MSD Marine ignitions & coils

[AdamB]

Hi, anybody use MSD ignition? I am in the process of buying a new coil, and am thinking about upgrading completly. I have an '85 Mercruiser... They say they are marine CG approved.

 

[lilmandavis]

Re: MSD Marine ignitions & coils

msd is ok but when it fails, will you be able to rewire it underway? cause everytime ive used multiple spark it goes out. i wont waste the money anymore. an ignition system uses only the voltage necessary to jump the gaps, even though it may have a ton of voltage available. its only goin to use a percentage of it. what kind of engine is this goin on?

 

[newport dave]

Re: MSD Marine ignitions & coils

an ignition system uses only the voltage necessary to jump the gaps, even though it may have a ton of voltage available. its only goin to use a percentage of it.

This is completely wrong, virtually all energy in the coil is used on every ignition event. The energy not used to initiate the spark (firing voltage) will be used in maintaining the spark (burn time).

Anyway, MSD would not be a good choice for your engine. I would use a Thunderbolt IV or Delco EST system.

Dave

 

[AdamB]

Re: MSD Marine ignitions & coils

It's a 350. I have msd in all my cars, like the multiple sparks all low rpms. Just wondering about my boat, figured it couldn't hurt the low rpms, idling etc.l

 

[AdamB]

Re: MSD Marine ignitions & coils

I had a Thunderbolt IV, and upgraded to a GM HEI system multi-port fuel injection system. I need to replace the coil anyhow, so I purchased a high vibration MSD epoxy coil and the 6M (marine) ignition. Runs off of the GM system, just amplifies it and produces multiple spark.

Guess I'll report back how good it is since nobody on this site apparenty uses them. I couldn't find any MSD info on the search feature.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: MSD Marine ignitions & coils

They make a marine MSD 6. It's pretty expensive. I use an MSD 6A on mine, with a Pertronix II point replacement. Ca'nt give a definative critique but mine runs real good.

Years ago I ran a Delta MK 10 Capacitive ignition system on the same boat. It made the points last forever. I had to disable it when my OEM tach died. The replacement wouldn't work with the CD system.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: MSD Marine ignitions & coils

I respectfully disagree with newport daves statement. if you have a system capeable of 50Kv and it only needs 6Kv(about normal) to arc you will see 6Kv on the oscillscope or Kv tester.
which is why as spark ign systems got better and better and reserve capacity went over 70Kv you statred seeing gaps in the .060-.080" range. close the plug gap and firing voltage falls, close it completely and it goes to almost zero. open it up an extra .02 and you will see it spike.
biggest problems we ever ran into with the MSD system is certain plugs tend to burn off the electrodes in 75 hours or so.
the new F250 yamaha ,if it sparks at all, starts at 32 Kv.
most systems from yam, merc,volvo and automotive tend to run between 6-10 Kv. that Kv tester got expensive. I bought a spare one today from snap-on. 269 dollars but my old one was 139 in 1995. but on a stock engine I doubt you will see a lot of improvement over the well maintained stock setup.

 

[AdamB]

Re: MSD Marine ignitions & coils

thanks, I'll report when it's all hooded up.

I know on my 1995 Ford Mustang, unhooking the 6AL lost me approx 500 rpms, proven on the dyno.

I'kll give anything a try to get this beast working before my vacation next week. At least it'll have a new intake manifol, ignition and coil, corvette ece, plugs and wires, distributor and cap... now only if she'd start 8)

 

[rodbolt]

Re: MSD Marine ignitions & coils

how many continuos hours did your stang spend at full load above 4000 RPM?
I am not saying the MSD is bad nor a waste. I am saying dont expect a miricle.
quite a few modern DFI and a few EFI motors use multible spark discharge ign systems, all are fairly hard on plugs and most require either surface gap or multiple electrode or special electrodes that drive the price to over 20 dollars a plug and still only get 100 or so hours.
I deal almost exclusivly with engines that push large heavy hulls 30 miles+ each way and troll 8 hours once they get there.
its not uncommon to see 30 hours on them in a weekend.
but to many times I have seen a lot of time and effort,not to mention cash, laid out to make a decent system better and in the end there was no real life measurable difference. was worse when I did the automotive gig.
a few months ago a customer of mine ran his 28' carolina classic with twin 8.2 volvos at 4900 RPM for 38 miles.
he said he was trying to catch the fleet. what he accomplished was burning all his fishing fuel getting there. he fished an hour and had to head home.
he only holds 245 gallons.
the engines never missed a beat.
they did manage to burn about 50 gallons an hour.
so try it, but dont expect miracles but you can expect certain maint issues to be lenthened and possibly others to be shortened.

 

[AdamB]

Re: MSD Marine ignitions & coils

Well, I said I would report back. I'm not sure how long the MSD will make my plugs last, but I installed the MSD and the engine fire up. I had changed the coil to an epoxy filled MSD first, engine atempted to start but didn't. I discovered after that my engine was really flooded and my plugs were black and wet. Engine still fired with the MSD ignition. I changed the plugs after and it seems to run great. Hopefully it'll last.

 

[Olds Eddie]

Re: MSD Marine ignitions & coils

I converted to MSD ignition this spring and cannot tell any difference in power or starting. It obviously has a hotter spark. I understand that the biggest killer of MSD ignition boxes is heat so make sure it has lots of ventilation.

 

[newport dave]

Re: MSD Marine ignitions & coils

Not trying to bash MSD, but as Olds Eddie said, you just don't see much (if any) improvment over the stock ignition on a stock engine.

My advice to AdamB would be - learn how to disconnect the MSD box and return the system to inductive ignition "on the fly" should it be necessary. Also, plan on more frequent distributor cap replacement and much more moisture and corrosion in the distributor.

Rodbolt,
I know you disagree with me about the firing voltage/firing time thing. That's ok and I respect your opinion. But any scope training program, book, seminar , video, ect will support my statements. Maybe someone else will offer an opinion, I can't be the only one here who uses a scope.

Dave

 

[speedholes]

Re: MSD Marine ignitions & coils

special electrodes that drive the price to over 20 dollars a plug and still only get 100 or so hours.

Are these things made of Adamantium or what? The most expensive plug I have ever seen is not even half that. And that is for multi-electrode platinum or irridium,

But I do agree, I doublt one would notice any difference on a bone stock motor. I hate points, and that is the only reason I would change any part of the ignition.

 

[AdamB]

Re: MSD Marine ignitions & coils

well, I just want to report back after some time spent running. I probably have 50 hrs or so since install, and not 1 problem. I got boarded/ inspected by the USCG yesterday in NJ, and they didn't seem to care about my MPFI system, my MSD 6M system. They checked reg, life jackets, spark arrestor, flares (oops mine were expired) boating license which is required in NJ (oops again). Anyhow, was allowed to continue on and got a paper saying I complied with all federal regs. Nice fishing day and friendly chat with 6 USCG officers.

For the relative cheap cost of the msd6m, I'd have to give it 2 thumbs u!

 

[Scaaty]

Re: MSD Marine ignitions & coils

Hi, anybody use MSD ignition?

Every Drag Racer uses their stuff...it's high performance. Its EXCELLENT stuff. I just don't think you would need it for a simple Marine APP. I'm upgrading a 350 off points now, and a simple Electronic setup complete from Sierra is just fine for marine use. and a hell of a lot cheaper...JMHO

 

[AdamB]

Re: MSD Marine ignitions & coils

Everybody says that marine engines are simple. Huh, I use a MSD 6AL on my 520hp Ford 302 that only sees high revs and abuse once in a while. I always beat my marine engine. Why wouldn't I give it a good ignition. It was possibly the best $300 I spent on my boat yet.

My ECU (computer controlled MPFI) was running rich and fouled the plugs so bad it wouldn't even fire with the stock thunderbolt ignition anymore. Fired right up with the msd stuff.

I'm not trying to sell anybody on the msd system, but it worked for me. Of course, I like to work on engines and try to get the most out of them.