How to BENCH TEST a MSD 6AL unit

[Truetriplex]

I have a 65 ford 427 with manual transmission. It has the original Ford distributor (with a Pertronix unit) and is running with a stock coil. I was given a MSD 6AL box, but am not sure if it works (they claim it is good0. How do I BENCH TEST this unit BEFORE I put it in the car. Once it goes in, it is VERY difficult to get to without removing a parts.

[FatBoy]

If you go to the MSD website, there are instructions on how to test it. From memory, you need to connect a 12V supply to the thick red lead and Earth the black lead. Connect the Orange and black leads to the coil and hold the HT lead from the coil about 1/2" from a good earth and then touch the white lead to earth. When to pull the White off earth you should get a spark from the end of the HT lead to earth. If it does, it's working. If it doesn't, check the website to confirm that what I've said is right.

Paul

[Mark IV]

If it is difficult to get at perhaps you may want to use something else (Crane, Mallory, Etc.) as the track record of MSD quality of late has been "spotty" to be polite.

Do some searching.....there is a reason they run a spare, hot switched MSD box in NASCAR and even they are switching despite the boxes they get not being Chinese.

[Bernica]

I had my share of issues and actually pulled the entire MSD system out of my car and went with the Pertronix Flame Thrower Distributor and have never looked back. Watching the spark before and after was like night and day!