> MSD is not too reliable. I put a Duraspark in mine from parts from a regular
> autoparts store.
You'll find people who have had reliability trouble with most electronic
ignitions, including the Duraspark. Even my 5.0L Ford HO was the subject
of a class-action lawsuit concerning the unreliable TFI ignition module.
If you run an MSD-6AL, carry a spare box or, if you have a ful distributor,
use the jumper to bypass the box if it fails.
> Roland, you won't like the MSD, the 6AL model has a rev limiter and a
> cylinder cut out.
I like my MSD-6AL's. They do exactly what they say they do. I've had one
fail and MSD repaired it free of charge. I carry a spare on trips.
> My customers removed all of they'res and we're much happier
> with std hei distributors.
HEI modules have limitations at higher RPM. Few 351C's run them since they
are a GM distributor but there are places like DUI that will convert a Ford
distributor to the coil-in-cap HEI.
> I'm looking for a customer for a programable ignition. I never worked with a
> system like that. What is recomendet? MSD? Which one works on a windsor with
> MSD distributor and 6AL? Is the Digital 7530T or the 7531 the right one?
MSD makes a wide variety of timing contollers and programmable ignitions.
Some are as simple as a knob that allows you set the initial advance,
some add start retard, others allow you to define a monotonic curve (initial
and total timing plus slope), others give you full control over the timing
curve. In general, the 6 series are for street and many race applications.
The 7 series are full-on race ignitions that put out a serious spark for
very high compression ratios, nitrous, and supercharged applications.
The 7530T and 7531 models you mention would replace the MSD-6AL that your
customer already has and may require a different coil. Those are 7 series
which means very good wires, grounding, and regular inspection of parts.
The 8981 Programmable Timing Computer is an add-on analog device that plugs
into MSD-6AL box that allows you set the initial and total timing, plus
the slope of the curve and a high RPM retard. The curve is done by turning
selectors on the box itself. If you need something beyond that, you'll be
looking at a Multi-Function Ignition Controller like p/n 8979. 8979 allows
you to more completely map a timing curve like you might do in an EFI
computer. It's an add-on device (to the MSD-6AL) that does what the 7530
and 7531 do ignition-wise.
If starting from scratch, Crane has a new distributor with timing adjustment
controls built into the distributor itself.
Dan Jones