Installed duraspark with MSD today

[Anonymous]

Today I put in a new duraspark, msd 6a, msd blaster 2 coil, summit 8mm wires, and bosch plats in the car. I set the base timing a 12*. The car runs and accerates alot smoother. But, I'm not very impressed with little or no preformance improvment. I thought I would get alittle more pep. Still a good step toward bigger mods. Is there any tips on better ignition set up? I gaped the plugs a .055. Could I have missed somthing? Ty

 

[addo]

How's your compression ratio?

 

[MustangSix]

There is no "magic bullet". The ignition is only one critical piece in the system. It is not responsible for great gobs of power.

If your old system was working well and firing the engine well, you can't expect great deals of power from another working ignition. What you will get is more rapid starts, better idle quality, and perhaps better fuel mileage since you are now firing more consistently.

You've also gained the ability to fire an engine under more stressful conditions such as high compression or high speed.

 

[Anonymous]

The car runs and accelerates alot smoother.

That's always a good sign. You should pick up 1-2 mpg. You can open your gap up to .060" no problem. Some stock Duraspark systems ran .055"

Where did you mount the MSD? I found out the hard way that they are much happier inside the cab of the car...

 

[Anonymous]

I mounted it where the wiper fluid pump was. I

 

[63redtudor]

I converted my '65 to DS2 a while back & just recently the '63 to Pertronix. You're not going to notice a massive performance increase, if any at all actually. You will most likely pick up a few miles per gallon. The main thing is that the system is more maintenance-free & starts easier. The biggest difference I've noticed is that starting on a cold day is much, much easier. All things being equal, I prefer the electronic ignition.
Edwin

 

[plastic-idol]

When I converted to pertronix, the biggest thing I noticed was an increase from 19-21mpg to 24-27mpg.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd say your 'new' DS distributor may have a slower 'smog era' advance curve compared to your old dizzy, espicially if it was a store baught unit... they tend to have crappy advance curves out of the box, kinda universal for a lot of different applications..

But as they say, the more mods you do to your engine, the more important a good ign sys is... So it is a good foundation to start..

I personally can't stand to goof around with points anymore, I've converted every car I have (and other family members cars) to Pertronix or equivalents... So the maintainance free aspect is definately a plus..

 

[Anonymous]

Oh, and I'd say make sure your MSD is getting full 12v on the 'switched' side (small red wire).. I'm not sure if it would even work hooked up to the old coil resistor wire, but ya never know...

And make sure the MSD is grounded good (battery ground)

 

[Anonymous]

Ya, the dura is store bought. I gounded to the block. I may change it to the neg on the battery. I never checked on the voltage from the ignition. I will be modding to the 200, so I know it will be worth it in the long haul. Thanks for the replys. Ty

 

[Anonymous]

My experience with a store bought DS2 was that the advance was WAY off. I had 36deg advance weights so my total timing was in the 60's (!!) which is a big problem.

There is a good thread up above, but rule of thumb is 36deg (mechanical + initial) with no more than 54deg (total including vacuum).

Disconnect your vacuum advance and check your timing. You may have to find new weights or modify the existing ones to reduce your mechanical advance. You want about 20deg advance with the weights, 16deg initial to hit your 36deg total. The DS2 has an adjustable vac advance can so you can easily adjust that where you need it.