MSD Issue

[FatBoy]

Hi,
I've installed an MSD 6AL on my Kirkham and I'm getting very close to the big moment when I can start it up. I've done all the other pre-startup things like ensure I have oil pressure and fuel pressure etc.
However, I don't have a spark at the plugs when I turn it over. If I test the MSD as suggested in their instructions, I get a big fat spark, but nothing when I actually crank the engine. I have an MSD distributor and coil and I'm using the magnetic pickup connection to the MSD (green & purple wires).
I've had a look inside the distributor and all appears well. If I rock the advance mechanism forwards and backwards, I also get a spark, but only if I do it quickly.
I've been cranking it over on a single, new battery (there will be 2 of them installed), could it be that a single battery just doesn't have enough power to turn it produce a spark?
Your suggestions would be welcome.
Thanks,
Paul

[Barry_R]

Make sure that your 12v "key on" connection also has 12v while in the crank position. Some ignition switches may separate the two because factory points systems use a resistance bypass circuit (tied into/fed from the "I" terminal on the old Ford starter relays).

[Danr55]

I know this sounds like a dumb question, but do you have the rotor in the distributor? (I've been taking lessons from the young man up the street!)

[FatBoy]

Originally Posted by Barry_R

Make sure that your 12v "key on" connection also has 12v while in the crank position. Some ignition switches may separate the two because factory points systems use a resistance bypass circuit (tied into/fed from the "I" terminal on the old Ford starter relays).

Interesting point Barry. I hadn't considered that. However, I believe I have wired it into the correct point as recommended by Kirkham. But it is worth checking. Thanks.

Dan,
Might sound dumb, but it was still worth asking

Thanks,
Paul

[xlr8or]

Also make sure you are maintaining more than 11Volts to the MSD box when cranking. Any less and it will fail to spark.

[Greg Haile]

FatBoy,

Ensure that your heavy red and black wires coming out the 6AL run DIRECTLY to the positive and negative terminals respectively on the battery. There is no substitute for this direction and will be one of the first questions the tech from MSD will ask. Good luck.

Greg

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

May be related to my issue...I have a new ready-to-run MSD in my FE and am ready to fire it up for the first time and guess what? No spark. Might this be related to the dist. cap issue? All my connections have been double-checked and I have fuel and a new battery (and a new Blaster coil).

[601HP]

I experienced the identical problem when first starting up our 1966 Mustang last summer. I could get the MSD system to spark manually when doing as FatBoy described. Once I did it with my hand in the coil discharge path and DAMN that hurt, but the engine would not fire during the starter cranking cycle. I tried a fully-charged battery from my F350 diesel Powerstroke, and it made no difference because the battery was not the root problem.

After a week of part time diagnosing, some calls to MSD and a lot of back and forth checking, the problem was:

I had chosen a 12v "key on" wire to the 6AL box that wasn't providing the 11v minimum during the cranking cycle. When I chose another wire to be the 12v "key on" wire, the engine fired up immediately.

David

[Steve Gallegos]

I was told by my mechanic, who works on cobras,GT 350 and 500's, and races these cars, to use an oil called Pen Green 50W, it is made for the old engines, I have a 351W. I asked him about the problem with the MSD drive gears going out. He said that because the EPA had a certian additive removed from the oil years ago, the grears don't hold up as well and break down. This Pen Green oil is approved for racing , off road and works fine. They have had no problems with the MSD gears breaking.

[FatBoy]

It turned out that is was using the wrong feed to the MSD. The one I had connected wasn't live during the cranking cycle, as had been suggested by Barry above. Well done Barry.

The correct wire on the Kirkham loom is pink and was tucked up under the dashboard. Once corrected, it started straight away.

Thanks for your input.

Paul

[rokndad]

I've had all of these symptoms.....the 6AL box checks out, the cap and rotor are new, the box and coil triggers manually, but nothing (no spark) at cranking. Have 11v to the box while cranking and 13.6v when off. No spark or intermittent spark to pugs.....tried all the MSD diagnostics but found something out that nowhere does MSD talk about. THE GAP BETWEEN THE MAGNETIC PICKUP AND THE RELUCTOR.

It is possible to install the magnetic pickup too far away from the 8-point reluctor for it to trigger the box. They should tell you to gap it at no more than .025" then set the two cap screws and seal it with some RTV. And don't forget to put a thin coating of machine oil on the exposed metal parts.....they rust. Fires right up every time now.