I check the threads and did not find info on this setup. I wanted to check the advance curve on my distributor and was quoted a minimum of $100 and probably more if changes to the advance was required. After checking what is available I am looking at the MSD 6AL-2 6530 which is computer PC programmable for the advance curve and other advantages. I already have the Crane optical trigger and this looks like a good way to go. Price new is around $300+. I can get rid of the weights and springs that control the mechanical advance in the distributor. Has anyone installed this system.
I have not used that system but you might want to make sure it will fire your negative lead tachometer correctly, my guess is no as modern stuff is square wave. The tach can be modified or you can install a tach adapter which is in essence a miniature coil which simulates the negative signal. I finally had enough of the distributors (308) and installed a 36-1 trigger wheel on the damper and mapped the curve accordingly with a megajolt box. The coils are simple waste spark Ford units and look very similar to Electromotive. My engine is not quite back together but I am very much looking forward to testing the setup. It's my understand that one of the fellows in this Dino section has insalled this type of system on a DIno with great results.
No tach adapter required for MSD 6AL-2 according to this... http://www.dinoplex.org/overview_dino_ignitions.pdf
Checking the advance curve should be around $50-$100 depending on the shop, so guess that is ok and its always a good thing to do if the distributor has not been checked or serviced in the past. Maybe a fellow from Ferrarichat with a distributor tester is in your area and can help out here? If you have an electronic timing light such as the Equus 3568, where you can set the degree manually you could check the curve on your own as a start by jotting down the advance degrees for every 500 or 1000 RPM. For the MSD 6530 to handle the advance via a programmable 2D map you would need to weld the lower moving axle to the S125's cam shaft. As good S125's are rare and expensive to source you might want to check if someone sells a S125 with a broken advance mechanism so you don't have to sacrifice a good one. Black Stallion's BSMpdi ignition has the same approach, it comes with a distributor with rigid axle, and their programmable ignition controller handles the advance. The Megajolt setup is also quite a good alternative if you want to have full control over all parameters but it is a bit more work as you need to replace the distributor with a trigger wheel installed on the damper/crank shaft. It is good value for the money but you need to invest more time for the installation/setup as with the other options. If you don't plan a rolling road session to map your engine afterwards, it might be a bit over the top though. My recommendation would be to first check the S125 to see what the condition is before resolving to more drastic measures Disassembling, cleaning and regreasing (don't mix up the springs or washers accidentally) is already a good start to make sure it is working properly.
I appreciate the good feedback to my query. I have two distributors both in excellent condition. One is original Dino with 6 lobes on the cam and one from the Stratos engine with 3 lobes. Not sure how to lock the shaft, weld where, but I'll check that out and will do more research on some of the other systems mentioned. Thanks John
