Msd ignition

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44Ydnar88
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Msd ignition

Post by 44Ydnar88 »

Hey all, just wondering if anyone here has veered away from the Mopar module and ran an aftermarket ignition system, if so, any benefits? Thanks, oh and still wondering about the 8 holes above my galley sink :D
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Diverted Income
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Re: Msd ignition

Post by Diverted Income »

MSD ignition is good stuff. Use a marine dizzy in my 502 Ford w/ a 6AL box and a dizzy and box on my CJ-5. Distributor is similar to Ford Duraspark. If you need a reverse rotation you may be out of luck. They don't do that for GM anyway. ( mechanical advance can't be reversed) Simple to work on and wire.
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prowlersfish
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Re: Msd ignition

Post by prowlersfish »

Diverted Income wrote:MSD ignition is good stuff. Use a marine dizzy in my 502 Ford w/ a 6AL box and a dizzy and box on my CJ-5. Distributor is similar to Ford Duraspark. If you need a reverse rotation you may be out of luck. They don't do that for GM anyway. ( mechanical advance can't be reversed) Simple to work on and wire.
Reverse rotation is no issue on a GM . The dist. still turns the same way as normal rotation .
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Big D
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Re: Msd ignition

Post by Big D »

prowlersfish wrote:
Diverted Income wrote:MSD ignition is good stuff. Use a marine dizzy in my 502 Ford w/ a 6AL box and a dizzy and box on my CJ-5. Distributor is similar to Ford Duraspark. If you need a reverse rotation you may be out of luck. They don't do that for GM anyway. ( mechanical advance can't be reversed) Simple to work on and wire.
Reverse rotation is no issue on a GM . The dist. still turns the same way as normal rotation .
+1
The difference is the gear.
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prowlersfish
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Re: Msd ignition

Post by prowlersfish »

Big D wrote:
prowlersfish wrote:
Diverted Income wrote:MSD ignition is good stuff. Use a marine dizzy in my 502 Ford w/ a 6AL box and a dizzy and box on my CJ-5. Distributor is similar to Ford Duraspark. If you need a reverse rotation you may be out of luck. They don't do that for GM anyway. ( mechanical advance can't be reversed) Simple to work on and wire.
Reverse rotation is no issue on a GM . The dist. still turns the same way as normal rotation .
+1
The difference is the gear.
Big D please correct me or add to this as I may not remember it all correctly .

Many GM use a timing gear instead of a chain so the Cam and Dist end up spinning the normal way , others Use a different cam/dist gear so the dist ends up spinning the same . Chris craft even ran one engine off the front the other normally to get oppose rotation ( flagship ran both off the front) DD did it 4 different ways on the 671 and don't get me started on Perkins counter rotation (every thing including the oil and injection pump was backwards ).

Thank fully they got smart and started using the gear boxes gassers like they have on diesels for many years before
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Big D
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Re: Msd ignition

Post by Big D »

Some use single timing gear or a chain, or 2 and 3 gears. Depending on the configuration is what determines if a reverse rotation cam is required and a different distributor/gear. Some need to reverse the pistons 180* plus all the other usual hardware like starter, main seal, etc. Some need the crank replaced. Merc for example will have different part numbers for the cranks. If I remember correctly, it's the way the oil passages are cut.

I remember the first time I worked on a CC's output off the front end. Nobody told me about that one! Imagine the fun I had trying to time this thing off what I thought was #1 cylinder only to realize a couple of hours later that I was trying to time off #8. The idea to run it off the front was certainly thinking out of the box! I get a kick out of watching the younglings try to time them now :wink:

Thank God the newer stuff doesn't turn the wrong way anymore.
She was a 1969 36 ft wooden beauty with big blue 440s that we'll miss forever.
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44Ydnar88
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Re: Msd ignition

Post by 44Ydnar88 »

Thanks for the replies, I'm keeping the prestolite idh-7002 distributer, I have a reverse rotation 318, a replacement distributer apparently doesn't exist anymore, hurrikain has one, but appears to be a rebadged pertronix for ALOT. last season had some ignition gremlins. I feel an msd box with full 12v will simplify things a bit, considered this,
HEIModuleAdapterSmall.jpg
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prowlersfish
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Re: Msd ignition

Post by prowlersfish »

Interesting , That is a GM type ignition module on a plate .
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44Ydnar88
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Re: Msd ignition

Post by 44Ydnar88 »

Typical GM 4 terminal HEI, the aluminum plate acts as the heat sink, the GM module requires a full 12v to fire, so would need a relay in the start circuit. AC Delco modules are about 40$. The Chrysler pick up will trigger the module. Any reason not too?
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Re: Msd ignition

Post by prowlersfish »

44Ydnar88 wrote:Typical GM 4 terminal HEI, the aluminum plate acts as the heat sink, the GM module requires a full 12v to fire, so would need a relay in the start circuit. AC Delco modules are about 40$. The Chrysler pick up will trigger the module. Any reason not too?
Had a friend do a gm HEI marine conversion (newer type) and it never ran good ( for long ) . That style normally was used in a dist. with both mech and vacuum advance not sure you would get full advance . Is this even ok for marine use ? I always felt the stock Mopar electronic system was one of the best . I would stay with it . Be careful and make sure to use marine rated/approved ignition parts .
Boating is good for the soul
77/78 TROJAN F36 Conv.
6BTA Cummins diesels
Life is to short for a ugly boat :D
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44Ydnar88
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Re: Msd ignition

Post by 44Ydnar88 »

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Are the replacement Chrysler ECU ignition protected? Sierra # 18-5105
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prowlersfish
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Re: Msd ignition

Post by prowlersfish »

With Sierra being a major and reputable marine parts suppler . I would feel safe that their products meet necessary specs . Some interesting fixes in your photos . But being a boat I would do it right or not at all but that's me .

That's for reminding me how nice compression ignition is . :D
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6BTA Cummins diesels
Life is to short for a ugly boat :D
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44Ydnar88
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Re: Msd ignition

Post by 44Ydnar88 »

Thx, had did this discussion with my brother today, his words" throw a set of points in it and be done with it"
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Re: Msd ignition

Post by prowlersfish »

That will work , Of course that means finding some old marine dist.
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Re: Msd ignition

Post by Big D »

44Ydnar88 wrote:[attachment=1]...Are the replacement Chrysler ECU ignition protected? Sierra # 18-5105
Yes

You never mentioned the symptoms you're having. Rather than throw a bunch of parts at a system that has a pretty good rap for dependable operation, maybe some diagnostics are in order to narrow down the source of the symptoms.
She was a 1969 36 ft wooden beauty with big blue 440s that we'll miss forever.
And thanks to the gang, 2012 Trojan Boater Of The Year
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