Msd 6al

[nycplumber]

Hi All,

Can platinum spark plugs be utilized on a MSD 6AL?

Thanks!

[tirwin]

What year is the car? Generally I see lots of recommendations against using anything but copper.

[nycplumber]

1983 3.0 cis

[tirwin]

Yea, you should use copper plugs. NGK BP7ES is what I run on my '83 with MSD StreetFire. I can't remember the Bosch plug recommendation but a search should turn it up.

[sc_rufctr]

Generally no but people have done it and the car ran OK but long term, I don't know.

If it was my car? ... NO. "Copper" Spark plugs are relatively cheap and I don't mind changing them.

(I've been running an MSD 6al in my 78 SC for almost 8 years)

[nycplumber]

Thanks!! I just installed a MSD 6AL and it runs like crap, misfiring and can barely rev to 3000 RPMS. Why??

[tirwin]

Are you aware that the trigger wires are reversed from the Bosch/PermaTune to the MSD?

[tirwin]

Here is the correct layout:

Description - MSD Wire - Harness Wire

Coil positive - orange - white
12v switched - red - red
Neg mag pickup - green - green
Coil negative - black - brown
Tach - grey - black/violet
Pos mag pickup - violet - shield side of green wire

Also ensure you run a heavy gauge wire from the starter to the constant +12V on the MSD. Your plug wires should be braided and not solid cores like the original Berus.

[nycplumber]

Thanks! Yes I have it wired just like you stated. I also installed a new set of 8.5 spark plug wires. The only thing is i'm getting 12V constant from one of the three fuses that is being used.

[dicklague]

You need to be sure your are getting a solid reliable 12 VDC up to 7-10 amps.

With my CDI installation, a Daytonal-Sensors CD-1, I had to tap into the large red wirre going to the starter. When I hooked it up so it went through the 14 pin connector and fuse is was very intermittent.

The 14 Pin connector needed cleaning and I did not trust that old fuse, so I tapped into the large red wire in the harness going to the starter and put in a 20 AMP fuse and that solved my intermittent problem and lack of ignition at higher revs.

[timmy2]

Originally Posted by nycplumber

Thanks! Yes I have it wired just like you stated. I also installed a new set of 8.5 spark plug wires. The only thing is i'm getting 12V constant from one of the three fuses that is being used.

That power source is being shared with the rear blower motor. Unless you have it deleted you are running the MSD on a 14 gauge wire with 3 or more amps already on it.
If you are using the fused side the fuse may be getting hot and cutting out.

It might be ok to go this route for a while if you have the heater fan deleted and have the circuit devoted solely to the MSD tapped off the supply side with an inline fuse. But you are relying on the 14 pin connector (pin 14) to be carrying the entire load and the screw terminal on fuse 22 as well.

The best solution is to run a fused circuit with a #12 gauge wire directly to the starter or alternator B+ terminal.

Post up some pictures of your installation to the 6 pin cdi connector as well.

[nycplumber]

Thanks! I will try getting power from the starter..