MSD 6-AL ignition system? : MGB & GT Forum : The MG Experience

MSD 6-AL ignition system? #1
timbo40 Timothy Anderson Roswell, GA, USA Sign in to contact 1977 MG MGB "Red Munchkin"	Topic Creator (OP) May 23, 2010 06:30 PM Joined 16 years ago 526 Posts

Hello everyone?
Guy local to me has a nice RB MGB listed on Craigslist.
He states it has a MSD 6-AL ignition system.
I'm fairly new to the MG realm, but have not seen any mention on here about such an ignition system.
Can anyone give me any info on this, and whether it is something good or potentially bad to have on an MGB?
Thanks in advance.
Cheers,
Tim

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Re: MSD 6-AL ignition system? #2
RSS Rick Stevens Northern, VA, USA Sign in to contact 1973 MG MGB	May 23, 2010 06:44 PM Top Contributor Joined 19 years ago 11,360 Posts

I've got a MSD-6A on my '73. From idle up to about 3k RPM, it does provide a more smooth burn. That seems to be most noticeable at idle, but I think that's an artifact of the fact that the more revs you're running the closer together the individual sparks are - making the gap less noticeable. I didn't do any real before-and-after measurements so I can't say more than that it "feels better". If it's already installed and working okay, leave it in place - can't hurt, might help.

As for the "L" in 6AL, that means you can set an upper rev limit with the device, meaning it can act as a governor. I use my ears and common sense for that, but I don't race the car.

A great man is hard on himself. A weak man is hard on others.

“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” ~Maya Angelou

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Re: MSD 6-AL ignition system? #3
Dwoods David Woods Wiilliamston,mi, USA Sign in to contact	May 23, 2010 09:37 PM Joined 15 years ago 20 Posts

I installed a Mallory Hyfire 6 last summer works great. I think the potential issues you could have is the installation. I mounted mine under the dash on the passenger side to keep the engine bay looking original and protect it from heat. As long as install is clean you should be fine. You can always dowload the manual from MSD which will include the schematics for your setup.

If you wanted to you could double check the correct coil is installed CD ignitions typically require a coil around 3 ohms which you can measure the primary side.

Good luck

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Re: MSD 6-AL ignition system? #4
B-racer Jeff Schlemmer Shakopee, MN, USA Sign in to contact 1950 Willys Jeep Pickup "Ratrod" 1964 Land Rover Series IIA 1971 MG MGB	May 24, 2010 08:30 AM Top Contributor Joined 19 years ago 20,899 Posts

British cars run on about 12-15K volts, so a high-end system isn't really necessary. There have been a LOT of talks of MSD failures ove the last couple years, plus on an MGB you'll likely need the coil adapter (another $60), a 1.5 Ohm coil ($35+), and a special set of helical-wrapped plug wires to reduce RFI noise which can create misfires - either the MSD brand, or one of a few others that cost $50+ per set. The MSD box neds to be part of a complete system, or it'll never do what you expect of it. Chances are good that this guy is selling his MSD box that he got back from a warranty claim, out of frustration (suggested from my own experience).

jeff@advanceddistributors.com

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Re: MSD 6-AL ignition system? #5
underdog Jim Underwood Pittsburgh, USA Sign in to contact 1972 MG MGB 1980 Triumph TR8 "Fabulous Trashwagon" 1999 Chevrolet Corvette "Darth Vader" 1999 Chevrolet S10 "Spare Change" & more	May 24, 2010 09:33 AM Joined 18 years ago 10,355 Posts

I have 6ALs on both of my cars and in my old Motorhome that a friend now owns. Never a problem with any of them but they were all purchased many years ago. If there are recent problems, I am not aware of them. I do have the MSD coils, Crane wires and Mallory distributors. The tach in the 72 MGB works fine without an adapter. The TR8 needed the adapter but I have since switched to a tach from The Wedgeshop that is modified to work with any electronic ignition. The whole system on my B definitely cleaned up the idle. Also the rev limiter has come in handy a few times at the autocross.

As I understand your post, you are looking to buy a car not just an MSD unit. If the car is nice I certainly wouldn't pass on it because of the MSD ignition. Easy enough to remove if you decide you don't want it.

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Re: MSD 6-AL ignition system? #6
Mr. Barry Edward Wesson Hiawassee, GA, USA Sign in to contact 1960 MG MGA 1600 "Alfred 2"	May 24, 2010 03:31 PM Joined 16 years ago 2,374 Posts

Don't know about MSD use on MG's, but there have been a load of problems on the Cobra forum....One of the big problems, has been with a buildup of condensation within the distributor cap , on the MSD dizzy....
The 6AL unit itself, has been the cause of a myriad of problems, and is very sensitive to minor electrical problems....
I wouldn't let that stop me from buying a nice car, but I would change it as soon as I bought it.

"It's not a car....It's a CAREER!"

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Re: MSD 6-AL ignition system? #7
mgbgts Rob Meier Croton, OH, USA Sign in to contact 1956 MG Magnette ZA 1957 MG Magnette ZB 1962 MG Midget 1966 MG MGB GT & more	May 24, 2010 03:46 PM Joined 18 years ago 2,351 Posts

I have a 6-al on mine. Worked great for 6-7 yrs until I welded on the car without taking the ground wire for the box loose.
Now, with the new one, I can't get it to stop missing over 3500rpm (the tach also goes dead right after it starts missing), and the tech line refuses to admit there could be an issue with the box, even after talking with them several times, and doing everything they suggest to fix it. No matter what I try, they just keep saying it's got to be in the car. They even told me I just got lucky that my tach worked fine with old one!!!
I'd like to shove the new one where the sun don't shine with them, but I'm now stuck with it, as I've had it too long for them to take it back to take it back (plus Jeg's where I bought it, checked it on the MSD test bench they have, and say it's fine, so they won't take it as a return). $200 buck's down the crapper.
Sorry, just venting a little.

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Re: MSD 6-AL ignition system? #8
Mr. Barry Edward Wesson Hiawassee, GA, USA Sign in to contact 1960 MG MGA 1600 "Alfred 2"	May 24, 2010 03:49 PM Joined 16 years ago 2,374 Posts

In reply to a post by mgbgts I have a 6-al on mine. Worked great for 6-7 yrs until I welded on the car without taking the ground wire for the box loose.
Now, with the new one, I can't get it to stop missing over 3500rpm (the tach also goes dead right after it starts missing), and the tech line refuses to admit there could be an issue with the box, even after talking with them several times, and doing everything they suggest to fix it. No matter what I try, they just keep saying it's got to be in the car. They even told me I just got lucky that my tach worked fine with old one!!!
I'd like to shove the new one where the sun don't shine with them, but I'm now stuck with it, as I've had it too long for them to take it back to take it back (plus Jeg's where I bought it, checked it on the MSD test bench they have, and say it's fine, so they won't take it as a return). $200 buck's down the crapper.
Sorry, just venting a little.

You will see many many similar complaints on the Cobra forum...MSD doesn't give a tinker's damn about problems...It is ALWAYS the customer's fault.

"It's not a car....It's a CAREER!"

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Re: MSD 6-AL ignition system? #9
B-racer Jeff Schlemmer Shakopee, MN, USA Sign in to contact 1950 Willys Jeep Pickup "Ratrod" 1964 Land Rover Series IIA 1971 MG MGB	May 24, 2010 04:07 PM Top Contributor Joined 19 years ago 20,899 Posts

Buy the car, if the rest of the car is good. The MSD box can be removed in about 5 minutes if it gives you fits.

jeff@advanceddistributors.com

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Re: MSD 6-AL ignition system? #10
timbo40 Timothy Anderson Roswell, GA, USA Sign in to contact 1977 MG MGB "Red Munchkin"	Topic Creator (OP) May 24, 2010 07:04 PM Joined 16 years ago 526 Posts

Thanks for the advice.
Yes, it's the entire car I'm talking about.
Seems to be a good driver. Haven't seen it yet, but he's come down a little on his price from a week ago.
I might could get it at a better price.
Gotta admit, the electronics are way above my head. I would probably just opt to leave the MSD unit alone if its working okay, but pull it out at the first sign of trouble.
Thanks everyone!
Cheers,
Tim

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