Update: Marelli dizzy, no CD box - ignition options, installed an MSD 6AL

[CamB]

There, that topic ought to help anyone searching the archives in the future...

I installed the MSD 6AL over the weekend into my 1969 'T' which is just running points and a coil on the Marelli. I am still running the existing coil (I have an MSD coil but it wouldn't fit in the bracket (too small) so I have to buy an MSD bracket, I guess??) and Bosch inductive core wires (Magnecor not available here).

I attached the Beru connectors to the Bosch wires for the moment - the wires are a temporary fix only until I can figure out a better plan, but I know the wires plus the Beru is not smart - I was just concerned about the MSD instructions against using solid core wires.

Plus, one of my Berus is faulty (which was not helping running at all). I have left this out and attached the regular Bosch spark plug end - what a freakin mission it is getting a standard plug end onto those plugs. If it was easier I would have done all six that way (wires aren't solid core, remember, so have some resistance).

I put the MSD in on Saturday before changing the plugs or wires and it still ran heaps better. After Sunday's new plugs and wires the improvement is even better.

So, I still need to shorten and tidy the wiring on the MSD (mounted where the factory CD box was, I moved what I think is the voltage regulator to the back wall - I have no sound pad), mount the MSD coil and come up with a better solution for plug wires, but all in all a vast improvement in driveability and low and midrange torque/power. Starts easier, idles well, picks up cleanly - I bet I get better mileage too.

Oh, and I need a tach adaptor, I think. And I am still running the Marelli.

As an end result, I would recommend the MSD box based on 2 days use to anyone running Webers, points and a coil! Unfortunately I have no idea how much better it is than stock CDI on a Webered car, but if originality isnt important to you and your factory CD box goes out, it may be worth a look.

Has anyone had success hooking one up without the tach adaptor? I connected the tach to the coil and the MS (multiple spark) of the MSD caused it to misbehave.

Final point - hookup is a piece of cake (wiring without shortening wires took <5 mins), but mounting the unit is trickier cause it is pretty big. I will post a pic of the mounting if I can borrow a digital camera.

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Cameron Baudinet
1975 911S (in bits)
1969 911T

[Oldporsche]

I am using an MSD 6AL unit with a pertronix unit in my distributor. It works very well. (Tach Too) I am still working on an acceptable spark plug wiring set up. I have thought a lot about using Taylor or FOMOCO(Ford) wires. I havn't looked yet at the MSD wires.

Good luck,
David Duffield

[Matt Smith]

Noah, are you using the 6AL or the 6A? I wonder if the tach problem only rears its head with the 6AL.
Cam- that purple/black wire is the same wire you were trying. It goes into the distributor body pin on the CDI cars. I think Mr PO just stuck it straight onto the coil in its last life.

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'72 911 TE

[CamB]

Matt,

I think you and Noah are right, and over on Rennlist Steve from Rennsport has posted the same solution. If it wasn't on the part of the box we mounted over by the fuel pump with only 2cm clearance I would go try it now . The wire in question is wrapped in electrical tape so I can't tell if it is the black/purple.

Will try tonight - I hope it works. On mounting the coil, the MSD coil mount is US$5.95 and
CHROME .

So I will try and get one of those (not so simple in New Zealand if they don't stock it).

Woohoo, I could have a working tach soon (am trusting the MSD rev limiter at the moment).

Oh, for the historians out there, the non-working CD box in there was NOT the original - it was a "Delta" brand and looks (from the exciting graphics on it) to be circa 1975... anyone recognise the brand? I think it is made in USA.

Cam

[This message has been edited by CamB (edited 10-08-2001).]

[Matt Smith]

Chrome that little Delta baby too and use it as a paperweight.

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'72 911 TE

[CamB]

Ahhhh crap.

I plugged in the black/purple wire as described and nothing on the tach. Nada, not even a flicker.

I believe from stuff I read that this is because the tach needs high voltage pulses and the MSD provides a tach output as "20v square wave" (from the literature).

I think the MSD tach adaptor is nothing more than a step-up transformer (I concept I understand but not the electronics behind it - it steps the voltage up at the expense of amps, yes?).

So, looking for anyone else with experience on this - remember the car is a '69 T, so may have a different tach to those on later cars????

Thanks

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Cameron Baudinet
1975 911S (in bits)
1969 911T

[Joe Bob]

If you run the Crane Allison optical ignition you do not need a tach adapter....

[CamB]

Update:

I installed the MSD 8910 tach adaptor over the weekend and the tach works fine now. The adaptor is wired with the white wire spliced to the points trigger/tach signal wire and a red wire spliced to a switched 12v. I guess it just ups the voltage of the points trigger.

As Matt Smith did not need the adaptor (his tach worked off the points without the tach adaptor), I assume the change-over was between 69 and 72.

Thanks to all for help and suggestions.

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Cameron Baudinet
1975 911S (in bits)
1969 911T

[Early_S_Man]

Cam,

The '69 T used the same tach, connection as all '65 thru '68 911's.

The '69 CDI cars (E and S) used the ballast unit, as did all of the 2.2 cars thru the end of the '71 model year.

The '72 and later tachs did not need a ballast unit and hooked directly to the points.

I hope that makes everything as CLEAR AS MUD!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa
1992 Dodge Dakota 5.2 4X4 parts hauler