MSD ignition timing?

Z28-69 · 05-10-2009, 02:40 PM

Hey guys could use some help. I am running small block chevy with MSD 7AL-3 box, MSD distributor. Timing is locked out and I set timing at idle. If I run motor up the timing changes 3 plus degrees. Everything seems tight, only thing that maybe question would be I use the caps j hooks to hold cap down. I know I can cut those off and run screws just didn't think I needed to. Is this just part of the muli spark playing with timing light? I can use cheap light or expensive Mac timing light and get same read. Next question....which timing mark do I believe? At idle or rpm's up?

Jim Bailey · 05-10-2009, 02:55 PM

Guess what?..... It's the MSD BOX !!!!! .....guaranteed!

STOCK1278 · 05-10-2009, 03:12 PM

It's normal. Set it above idle. Probable causes, slack in timing chain combined with cam to distributor bushing mesh.

Z28-69 · 05-10-2009, 04:11 PM

I run Jesel belt drive, so there is probably some slack but I can't imagine as much as timing chain. Maybe???

sst1988 · 05-10-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z28-69

hey guys could use some help. I am running small block chevy with msd 7al-3 box, msd distributor. Timing is locked out and i set timing at idle. If i run motor up the timing changes 3 plus degrees. Everything seems tight, only thing that maybe question would be i use the caps j hooks to hold cap down. I know i can cut those off and run screws just didn't think i needed to. Is this just part of the muli spark playing with timing light? I can use cheap light or expensive mac timing light and get same read. Next question....which timing mark do i believe? At idle or rpm's up?

rpm's

gmonde · 05-10-2009, 05:16 PM

as mentioned there could be a number things ,little bit of cam walk,slack in the timing chain,little movement in the lock out on the distributor,i run it up to 2000 rpm set it ,also dial indicate tdc and mark your harmonic balancer ,this will be the most accurate way gmonde

Dick Kirkpatrick · 05-10-2009, 06:50 PM

MSD boxes have a timing retard to ease in starting the motor, it cuts out at 900 rpm, so you have to set the timing above 900 rpm

Jeff Lee · 05-10-2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick Kirkpatrick

MSD boxes have a timing retard to ease in starting the motor, it cuts out at 900 rpm, so you have to set the timing above 900 rpm

To ad to this, hard wire the spark retard so it is defeated. Do not rely on any chips, not even the zero degree chip.

Z28-69 · 05-10-2009, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

To ad to this, hard wire the spark retard so it is defeated. Do not rely on any chips, not even the zero degree chip.

Hi Jeff, What do you mean by hard wire? Well I know what hard wire means but how would I do that? I have 0 degree chips in now. The car idles at 1400-1500 rpm's and I don't use start retard. I use a roll over switch. Thanks for helping me guys. I hate electrical issues.

Jeff Lee · 05-11-2009, 12:02 AM

Contact MSD and ask for instructions as I wouldn't want to tell you the wrong way and you burn up your box! Don't let them tell you a chip will do the same thing. But basically you are jumping terminals to completely eliminate the chip receptacle. I think I explained that right...

That is how my MSD 7AL-3 is. I have a crank trigger and no start retard, Full advance (38 to 42 degrees) from zero RPM on up. I have a Tilton starter and have never had a problem with starting or kick-back.

05-10-2009, 02:40 PM	#1
Z28-69 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Grand Rapids MI Posts: 66 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	MSD ignition timing? Hey guys could use some help. I am running small block chevy with MSD 7AL-3 box, MSD distributor. Timing is locked out and I set timing at idle. If I run motor up the timing changes 3 plus degrees. Everything seems tight, only thing that maybe question would be I use the caps j hooks to hold cap down. I know I can cut those off and run screws just didn't think I needed to. Is this just part of the muli spark playing with timing light? I can use cheap light or expensive Mac timing light and get same read. Next question....which timing mark do I believe? At idle or rpm's up?

05-10-2009, 02:55 PM	#2
Jim Bailey Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 708 Likes: 17 Liked 617 Times in 116 Posts	Re: MSD ignition timing? Guess what?..... It's the MSD BOX !!!!! .....guaranteed!

05-10-2009, 03:12 PM	#3
STOCK1278 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New Windsor, NY Posts: 43 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: MSD ignition timing? It's normal. Set it above idle. Probable causes, slack in timing chain combined with cam to distributor bushing mesh. __________________ Jason M Silver NHRA Stock Eliminator - 1278 88 Oldsmobile Cutlass 307/213

05-10-2009, 04:11 PM	#4
Z28-69 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Grand Rapids MI Posts: 66 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: MSD ignition timing? I run Jesel belt drive, so there is probably some slack but I can't imagine as much as timing chain. Maybe???

05-10-2009, 05:16 PM	#6
gmonde Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 615 Likes: 56 Liked 166 Times in 59 Posts	Re: MSD ignition timing? as mentioned there could be a number things ,little bit of cam walk,slack in the timing chain,little movement in the lock out on the distributor,i run it up to 2000 rpm set it ,also dial indicate tdc and mark your harmonic balancer ,this will be the most accurate way gmonde

05-10-2009, 06:50 PM	#7
Dick Kirkpatrick Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Carlise, Ontario, Canada Posts: 73 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: MSD ignition timing? MSD boxes have a timing retard to ease in starting the motor, it cuts out at 900 rpm, so you have to set the timing above 900 rpm __________________ Dick Kirkpatrick 3033 SS

05-11-2009, 12:02 AM	#10
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: MSD ignition timing? Contact MSD and ask for instructions as I wouldn't want to tell you the wrong way and you burn up your box! Don't let them tell you a chip will do the same thing. But basically you are jumping terminals to completely eliminate the chip receptacle. I think I explained that right... That is how my MSD 7AL-3 is. I have a crank trigger and no start retard, Full advance (38 to 42 degrees) from zero RPM on up. I have a Tilton starter and have never had a problem with starting or kick-back. __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX