[RICK LAKE]

Kramer I have found a couple of problem running the FI system and MSD togeather. When starting if the battery volts is 10.7 or less, you have poor voltage to the MSD and is hard starting. I am running a 800cca battery that is fully charged and have a trickle battery tender on it all the time. 12.45 volts is not enough some times when starting. I have talked to guys that are running 16 volt batterys. We measure everything by amp drain and forget about voltage loads too. Starter cranking, if a mini 90 to 160 amps, Msd on startup 40-60 amps, fuel pump(s) 20-30 amps, EFI computor 8-10 amps. I have the 63 Alt in my car. It is at max load with the coolant fans on (3) and the amp gauge is pinned to 60 volts. It is not recharging the battery until the fans kick off. PAperformance or Madalt both have kits for running larger charging systems. I need really go to a 95 to 110amp charging system. The amp gauge will have to be changed to a voltage gauge. You said you gauge doesn't move with the car running and only dips a little. Your Alt could be not spinning fast enought to charging. Either you are not charging or you are using the max charge the alt is putting out at idle. Mine drops at idle about 15-20 amps with fans on. With a higher charging system you will need to rewire for a voltage meter. Amp meters can safely handle 60 amps with 80 amp surges. Put a volt meter on the car when idling and is what the voltage is. Should be about 13.8 to 14.2 volts. If you are in the 12.8 - 13.2 at idle with just the basics running, it is not enough. You could have weak spark from the MSD even thou the car is running. Get some test numbers with stuff at idle and at 2,000 rpms. Volt readings will tell the story. The updated kit with a 100 amp alt and external voltage regulator is about $300.00 with a #4 gauge charging cable with built in max fuse of 200 or 250. You will want to change to a voltage gauge on the dash. Are you running under size pulleys? Rick L.