The other issue with going to a CD box is the risk of it crapping out in the middle of nowhere. Question is, is the probably high (5%) or low (0.005%).

Anyone have an MSD S_T_B on them at the wrong time/place?

Suppose same could happen with Ignitor i run. its truly a concern though.

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Gene Chaas
Gold Member 62/ACES
67 SS 427 (http://www.chevelles.com/feature/october2000.html)

Gene,

I have the MSD 6AL in my 68 Z/28 (Mytmouse). It came with the car when I bought it. I really don't know much about much as you can tell from helping me in some of my previous posts so I know less about this.

But, I was going down the road one day and the Z just crapped out on me with no warning. We felt it had to be the 6Al after we checked the coil so I bought a new one and hooked all back up and still no spark. (unfortunately I didn't have the instruction on how to check it out until I bought the new one) As it turned out,however, it was not the 6AL but the Unilite ignition module in my Mallory distributor. It apparently shorted out. This is the same module that Mallory advertises as never varying or wearing out. Now I have a spare MSD 6Al (the old one that was not bad that I replaced) and a $70.00 module that I bought as an insurance policy & keep in my glove box. I will give them credit on the ease of replacing it though. Three wires plug into connectors and two screws and it was vrooom, vroom with no problems since. Knock, Knock (Knocking on wood)

Mytmouse

BTW: The place I bought the new 6AL fom indicated that they will "fail" (not sure what is meant by failure in this context) after a period of use (3-5 years as I recall) but I have not heard of anybody in my travels that has been left stranded due to the 6AL. Just thought I would add this little tidbit of info
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67 SS396 350HP 4 sp 3:55 Posi Butternut Yellow w/Black Vinyl (http://www.pascale.org/Muscle_Cars/Mytmouse/mytmouse.html)
68 RS Z/28 302 350+Hp? 4sp 4:10 Posi, Euro Red on Black (http://www.pascale.org/Muscle_Cars/Myts_Mouse/myts_mouse.html)
70 SS396 350HP 4 sp 3:55 Posi, Black on Black
Mytmouse A.K.A. Robert Stacho

[This message has been edited by Mytmouse (edited 01-25-2001).]

Gene, In '98 I was on the way to Nashville to Chevellabration. On I65 in the middle of Louisville, Ky, the car quit, dead. I luckily coasted to an exit ramp which was downhill, through a red light, and into a parking lot. I suspected the MSD 6AL and quickly bypassed it at the coil. Fired right up and continued on my way. I returned the MSD twice that summer, both times them telling me nothing was wrong. The engine wouldn't start with it connected. After talking to them on the phone, letters, etc., they finally told me if I had the external condenser on the coil connected, to disconnect it. Voila! Started right up and no problems since. Why isn't that in their instructions? I now use it with Pertronix and carry a set of points and condenser in the car and wiring connection sketches with every combination just in case. I firmly believe the MSD is worth it for the rpm limiter. If you break something in the driveline or miss a shift or??, you could lose an engine or worse, a foot. Have you ever seen the aftermath of a clutch or flywheel explosion?

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von '69 300 Dlx SS TC #15 ACES #1575

Gene,

There's always that possiblity (total crapout at the worst time/place) with anything electronic. As much as I'm into electronics I think the whole world is too depended on semi-conductors (transistors) and silicon based things (microprocessors) as they don't like heat/vibration, static discharges, electromagnetic pulse http://www.chevelles.com/forum/eek.gif All are a real possibility. That's why I'm building my own hybrid system. It uses the points in the distributor, however I'm going for a goal 100,000 miles before points changes with the aid of the electronics.

What makes my little set-up nice is it has an emergency over-ride and with the flip of the switch the electronics are by-passed and 100% isolated from the car's electrical system. The ignition is reverbed back to the old break points normal usage as when these vehicles left the factory. If it craps out, I don't even have to get out of the car http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif

Maybe if my prototypes work out, you can help me with some product testing http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

gene,look at nascar,they have 2 boxes in their cars and a switch if one craps out.i think they use msd boxes,or atleast some do.
i put one in my dads daily driver.its been close to 4 yrs now.no problems.....yet.

1 failure in ten years, if your really concerned buy there ready to run distributor so you can bypass the box and run off the distributor.

Gene,

I use a 6AL w/ an HEI. The MSD's installation requires the removal of the HEI module. I carry that module w/the screws and connectors in my "parts box" in the trunk.

If the MSD was to fail, I could hook up the original module and be on my way in 10 Min.

I believe certain MSD dist. need a 6 Box to run so that may not be an option with those dist. But any dist that can run alone, can be wired off the box if it fails.

Just a Thought.

Rob

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67 Malibu Conv (always under construction)
64 Lemans Conv, Building for my brother-in-law
"If You Don't Drive It-Sell It"

Wow i never thought I would see this one. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif I have been running a 6AL in my car for quite a while with no problems at all. i also had one of the first style 6 boxs in my El Camino the bow was already years old when I got it put it in the car and drove it everday with it. The is no greater probabilty of th box failing then there would be anything else such as factory components. I have driven both cars both long and short trips with never a single worry or hiccup from the ignition system the el was a converted HEI with MSD coil and 6 box. The Chevelle has the billet 8101 distributer 6AL box and blaster 3 coil. would use it again and again with out any problems My father has had a 6A on his Camaro for at least 10 years that I can remember. have fun keep cruisin.

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70 Chevelle 350/700R4
soon to be 406

Gene, why are you asking? Did you have one fail? Thinking about buying one? I've had mine in three different cars in the last 11 years all daily drivers. No problems. My MSD distributors cannot run alone.

Lonnie

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70 Chevelle 15.01 @96
67 Camaro street strip 11.63 @117.6
67 Camaro daily driver 12.27 @108.6
www.geocities.com/lonnie67_1966 (http://www.geocities.com/lonnie67_1966)

Here is some more history on MSD6ALs: http://www.chevelles.com/forum/Forum10/HTML/004154.html

I have sent the 2 boxes to MSD (Jan 18). But I have not heard from them yet. I suspect the cause is in my wiring. I have the same setup on my chevelle but it is all new. Once I get the boxes back and the camaro rewired, I keep the other units as spares.

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Jeff Angerstein
ACES#841 TCG#158
68 SS396(454)
68 Pro Street
69 SSRS 396(427) 4spd
87 MC SS

My Chevs (http://www.tcg158.homestead.com)
My Favorite (http://tcg158.homestead.com/files/drvr.jpg)
If you don't have time to do it right, make sure you have time to do it over!

Lets all hope that we Never have an electromagnetic pulse!!!! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/eek.gif

I think this question could be asked about any part in our cars. They Will ALL fail at some point. I have had no problems with the MSD 6AL in my 69.

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RYAN REEVES
RRCHEVL69@AOL.COM
Don't get your panties in a bunch, it is just a small block.

427L88, I run an entire Mallory system in my Chevelle and on my HyfireIVa box they actually supply you with a little harness that makes it so if you think the box fried you can unhook the harness from the distributor and run it as normal, coil to distributor. I also paid like 32.00 for this little piece that keeps voltage spikes from ruining the unilite modual MSD might have something like it too. I got it from Summit Racing, Mallory calls it an active power filter. Check it out might be worth the $$$. Dave.