installing mine. Timing didn't change a bit, and I checked it originally with an older Snap-On standard light, and currently with a dial timing light. I have a two step box, just haven't found a need for it yet. I really doubt that has anything to do with it. I bought the adaptor harness, so everything just plugged right in. Did you hardwire it, or use the adaptor?

Good luck!
Scott
 
C

Charlie Allen

15 Year Member
Jan 7, 2008
60
0
7
Jan 29, 2009
#7
  • Jan 29, 2009
  • #7
Scott
I used the same adapter harness that you have, easy install and nice piece. I have to believe that now my light is seeing that total advance that was always there. For some reason, prior to install, the oem computor only allows the light to see X amount of total. I don't get it, BUT, I ran the car this evening at the local
1/8 mile track and all the numbers on the time slip are the same as before the install. That makes me believe that the total is the same now as what it was.
And life goes on...........................
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,303
1,648
214
Acworth, GA
Jan 29, 2009
#8
  • Jan 29, 2009
  • #8
Never had a problem with using a timing light, or the timing changing.

Kurt
 
S

stang89460

New Member
Dec 31, 2007
14
0
0
Feb 2, 2009
#9
  • Feb 2, 2009
  • #9
Did your MSD swap help your 1/4 time at all? I had a 95 with a 6a box and Header thats it and went 14.30 now have a 94 with with headers and only went 15.30 looking for answers befor I bye. Also do I need to advance the stock timing at all or does it seem to help?
 
C

Charlie Allen

15 Year Member
Jan 7, 2008
60
0
7
Feb 4, 2009
#10
  • Feb 4, 2009
  • #10
stang89460 said:
Did your MSD swap help your 1/4 time at all? I had a 95 with a 6a box and Header thats it and went 14.30 now have a 94 with with headers and only went 15.30 looking for answers befor I bye. Also do I need to advance the stock timing at all or does it seem to help?
Click to expand...

The MSD by it itself did nothing but the addition of a 2 step picked it up .08 by leaving at 3000rpm (this is an AODE). Advancing intial timing by turning the distributor 4 degrees made no difference on the time slip, I have not changed any timing tables (via my Tweecer) as of yet. I would think your 94 would run deep in the 14's with a gear change.
 
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