Issues with MSD box and timing light

86T-Top

Founding Member

Jun 29, 2001

553

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17

Dublin, PA

Oct 19, 2007

#1

• Oct 19, 2007

• #1

I have a MSD 6A box in my car with a rebuilt 1985 Ford duraspark distributor and new MSD coil. When I try to use my timing light i run into an issue where I have a very erratic output from the timing light. Depending on where I have my timing set the timing gun will have an output or it will not. My timinig light is fine, I tested it on my other cars and it worked fine.

I had read somewhere that MSD boxes don't work well with some timing lights. Is this true? If so what guns are compatable with the MSD boxes?

Thanks,

Mario

 

fvike

Member

Aug 24, 2004

335

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16

Mosjøen, Norway

Oct 19, 2007

#2

• Oct 19, 2007

• #2

You need a gun that is multi-spark compatible. Here's a selection from Summit Racing: http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?N=700+4294853113+115+4294751275

 

65 fastback

Founding Member

Mar 17, 2002

1,347

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37

Northern VA

Oct 19, 2007

#3

• Oct 19, 2007

• #3

That would make sense, because the MSD is Multiple Spark Discharge. A standard ignitions sends one electrical pulse (for one spark) per cylinder cycle. An MSD ignition will send 3-4 pulses per cylinder, thus the erratic timing light output.

fvike has your solution.

Tim

 

Hipogt

New Member

Sep 5, 2007

12

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0

Central NJ

Oct 19, 2007

#4

• Oct 19, 2007

• #4

Had a MSD 6A on a stock hi-po dual point. Did not need a different timing light. Don't remember, but I may have been "jumping out" the MSD to set the timing. This was easy with 2 short jumper leads provided w/ the 6A. Not familiar w/ the dura-spark setup so I'm not sure if this is an option. I would check w/MSD first.

Rob

 

R

ron67fb

Founding Member

Aug 3, 2001

1,117

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36

SF Bay area, CA

Oct 19, 2007

#5

• Oct 19, 2007

• #5

fvike said:

You need a gun that is multi-spark compatible. Here's a selection from Summit Racing: http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?N=700+4294853113+115+4294751275

Click to expand...

I 've had the Actron one on that page for many years. Not a bad light - nice and bright, seems durable after dropping it many times, although it's a bit heavy. Everything else was out of stock at the time, hence my choice.

 

65fastbackresto

Active Member

Apr 13, 2007

1,229

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39

AR

Oct 20, 2007

#6

• Oct 20, 2007

• #6

I bought a Craftsman timing light at Sears

The light works great and I have a MSD 6AL and MSD dist with Blaster coil. It was $50 and it was the cheapest one they had.

 

BullittStangV8

Founding Member

Oct 5, 2002

1,104

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36

NJ

Oct 20, 2007

#7

• Oct 20, 2007

• #7

Can you post the craftman timing light part number? they offer a couple different ones if im not mistaken.

 

65fastbackresto

Active Member

Apr 13, 2007

1,229

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39

AR

Oct 21, 2007

#8

• Oct 21, 2007

• #8

Craftsman Timing Light, Inductive

Craftsman Timing Light, Inductive
Sears item# 00921027000 Mfr. model# 21027

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...ame=Automotive&keyword=inductive+timing+light

It works real good with my box. I had my timing at 13 to 14 degrees base in just couple minutes.