Just got my MSD 6AL in today with Blaster coil for a my BB512i. For those of you who have done these, is the MSD to Dinoplex wiring swap as follows? MSD Heavy Red to starter cable (from battery) MSD Heavy Black to frame (ground) MSD Violet (from Mag PU positive) to dinoplex #1 green (Distributor trigger) MSD Green (from Mag PU negative) to dinoplex #2 black (Distributor ground) MSD Black to dinoplex #3 red (coil negative) MSD Orange to new dinoplex #4 yellow (this is the yellow going to the coil positive that has to be seperated from the other yellow going to the ignition switch and positive battery- both were originally together as dinoplex #6) MSD Tach Out to dinoplex #5 brown (tach connection) MSD Red to dinoplex #6 yellow (remaining yellow in dinoplex #6 going to the ignition switch and positive battery) I'd also like to get a nwe 6 wire female and male connectors for the new igintion harness conection to MSD box. Any sources? Thanks SO much in advance.
I've got a jpg file of an article that details how to do the MDS to a boxer swap out but its not on this PC. I'll see if I can find it and post if for you.
You are my hero! I'm ready to spend the weekend with my arm in non-human positions to get this thing installed. Still undecided on whether to hide it WITHIN the Dinoplex case or merely attach underneath... but neither will happen without the right hookup! Thanks for any assistance out there.
I thought it was at work but I've not found it yet. I'll check at home tonight. I know i have a paper copy and if I can't find the electronic version I'll try to get a decent scan of the article.
I'm so excited I'm approaching desperation! Thanks for the effort Sean. Unless it's a total pain in the patootey, you could FAX your paper version to me at 334-262-1115. Or an emailed scan is awesome too. For anyone who has any info on this, I'd be greatly appreciative. Thanks!
Good day "A", Your connections look correct to me. That was the connections I did on mine, although I did not go with the rev limiter version. As for the articles, I have some scanned images... As for the connectors... Sadly, these do not seem to be available from any of the standard suppliers I use. They are AMP connectors and were in the AMP catalog last year, but I could not find them anywhere. Perhaps if one ordered the minimum purchase quantity (perhaps 100's or even 1000), one could get them. In my case, I crimped female (or male I cannot remember which) connectors to the MSD wires and plugged these wires into the factory cable harness. I then filled the cable harness plug assembly with hot glue (more like a hard silicone) so that the plugged wires could not come loose... Using silicone or hot glue allows for these wires to be removed in the future without damage to the factory connector. Cheers, Sam Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Good day, As a follow up, I created the following PDF that contains the article I mentioned earlier, as well as another one. Sadly, it is too large to upload it (953 KBytes)... If anyone is interested, send me an e-mail to: sams2 "at" telus "dot" net and I will send it to you... Or let me know where I can upload it and I will place it there. Cheers, Sam
Installed the MSD. Fired right up, yet after driving around, came back home and turned key 'off'. CAR REMAINED RUNNING. Interesting. I out of habit depressed the brake pedal and instantly the car shut off. Did it again, same results. My single variation from diagram was - I was unable to determine which was the correct of the TWO Yellow Dinoplex wires to run back to the coil, so - I connected the MSD RED to the pair of Dinoplex Yellows, but DISconnected the original COIL POSITIVE wire at the coil. (This means MSD RED was only connected to Ignition Switch and Postive battery, as intended.) I then ran a completely new connection from MSD ORANGE directly to the COIL POSITIVE. I also DO NOT HEAR my fuel pumps coming on at the twist of the key to position 2 (right before turning over) like I used to. What gives? Any help at all from anyone?
Hey there AHudson; Hope you're not thinking of losing the 512 for a 328! In any event, when I saw this problem, I remembered it happening to Markcf355 in the 365/400/412 section(running on problem)--Did a quick search on 'MSD phantom voltage'(cause I couldn't recall the exact electronic device he used) and he said: "had the running on problem fixed by adding a diode to the excitation input of each alternator which blocks the phantom voltage from keeping the MSD ignition module active"--I'm sure he would be happy to give you the specifics on the diode install, good luck! Bruce
Drew, it ran so good it didn't want to stop... literally! Not any time soon! Just on the wish list. I think MSD solved my problem. My car had some gonzo alarm system in the 80's (since removed) but may have had an ignition wire interrupt that caused voltage to come back through. I bought a "dual ballast resistor" for a Chrysler (as per MSD) and installed it. "Run on" solved. The thing is about 3/4" ceramic and gets so hot it may singularly add to global warming, but the car now actually turns on AND OFF with the key. It pops right on, hums at idle, and 'zings' to revs WAY QUICKER than before. My Dinoplex was possessed. All's well. Now I just have to 'neaten up' the wiring before I'm totally happy. Thanks.
Can someone with an MSD in a Boxer let me know if the coil side positive (yellow) has constant 12v with the iginition on (but engine no running)? My car will not start and I think my coil is not getting power to fire the plugs. BTW, It used to make a zapping noise when the magnetic impluse would pass inside the distributor while cranking and no longer does, which is why I think the MSD died. Much appreciated. I have a 7AL and am looking for a reason to put the smaller 6AL in anyway. Thanks
Ted, The simple answer is no. Since the MSD unit is of the capacitve type discharge, you will not measure any voltage across the coil, or to ground with the key on. To test the unit, four items need to be verified. 1) The MSD box is grounded 2) The large RED MSD wire must have power (all the time) 3) The small RED MSD wire must have power with the key on If the above conditions are met, then: 1) Turn the ignition key to the "OFF" position 2) Pull the coil wire from the distributor cap and position 1/2" or so from "Ground" 3) Disconnect the MSD plug (Green and Purple wires) at the distributor 4) Turn ignition key back "ON" 5) Short the Green and Purple wires together (that go to the MSD box) If a spark occurs, the MSD is good... If not, the MSD box is "toast" Thet're really this simple to test for "GO" or NO GO"... Regards, David
Drew, In all likelihood, yes. In effect, the two systems are similar in design and identical in how their triggered. The other variable that came up tonight in discussions with Ted (the poster of the MSD troubleshooting question) was: What about a bad coil? A bad coil could give a false failure test for the spark box. So, if you box tests "BAD", substitute a know good coil, before replacing the spark box. Talk to you later, David
I have a complete MSD ( but not dizzzy) set-up in my truck. I had problems and MSD tech support (very good btw) insisted that the MSD be connected directly to the battery and , of course a good ground, or you will have problems..they said this is so impt. that they suggested extending teh power wire if mounting space does not permit direct connection to the battery. I had the dist. cap,rotor,coil and 6AL
For those who may be considering an electronic ignition such as an MSD to replace the Dinoplex in your Boxer, you may want to check with TRutlands. He already has Dinoplex boxes that have been rebuilt with a modern electronic ignition inside so when you replace the unit all you have to do is plug up the new one and your Boxer looks stock with the Dinoplex box yet runs with a modern electronic ignition...
Well, it looks as though my 7AL is toast, since I tried the prescribed test with a new 8222 MSD coil and still no spark. Assuming I can get the huge 7AL unit out without having to move too much, I think I shall go with the 6AL unit. A few questions: Is the modification for 12 cylinders only for the rev limiter? - i.e will an off the self unit or 6A without the rev limiter work without modification? They have a 6AL digital unit now - is this the one to get? The original Marelli coil had three posts ( "k", B+ and ground) and the MSD coil has two. Is the little grounding wire on the OEM coil holder redundant with the MSD to coil negative lead? Thanks
Good evening Ted, Yes, this is correct. I installed a 6A into my BB last year, as I did not need the rev limiter version... or the cross border hassles of sending the 6AL version to the manufacturer for rev limiter update... As for your other questions, I will have to dig up my notes on it and get back to you. Cheers, Sam
