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MSD-5 Install Qustions
#1127520
12/04/11 03:52 PM
12/04/11 03:52 PM
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YO7_A66
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I just installed my MSD Street Fire ignition which replaced my Chrysler "style" setup. I ran into a couple of minor issues that I need help with.
A) When I connected the "+" battery cable to the battery, I got a few sparks which I don't recall from before. See B. Note: When I was done, I put a test light on the negative battery post and the other end on the un-mounted positive cable and my test light did not light.
B)The instructions say to wire the HEAVY red wire to the positive side of the starter solenoid which I did. This is before the ammeter in the circuit, is this correct?
C) The engine did not want to fire right up but once it did, then it idled at the high idle speed of 1400rpms. My ammeter was solid in the "+" side which is normal and my battery volt gauge showed solid 14ish and my volt gauge for the 12v feed to the MSD showed solid 13.5 or so ("Crank" and "Run" wires). But as soon as I dropped the idle off of high idle to base idle, the ammeter started flickering and both voltage gauges started flickering 12-14 volts real fast.
D) At my base idle rpm, my initial timing is now showing 54 degrees instead of my previous 24 degrees. My Craftsman dial back showed a solid line on the dampner but I gained 30 degrees of initial timing. Is this normal when switching from a Chrysler style ignition to a MSD unit? If so, then I will reset my initial timing.
Thanks
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: topside]
#1127523
12/04/11 04:33 PM
12/04/11 04:33 PM
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YO7_A66
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This box comes with the V8 mode standard.
""A disconnected + cable has no power, = no reading.""
Correct. It appears that there are no leaks when the "+" cable is removed from the battery.
""Did you disconnect the ballast resistor and make a jumper wire for the charging circuit there?"
The ballast was already removed (previous 12v setup, no ballast). BUT, you may have found my voltage problem. Before, I had the two brown wires connected to the blue (run) and the brown (crank). I removed the two brown wires (at ballast hookup) and they are not hooked up to anything right now. I just have the blue (run) and the brown (crank) hooked up to the red 12v switched wire for the MSD unit (with my voltage gauge spliced into the red wire too. I REALLY want to use my volt gauge inside of my car to watch the 12v feed to the MSD unit.)
Note: the LED on the side of the MSD unit showed solid red during the idle rpms when I was having the voltage issue. So it is getting 9+ volts.
Are the two brown wires my issue? I was not sure what to do with them so I left them disconnected.
I have MANY grounds all over the engine compartment.
I may need to pickup a standard timing light and timing tape.
Thanks for the replies
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: mikemee1331]
#1127525
12/05/11 10:45 AM
12/05/11 10:45 AM
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YO7_A66
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I called my local NAPA store to find a standard timing light and their selection has been minimized to one unit that is a digital unit. Is anyone using a digital unit on the MSD? If so, then I will buy it and give it a shot. If not, then I will check with one of the other stores plus find timing tape.
EDIT: I just read that digital units may not work either. I have found a standard timing light and timing tape.
Thanks
Last edited by YO7_A66; 12/05/11 01:06 PM.
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: mikemee1331]
#1127527
12/05/11 10:28 PM
12/05/11 10:28 PM
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YO7_A66
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Three of my local parts stores can not get the standard timing light and/or the correct timing tape, so I went to Summit to review their timing lights and I found one that is a dial back that is "Multi-Spark compatible" for $60. I like this unit because I don't want to mess with the tape and I like my current dial back but it won't read correctly. What do you think about the dial back that is MS compatible? http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EQU-3555/
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: YO7_A66]
#1127530
12/06/11 01:17 PM
12/06/11 01:17 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
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Master
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Quote:
Three of my local parts stores can not get the standard timing light and/or the correct timing tape, so I went to Summit to review their timing lights and I found one that is a dial back that is "Multi-Spark compatible" for $60. I like this unit because I don't want to mess with the tape and I like my current dial back but it won't read correctly. What do you think about the dial back that is MS compatible?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EQU-3555/
I tried that light... my ignition(7al) didnt like
it at all... the best light I have is the Flaming
River and I have a FEW lights
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FLA-FR1001/
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: MR_P_BODY]
#1127531
12/06/11 03:04 PM
12/06/11 03:04 PM
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YO7_A66
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OP
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68: That is a great price for a dial back with MSD capability!!
Mr P: I called Equus tech support and they said that this light is compatible with MSD because they do their in-house testing on MSD systems.
Now you have me worried because I already ordered it. I will find out this weekend.
Thanks for the replies.
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: YO7_A66]
#1127532
12/15/11 12:04 AM
12/15/11 12:04 AM
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YO7_A66
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I used my new dial back timing light and I also got the 54 degrees initial timing, so my old dial back and my new dial back both show the same timing. Can this be that the MSD box added 30 degrees of timing?
My idle rpms went up by about 250rpms too and as I rev up the rpms in neutral the exhaust sounds like crapt.
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: YO7_A66]
#1127533
12/15/11 08:47 AM
12/15/11 08:47 AM
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Space Station #5
471Magnum
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54 degrees is about what you'd get with mechanical (25) and vacuum (18) advance kicked in on top of initial.
Make sure the vacuum is disconnected and plugged. Make sure your rpm isn't so high that the mechanical advance is coming in.
Or, wind it up to 2500-3000 rpm and set the advance at ~34 (with the vacuum disconnected).
-Jim
I can fix it... my old man is a television repairman.
He's got the ultimate set of tools... I can fix it.
Currently Mopar-less
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: 471Magnum]
#1127534
12/15/11 10:15 AM
12/15/11 10:15 AM
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YO7_A66
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""54 degrees is about what you'd get with mechanical (25) and vacuum (18) advance kicked in on top of initial.""
I would agree but my current distributor is a non vacuum advance unit that was previously setup at 24 degrees initial and 34 total. I ran it this way for several years and then as soon as I hook up this new control box, I now have 54 degrees at the same idle rpms.
I don't mind just resetting the initial timing but I would like to know first if the cause is from the MSD box or from something else.
I have a vacuum advance distributor coming but I would like to get this one setup correctly before I add in another new part.
Thank you,
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: YO7_A66]
#1127535
12/16/11 12:16 PM
12/16/11 12:16 PM
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YO7_A66
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I wrote the MSD support tech about the additional 30 degrees of initial timing and they are stumped. They thought that my distributor wiring is backwards but that checks out. They also thought that my two distributor wires were touching one of the coil wires or one of my spark plug wires. I re-routed the pickup wires and insulated them inside of a rubber hose to make sure that they are not getting any interference, but I won't be able to start the car back up until late this weekend. The tech never commented on the two timing lights that I am using. http://www.msdignition.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17478 Any other thoughts on the extra timing at idle? Thanks
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: mikemee1331]
#1127537
12/18/11 02:27 PM
12/18/11 02:27 PM
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YO7_A66
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Mike,
I just moved the MSD ground wire from the motor to the main negative battery cable. I also isolated the two distributor wires with rubber fuel line (3/16" wall) and I double checked my wiring and it matched the diagram. But the next time I start the car and if I have the same trouble, I will swap those two wires to see what happens.
Thanks a bunch.
Last edited by YO7_A66; 12/18/11 02:32 PM.
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: YO7_A66]
#1127538
12/18/11 07:16 PM
12/18/11 07:16 PM
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YO7_A66
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I moved the MSD ground wire to the negative battery cable. I swapped the wires at the distributor pickup.
I started the car (fires up immediately even in cold weather) and let it warm up for a few minutes. Then I let the engine come off of high idle to idle rpms and both of my voltage guages are fluctuating between 13-15 volts real fast and my ammeter is fluctuating from just left of straight up to pegged out on the positive side.
My initial timing still shows 52-54 degrees at idle and 60 degrees at hight idle.
When I bring the rpms up to 1600, my ammeter and both voltage gauges become SMOOTH and the ammeter stops fluctuating and stands still straight up. But, the engine is running real rough like the timing is way up there.
I am now wondering if my timing really is off and I just need to lower the initial back down to 24 and see how it runs.
The electrical guage problem seems weird that all three gauges are fine at 1600rpms but they all three start to fluctuate as I start to lower the rpms down. Then when I get it down to the idle rpms, all three gauges are fluctuating pretty bad.
The only wires that I have hooked up to the MSD for 12v is the BLUE/RUN and the single BROWN/CRANK and my voltage gauge.
Before I made this swap, I had the above wires and the two TWIN BROWN wires plus the LIGHT BLUE/YELLOW tracer hooked up with the FBO ecu and I had no problems with voltage at idle.
I attached a photo of my ballast hookup for reference. When I pulled my ballast and added a 12v coil, I just took all of these wires and connected them together. I am wondering if one of these wires still needs to be hooked up.
Only plan: reset initial timing to 24 degrees and see how it runs. But the fluctuating electrical gauges at idle I am stumped.
Any help is highly appreciated.
Last edited by YO7_A66; 12/18/11 07:28 PM.
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: mikemee1331]
#1127541
12/18/11 08:52 PM
12/18/11 08:52 PM
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YO7_A66
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I have not tried a standard light but the motor runs like crapt above 1600rpms. If it is just the light, then it will still run like crapt above 1600rpms even with anoter light. This is why I think that the timing is advancing too much causing it to run like this. My hight idle (1400rpms) was showing 60 degrees so I am guessing that it is in the low-mid 60's at 1600rpms.
I will try and track down a standard light to rule that out.
What if there is enough differences between the FBO box and the MSD box and the 54 degrees that I am seeing is actually correct? I did not move the distributor during this swap and I assumed that I would not have to just in a box swap. What if I am wrong about that?
You did talk me into swapping the wires and I am glad that you did. I think that I had the wires wrong on the new connector that I added and I had electrical tape covering them so I did not see it before today. I will check my alternator wires.
Thank you both.
Last edited by YO7_A66; 12/18/11 08:56 PM.
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: YO7_A66]
#1127542
12/18/11 09:00 PM
12/18/11 09:00 PM
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Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
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Quote:
I have not tried a standard light but the motor runs like crapt above 1600rpms. If it is just the light, then it will still run like crapt above 1600rpms. This is why I think that the timing is advancing too much causing it to run like this.
I will try and track down a standard light.
What if there is enough differences between the FBO box and the MSD box and the 54 degrees that I am seeing is actually correct? I did not move the distributor during this swap and I assumed that I would not have to just in a box swap. What if I am wrong about that?
You did talk me into swapping the wires and I am glad that you did. I think that I had the wires wrong on the new connector that I added and I had electrical tape covering them so I did not see it before today. I will check my alternator wires.
Thank you both.
For the time being... look at this as 2 separate
problems... fix the timing then go back to the
gauge issue... the gauge issue could be as simple as
a voltage regulator or a diode in the alt
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: MR_P_BODY]
#1127543
12/18/11 09:12 PM
12/18/11 09:12 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,154
bethlehem pa
mikemee1331
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bethlehem pa
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Quote:
Quote:
I have not tried a standard light but the motor runs like crapt above 1600rpms. If it is just the light, then it will still run like crapt above 1600rpms. This is why I think that the timing is advancing too much causing it to run like this.
I will try and track down a standard light.
What if there is enough differences between the FBO box and the MSD box and the 54 degrees that I am seeing is actually correct? I did not move the distributor during this swap and I assumed that I would not have to just in a box swap. What if I am wrong about that?
You did talk me into swapping the wires and I am glad that you did. I think that I had the wires wrong on the new connector that I added and I had electrical tape covering them so I did not see it before today. I will check my alternator wires.
Thank you both.
For the time being... look at this as 2 separate
problems... fix the timing then go back to the
gauge issue... the gauge issue could be as simple as
a voltage regulator or a diode in the alt
good
, sound advice! no, there should not be any jump in timing just because you changed ECU. what happens with the wrong timing light is multiple flickers which makes it appear like your balancer is slipping. or you get nothing at all. now if you try solid core spark plug wires, watch out! it looks like a disco ballroom down there!
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: mikemee1331]
#1127544
12/18/11 09:21 PM
12/18/11 09:21 PM
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YO7_A66
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I am using Firecore wires so I assume that these are good. Maybe the voltage issue is what is causing the engine to run poorly the higher I rev it?
I may pull the alternator and the voltage regulator and have them tested. But I will check the wiring to both first.
thanks
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: YO7_A66]
#1127545
12/18/11 09:29 PM
12/18/11 09:29 PM
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Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
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Quote:
I am using Firecore wires so I assume that these are good. Maybe the voltage issue is what is causing the engine to run poorly the higher I rev it?
I may pull the alternator and the voltage regulator and have them tested. But I will check the wiring to both first.
thanks
I think of it the other way... too high of timing
will cause it to break up at higher revs OR its
starting to cross fire... get the timing set at about
34 to 36 degrees total(and you shouldnt need 25
initial) about 16-18 then the rest with mechanical
then more with vac for cruising
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: MR_P_BODY]
#1127546
12/18/11 09:39 PM
12/18/11 09:39 PM
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YO7_A66
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Mr P: I believe that you wrote that this is the light that you are currently using? http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FLA-FR1001/ I am going to return my second dial back and if this is a known good timing light, then I will swap my current unit for this one. Thanks
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: mikemee1331]
#1127548
12/18/11 10:58 PM
12/18/11 10:58 PM
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YO7_A66
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Mike,
No offence taken. The engine ran perfect before the ECU swap so I am assuming that my issues are from my own wiring or from the MSD box installation.
The last ECU was not reliable and I chose this box. I will check the wires around the alternator and trace them back to the firewall to see if there are any issues. Maybe another timing light will give me some insight on the timing.
What is weird is the ammeter bouncing around. It did not do this before the ECU swap. I am wondering if the box is doing something that is making the ammeter and the volt gauges act up.
Thanks again.
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: YO7_A66]
#1127549
12/18/11 11:33 PM
12/18/11 11:33 PM
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Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
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Quote:
Mr P:
I believe that you wrote that this is the light that you are currently using?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FLA-FR1001/
I am going to return my second dial back and if this is a known good timing light, then I will swap my current unit for this one.
Thanks
Yes thats the light I use now days and of all the
lights I own I like that one best... just slide it
over the wire and your done
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: MR_P_BODY]
#1127550
12/19/11 08:36 AM
12/19/11 08:36 AM
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YO7_A66
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I ordered that light and some timing tape. In a few days I will be able to confirm the timing.
Thanks Mr P.
Tonight I plan on checking the wiring on the alternator to make sure something has not come loose.
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: mikemee1331]
#1127552
12/19/11 09:35 PM
12/19/11 09:35 PM
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I was checking my alternator wires and I found that the field wire connector for the two dark blue wires was loose enough to move back and forth. I found that the mounting screw for the male stud came loose so I grabbed my screwdriver and snugged it up. A couple of weeks ago I was moving the heater hoses around and I must have snugged up the alternator harness too tight and once the engine started idling it must have pulled on that electrical connector and loosened it up. I moved the harness and tightened it up so it will not move against the wire connectors. I also cut off both of the field wire original electrical terminals because they were old and loose and I replaced them both. HOPEFULLY this will yeild some good results on my ammeter/gauge issues.
I have the heavy red wire going to the positive battery cable and the heavy black wire going to the negative battery cable.
The 12v MSD wire is fed from my dark blue RUN and the tan CRANK wire and my ""volt gauge is also spliced into this area"". If the volt gauge is going to cause an issue, then I will just pull it out.
I rerouted the MSD coil wires up to the cowl just to get them away from everything electrical for testing.
I ran out of time tonight so I did not get to start it up. I might have my new timing light tomorrow or Wednesday and then I will check the timing again.
Thanks a bunch everyone and I have my fingers crossed.
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: YO7_A66]
#1127553
12/19/11 10:35 PM
12/19/11 10:35 PM
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bethlehem pa
mikemee1331
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Quote:
The 12v MSD wire is fed from my dark blue RUN and the tan CRANK wire and my volt gauge is also spliced into this area.
 hmmmmm................
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: mikemee1331]
#1127554
12/19/11 10:48 PM
12/19/11 10:48 PM
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YO7_A66
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I asked the MSD tech about having the volt gauge wired in there and he said that it would not be affected by the box. I hope that I can keep it wired up but I am not sure yet.
My plan is that the next time I start up the car and I still have the gauges going crazy, I will disconnect this volt gauge to see if the ammeter and the battery voltage gauge clear up.
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: mikemee1331]
#1127556
12/20/11 09:47 PM
12/20/11 09:47 PM
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YO7_A66
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My heavy red wire is on the positive battery cable. Thanks. I have an UPDATE: I swapped the distributor wires (again) and I used my new advanced light (Thanks Mr. P) and I now have good initial timing again. It showed 22 degrees with the new light. So the ECU swap to the MSD only changed by 2 degrees. COOL!! Thank you all for your patience on that one.  ---------------------------------------------- Even though I found the loose connector at the altenator, my ammeter is still bouncing around at idle the same as before (just left of straight up to the middle of the +). But, the two voltage gages are now showing 14v +/- 1/2 volt. So the volt gages cleaned up allot (still jumping at idle rpms from 13.5 to about 14.5) but still not as solid as before. At 1400rpms the ammeter and both guages are solid. Note: After I was done, I shut the car off and put the battery charger on the battery and it started at 75% and went to 100% within a minute or two. Any suggestions on the electrical issue? Thanks again for your patience.
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: YO7_A66]
#1127557
12/20/11 09:55 PM
12/20/11 09:55 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
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Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
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Quote:
My heavy red wire is on the positive battery cable. Thanks.
I have an UPDATE:
I swapped the distributor wires (again) and I used my new advanced light (Thanks Mr. P) and I now have good initial timing again. It showed 22 degrees with the new light. So the ECU swap to the MSD only changed by 2 degrees. COOL!! Thank you all for your patience on that one.
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Even though I found the loose connector at the altenator, my ammeter is still bouncing around at idle the same as before (just left of straight up to the middle of the +). But, the two voltage gages are now showing 14v +/- 1/2 volt. So the volt gages cleaned up allot (still jumping at idle rpms from 13.5 to about 14.5) but still not as solid as before. At 1400rpms the ammeter and both guages are solid.
Note: After I was done, I shut the car off and put the battery charger on the battery and it started at 75% and went to 100% within a minute or two.
Any suggestions on the electrical issue?
Thanks again for your patience.
Change your regulator
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: MR_P_BODY]
#1127558
12/21/11 08:45 AM
12/21/11 08:45 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,443
Indiana
YO7_A66
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,443
Indiana
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I will swap that out.
Thanks again.
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: YO7_A66]
#1127559
12/21/11 07:11 PM
12/21/11 07:11 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,154
bethlehem pa
mikemee1331
master
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master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,154
bethlehem pa
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Quote:
My heavy red wire is on the positive battery cable. Thanks.
I have an UPDATE:
I swapped the distributor wires (again) and I used my new advanced light (Thanks Mr. P) and I now have good initial timing again. It showed 22 degrees with the new light. So the ECU swap to the MSD only changed by 2 degrees. COOL!! Thank you all for your patience on that one.
----------------------------------------------
Even though I found the loose connector at the altenator, my ammeter is still bouncing around at idle the same as before (just left of straight up to the middle of the +). But, the two voltage gages are now showing 14v +/- 1/2 volt. So the volt gages cleaned up allot (still jumping at idle rpms from 13.5 to about 14.5) but still not as solid as before. At 1400rpms the ammeter and both guages are solid.
Note: After I was done, I shut the car off and put the battery charger on the battery and it started at 75% and went to 100% within a minute or two.
Any suggestions on the electrical issue?
Thanks again for your patience.
sweet! now i don't feel like a D-bag for tell you how great MSD ign's are 
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: mikemee1331]
#1127562
12/22/11 08:28 AM
12/22/11 08:28 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,443
Indiana
YO7_A66
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,443
Indiana
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I want the voltage guage on the incoming line to the MSD unit so that I can watch the CRANK and the RUN voltage while driving. This is why I have the gauge hooked up to the small red wire. Once I get time to swap out the voltage regulator, I will see if that fixes the ammeter and my two volt gauges.
I made most of my connections with male/female connectors just in case I need to swap back to my other ignition system. But I am planning on running with the Street Fire box this Spring.
Thanks again for your help.
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: mikemee1331]
#1127564
12/22/11 10:19 AM
12/22/11 10:19 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,443
Indiana
YO7_A66
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,443
Indiana
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I have a volt gauge for the RUN/CRANK/MSD feed, and then I have a volt gauge for the battery.
Sorry about the confusion. I don't get all my details down when I type.
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: YO7_A66]
#1127565
12/22/11 11:38 AM
12/22/11 11:38 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,886
Lost and Spaced
bboogieart
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,886
Lost and Spaced
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I can't beleive you just didn't turn the distrbutor back a tad to see if it ran better. Not as accurate as a light, but would have told you right away if it was causing it to run rough. Could always put it back. Just mark origanal position with a sharpy or something.
I also agree that your gauge issue is unrelated to your ignition problem. But might have been caused by your ignition install. You did say you had some wires at the old ballast connection joined together and it was wrong, didn't you? Might have burned some thing in the charging when hooking wires up. Although a current flow issue from a bad charging system might mess with your ignition, I doubt it would bump it up some 30 degrees.
I have mechanical Aptitude.
I can screw up anything.
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: bboogieart]
#1127566
12/22/11 12:15 PM
12/22/11 12:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,443
Indiana
YO7_A66
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,443
Indiana
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""I can't beleive you just didn't turn the distrbutor back a tad to see if it ran better.""
I thought of doing that but I wanted to see for myself what one timing light versus another would do. It ended up showing me that the swap from the FBO ecu to the MSD box changed my initial timing by just 2 degrees.
My guage appears to be two problems, the loose connector at the alternator and maybe a bad voltage regulator. After I fixed the alternator connector , the gauge fluctuations cleaned up a little but they are currently still unstable. I also have my interior lights and my dash lights dimming/surging as my volt gauges are fluctuating. I have a new VR but now I just need some time to install it and see if it works.
I think that my main problem during the install was that I first hooked up distributor correctly but I had an old dial back timing light. Then I reversed the wires (wrong) at the distributor and used a new dial back timing light. Then I reversed the distributor wires again (correct again) and I used a standard timing light/timing tape and the timing now appears to be accurate.
Thanks for your reply.
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: YO7_A66]
#1127567
12/22/11 12:31 PM
12/22/11 12:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,886
Lost and Spaced
bboogieart
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,886
Lost and Spaced
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Great to hear. Sounds like the regulator should cure your jumpy chargibg system.
I have mechanical Aptitude.
I can screw up anything.
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Re: MSD-5 Install Qustions
[Re: bboogieart]
#1127568
02/20/12 08:59 AM
02/20/12 08:59 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,443
Indiana
YO7_A66
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,443
Indiana
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I now have the fluctuating ammeter/voltage gauges fixed by using the diode that comes with the Street Fire ignition box kit. I added the diode to the SMALL RED wire that the RUN/CRANK 12v input voltage is attached too. I have attached a marked-up schematic showing where I placed the diode. Note: Per MSD, this diode is used in the case of RUN-ON. In my case, it fixed my fluctuating guages at idle. Now I just need Spring to show up so that I can drive the car.
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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than anything else.
