MSD 6a igntion box.

[99Yuk]

Sorry, your right. I forgot to mention that.

I had my neighbor crank the engine while I held the spark tester to ground and looked at the light.

Nothing.

Presumably the tester is working, it was during my previous usage and the truck didn't start when the coil was connected to the dizzy.

 

[SunlitComet]

This light, is it like an incandescent bulb. I would think the reaction time of the bulb would be to slow to tell. I just can't see what kind of tester you got there.

---------- Post added at 04:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:39 PM ----------

I would also wiggle your power terminals for the box on the battery a little bit and try again.

---------- Post added at 04:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:44 PM ----------

I don't think the box on our vortecs do any good since we use platinum pregaps bu I will add it to my to do list just so I can get a speed limiter on my engine.

---------- Post added at 04:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:46 PM ----------

and for the aesthetics.

 

[961500]

First your coil is wrong get part number msd-8231 it is meant for our trucks the 96-99 setup is picky to say the least. Second buy the kit from msd that makes the box plug and play I cut no wires on mine simply plugged in the pigtail harness and hooked up the box from there took five minutes part number msd-8877 cost is $31.99. Found all this on summit racing online it took longer to install and drill the holes for the mounting of the box!

 

[99Yuk]

This light, is it like an incandescent bulb. I would think the reaction time of the bulb would be to slow to tell. I just can't see what kind of tester you got there...

It's a regular spark tester. You plug it in and it flashes to indicate spark. It's cheap and much safer than holding on/using a screwdriver to the plug/coil to determine wether you have spark or not. The tester itself works great. I used it on my wife's Trailblazer and it lights up.

The tester is ok.

EDIT: I think I got it at Princess Auto...
EDIT II: I did! Here is the LINK.

 

[SunlitComet]

What does the led light on box do when you turn on ignition or try starting?

 

[99Yuk]

First your coil is wrong get part number msd-8231 it is meant for our trucks the 96-99 setup is picky to say the least. Second buy the kit from msd that makes the box plug and play I cut no wires on mine simply plugged in the pigtail harness and hooked up the box from there took five minutes part number msd-8877 cost is $31.99. Found all this on summit racing online it took longer to install and drill the holes for the mounting of the box!

Sorry, but I partially disagree on both counts.

The wiring harness 8877 is for someone who can't follow a wiring diagram. It consists of two oem ends and four blade connectors crimped on nine lengths of wire. The presumption is that if you can read a wiring diagram, then you can make temp splices otherwise, then by all means purchase the harness. Besides, I like doing wiring. It took me longer to wire up my efans the way I wanted than to install the fans themselves!

Now that being said. You may be on to something. I did look up 8877 on summit and made the following observation. I zoomed in on the picture of the IGN coil driver side of the harness. It doesn't look like it follows MSD's instructions. It looks like it plugs into A, C & D instead of A, B & C. Has anyone else noticed that?



As for the truck being picky about the coil, perhaps your right. The 8207 blaster is a hotter/faster coil than the OEM dropin 8231. In any event, you'll note that it's not connected to the truck's distributor just the spark tester which is not picky about coils. It should light up with any type of spark from any coil. I even use it on my kids quads/dirt bikes/sleds to trouble shoot spark issues.


Thanks for the ideas! Keep em comming!

---------- Post added at 10:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:56 PM ----------

What does the led light on box do when you turn on ignition or try starting?

****...there's a LED on the 6A? I didn't notice that! I'll go look in the morning and report back!

 

[SunlitComet]

Maybe the online pdf shows them but I don't see it on yours but here is a ling to testing a unit:
http://www.msdignition.com/page.aspx?id=3206

 

[99Yuk]

Maybe the online pdf shows them but I don't see it on yours but here is a ling to testing a unit:
http://www.msdignition.com/page.aspx?id=3206

Brilliant! I just had a Dope! moment....

Thanks. Just what I was looking for!
I'll look at that in the morning!

 

[stuntmanray385]

check out my youtube..i have a video on there on how to do this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLfe0eeQuAY

 

[99Yuk]

I did a bit more troubleshooting.
It was the new coil.

It had been purchased last year. Sat around in my shed for awhile. Finally I opened the package yesterday. DOA. I'm not going to bother trying to get warranty.

This morning, I shopped Summit Racing for the drop-in 8231 coil. Then I called a local speed shop. The local guy was less $$$. It will be here tomorrow afternoon. Just because it was cheap, I ordered up the 8877 harness too.

We'll see what happens tomorrow!


Thanks for your help guys.

 

[SunlitComet]

Right on.

---------- Post added at 08:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:07 AM ----------

give me all the details. I await with much anticipation.

 

[99Yuk]

So I went and picked up the stuff today.
Plugged everything in and it worked.

Tried to remove the OEM coil from it's bracket. I couldn't. I see that it's pop rivited in. I brought out an angle grinder and tried to grind off the rivits. I could only do one side. I gave up for today. How did you guys remove the old coil?

Everything is MSD now except for that coil. I go back to work next week, so I"ll see if it made any difference or not.


I also took this opportunity to buy THIS block kit!! I'll try to install it tomorrow!

 

[stuntmanray385]

So I went and picked up the stuff today.
Plugged everything in and it worked.

Tried to remove the OEM coil from it's bracket. I couldn't. I see that it's pop rivited in. I brought out an angle grinder and tried to grind off the rivits. I could only do one side. I gave up for today. How did you guys remove the old coil?

Everything is MSD now except for that coil. I go back to work next week, so I"ll see if it made any difference or not.


I also took this opportunity to buy THIS block kit!! I'll try to install it tomorrow!

i used a hammer and a flathead screwdriver...the msd coil came with mounting screws so it was really easy after that.i also changed my ignition module. dont forget your dielectric grease.

 

[99Yuk]

i used a hammer and a flathead screwdriver...the msd coil came with mounting screws so it was really easy after that.i also changed my ignition module. dont forget your dielectric grease.

Thanks for the tip! I'll try that tomorrow morning!

It would be nice to get one of the two coils I bought installed!!!!

 

[AtomicHoe094]

I used a drill and a punch, worked like a charm.. MSD used to give the brackets with the coil a long time ago..

 

[99Yuk]

Here's a couple of installed pics. I didn't get a chance to install the coil today. I'll try to get the shop to install it.

I can't wait to try it tomorrow in DD usage and see what happens...Holidays are over...sigh...

 

[99Yuk]

SparkPlug Questions Answered!

I have a missfire now and am activily hunting it down.
In that pursuit it was time to upgrade my plugs. My existing ACdelcos were in for about 40k kms(25k M).

But what to buy?
I knew that I was going to stick with AC Delco's. Ok. But what kind? And how does the MSD box affect things?

I did some research and discovered that MSD recommends a gap of 040" and run plugs one degree colder than OEM for our 350's. Ok.

Summit Racing lists some pretty fancy platnium and rapidfire AD Delco's for our trucks. But that's not what I wanted. Googling revealed that the regular AC Delco spark plug number for our trucks is C43T, with the 43 being the temp range.


ACDelco part numbers go higher with hotter plugs, so it stands to reason that C42T would be a colder plug, and sure enough it is.

So to recap, if your running a MSD ignition on a 350 5.7l, it's good to run AC Delco PN C42TS spark plugs gapped to 040".

BTW, those plugs are listed for the 4.3v6. So when I placed my order, I was only sent 6 plugs. I had to call back and order up another 2. When the parts guy asked why, and I said they were going into a 5.7l v8, he laughed and said I was crazy. huh...maybe.......like a fox!


I'm posting this up in the hope that it helps someone.

 

[SunlitComet]

Autolite copper core 605's set at .050 -.060. They take better advantage of a complete MSD ignition system with cap, rotor, wires, box and coil. But they usually need changing every year or two. Depending on you driving habits you may need to get one colder. Copper cores gap are easily manipulated and one primary reason for using an aftermarket system is so it is strong enough that you can open up your plug gap and expose more spark. Going to .040 is just a downgrade. In fact you will probably foul your plugs. And this is for the L31 engines.

 

[99Yuk]

Autolite copper core 605's set at .050 -.060. They take better advantage of a complete MSD ignition system with cap, rotor, wires, box and coil. But they usually need changing every year or two. Depending on you driving habits you may need to get one colder. Copper cores gap are easily manipulated and one primary reason for using an aftermarket system is so it is strong enough that you can open up your plug gap and expose more spark. Going to .040 is just a downgrade. In fact you will probably foul your plugs. And this is for the L31 engines.

Thread cleanup: For reference this discussion can be followed HERE.

 

[AtomicHoe094]

we need more stickies