MSD ignition?

[mnypitboat]

I have been having an issue that I think is distributor related. I recently rebuilt my engine and have since had a weird issue. I cant get the timing to sit at 8. I set it, run it, and check it and its way off again. On the water it will bog and ping, then take off like a scared rabbit. Then on plane it will be running perfect, then bog out and start pinging then take off again. As if the advance or something is getting stuck or something.

2 of the screws that hold on the cap had to be cut off and the distributor had a lot of corrosion on it, so I figure its time to replace it. I was hoping to get through the year due to the huge expense of the engine earlier this year.

OK so on to my question. I found a complete MSD set up cheap. It is basically this one, http://www.jegs.com/i/MSD+Ignition/121/8560K/10002/-1
for $350. It is supposed to be like new. That is cheaper than I can get a Mercruiser dizzy, coil, controller box, and cap and rotor. Even used.

What do you think? I did a search for MSD on here but cant find anything. I have used MSD in car applications and have been happy with the results. I am hoping for similar results here.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: MSD ignition?

Oh and I ran it off a gas can and have the same issue. Ran it off an external fuel pump, and again same issue. I am rebuilding the carb this winter, but I dont think it is that. It seems timing related to me.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: MSD ignition?

I would check (lube) the weights/springs in the distributor and see if it fixes the issue.

There is a lot of corrosion in there. I tried to free it all up, but not having much luck. It looks like it works ok, until I get it back out on the water.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: MSD ignition?

Does anyone have any experiance with the MSD? I could probably resell it for more than I paid. I will probably try it for a while unless I hear something really bad about it.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: MSD ignition?

I guess everyone's just guessing you're working on a sbc, so I'll run with that too.

That is cheaper than I can get a Mercruiser dizzy, coil, controller box, and cap and rotor. Even used.

keep shopping - you can get the Delco Voyager system brand new for less than the used stuff you are getting pitched... MSD is prolly fine, but one well timed spark is all you need
$320 - wires and all:

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: MSD ignition?

I guess everyone's just guessing you're working on a sbc, so I'll run with that too.


keep shopping - you can get the electronic system mercruiser uses brand new for less than the used stuff you are getting pitched...
$320 - wires and all:

Yes its a SBC 350, sorry about that. I saw that kit several places for as low as $300.

The MSD unit I am getting is new in a box, so I am sure it will be fine. I was hoping to get a better spark out of these units than stock. I have had good luck in Automotive applications. I was more looking for opinions on the MSD units than other options.

 

[PBarrett]

Re: MSD ignition?

I installed a Mallory YLM624 about 3 months ago and I couldn't be happier with it's performance. Plus, it's designed for marine applications.

PB

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: MSD ignition?

I installed a Mallory YLM624 about 3 months ago and I couldn't be happier with it's performance. Plus, it's designed for marine applications.

PB

The MSD I am getting is also a Marine application. I am assuming you are thinking its not. Check out the link I posted. The kit I am getting is $660 new.

 

[picklenjim]

Re: MSD ignition?

I have had the MSD Marine distributor, coil, box, and rev limiter on my BB for at least 10 years now with no problems. Mount the box as close to the battery as possible. Best to have the positive and negative wires to the box as short as possible and directly off the battery. Mounted mine on the transom near the battery. Wires are about 18 inchs long.