Been having this issue with the timing dropping out 3* at rpm/accell and been told by many that which ever gives most retard is proper way. I just found on the msd site a note that says if using an anolog msd box than most retard is correct and digital msd box most advance is correct. I use a Ice digital box, so gonna give this a try and most advanced would orient the plug so + to + and - to - are plugged together. The collar on the end of the dist shaft did nothing for me. Anyone here really up on this?

I have a MSD 6A analog box from the 90's. I also have a MSD start retard box plugged into it.

I lose about 4* with RPM. It started when I plugged in the start retard box.

I too have a collar on the dizzy shaft, but that made no difference.

It's my understanding the retard is normal. I'm OK with that.

That's all I know and have nothing of value to add.

ok, so far the only fix I know is to add a crank trigger. done it with a small block and its dead on steady after that. just reversed plug and either way it loses 3*. thanks

What problem does 3 degrees retard cause as rpm increases? How much performance, ET ?

Check the instructions on the retard box. I think they are automatic unless you ground some wires or plug "0" chips into them.

Not sure, but years ago my small block gain some, i think a 10th going from 34 to 37*. Crank trigger will fix it. If i set my timing at 35 locked it falls back to 32 and maybe more, but i cant see. I was told they retard 1* per 1000rpm. Thats alot.

Put the Firecore distributor back in and put this to bed.

No longer have it. My choices are a crank trigger or a new ice ignition box with matching dist. i'v put it to bed for now. gonna have to live with it awhile. If everyone using a msd mag trigger dist checked there timing at idle and again at rpm. you would have a bunch complaining or asking about this issue that msd says does not exist.

I guess.

I have been running a MSD distributor and 6AL box for 15 years and have never had this problem. I have built 7 or so big block Mopars in the past 11 years all with MSD ignition systems and can’t recall any such problems. I did have one OTB failure on a digital MSD box but that’s about it. 4 of those builds all ran the same MSD 6AL at Pierce Engineering in Lansing on the dyno. At this point I would get rid of your ice ingnition box and get a MSD box or borrow one and see if that it the fix.

Could be the ice ignition box since this is the second msd dist with the same issue. Maybe just not compatible with this box. Crank trigger is best option thou . just search this issue. You will find a few with same issue and if you check msd trouble shooting section, there is a bunch. Have you bought an msd dist. In the last 4 or 5 years?

All the MSD, non digital, boxes I know of have to have the mag. pick up polarity correct, they don't like being reverse at ALL
I've never seen a MSD box with a stock Mopar Magnetic pick up or a MSD distributor wired correctly retard the timing

I’ve purchased 2 or 3 in the past 3 years. No problems at all.

I must be one of the unlucky ones. i do have a Digital inductive box. I tried the plug oriented both ways with dist locked out and not locked, same issue, -3* every time. May be something not really compatible here. Right now i have the plug reversed as thats what gives most advance per msd when using a digital box. I believe this is the only mag pickup box Ice sells as the majority of their boxes are hall effect. i'll just have to deal with it for now and get back to it later.

Is the ICE box suppose to retard after 5000 RPM?
The old Hayes ignition(before it became stinger ignitions) ICU S4 boxes would do that

No, dont think so. Mike at Ice Ignition has never mentioned that. Currently I have the dist unlocked. Timing is set at 28* idle and as soon as i increase the rpm starts advancing and by 2000rpm is 38* and increase rpm further starts retarding, then by 2500rpm is 35* and stays as rpm is increased from there. I could just lock it out again setting it to 36* idle and 33* retard with any rpm. Had same issue with small block msd dist and same box. Added a crank trigger and timing rock solid steady at any rpm. I may just get away from mag pick up all together. thanks