I think this will give me my smooth idle back and allow me to run a wider plug gap.

I'm setting it up to work with my HEI and external mount coil as well as my points-style distributor using the same coil.

I think I can trigger the smaller distributor with either points, the Crane XR-i, or the Mallory Unilite conversion that a good friend is sending me. I want to do back-to-back comparisons with each triggering method to see if there's any notable difference.

If I'm not happy with any of those, I'll get Dave Ray to set me up with an MSD trigger.

Yeah, I'm on an ignition trip once again. Sometimes I just get obsessed with something and can't leave it alone.

I ran a Unilite conversion to trigger an MSD-5, about 20 years ago. This on a car that "had" to start at -30 F. Worked great until the Unilite died. Later found out the Unilites have some durability issues.

I think I remember a threaded conversation with Dave, who said that the Unilite is one of his prefered conversions. He's more "expert" than I, but to me this says more about the "quality" of the other converson kits.

If you widen the plug gap any significant amount, remember that you'll need a set of plugs with the longer side electrode.

I hope you have good results. I have been a fan of MSD for many, many years. They're a lot of fun to see on an oscilloscope screen!

Cool! I have a Fluke Scopemeter, so I'll have to check it out! :D

I work with both DC SCR drives and AC Variable Frequency Drives on drilling rigs, so I've learned to like looking at various wave-forms.

Come to think about it, the CD ignition system can't be that far removed from a VFD. Gotta have precicely timed pulses to convert the DC back into an AC sine wave at the desired frequency.

I got one for christmas and a msd unilite distributer.I havent got to use it yet but I cant wait.I have heard nothing but good about them.

I run a MSD6AL box triggered by a Unilite. Never had a problem with the Unilte. Ive been running it for about 8 years. I ran it with an Accel super coil(the real big yellew one) until 2 years ago I put in the 6AL and Blaster 2 coil. No change in e.t. I was picking up an eng miss at high r.p.m. that I thought was the coil so I upgraded to the MSDal and coil. Turned out to be the factory resistor wire was bad. I replace the resistor wire at the fuse block with a sold core wire. I wired the MSD to a relay and now the Ign wire is only used to trigger the relay so there is a full 12v to the Msd.

I have the MSD6A. I've triggered it with both a Unilite mechanical advance distributor and a competently rebuild Delco window style points distributor, running points, with no dwell variation to 6,500 rpm on a distributor machine.

The Unilite ran 26° by 2,000 rpm and the Delco runs 24° by 2,500 rpm. I'm currently running the Delco because the vacuum advance connected to manifold vacuum provides a slightly smoother idle. Otherwise, performance is identical with either distributor. The timing mark is rock steady at idle with either distributor.

I run about 7.5 volts through the points and unilite module. You can run a full 12 volts through the Unilite module, when using the MSD box, because there is no appreciable current going through the module. Running lower voltage, however, will not hurt anything.

Dave Ray endorses the Unilite for use as a MSD trigger. He does not endorse using HEI electronics to trigger the MSD.

I'd recommend the unilite conversion in your points distributor with a set of points in your glove box, just in case.

BTW, I have an MSD 5 laying around. Don;t want to bother Ebay'ing it. Just ask Chad.

I use an MSD 6AL (hidden) triggered by a Pertronix 1181 (the original design-still available) in the stock dist and a stock coil. Works great and the rev limiter has saved things a couple of times. When I used points with the MSD I had condenser problems. It would break up about 5000 rpm. Install a new condenser and it would rpm OK for a short time, then back to the same old. That was with 8 volts measured at the coil.