MSD Box Timing Issues
 

Are any of you guys having issues with your MSD box causing irratic timing while trying to set your engine timing gun? I am getting erratic readings in the balancer. I heard that the MSD box can cause this problem. Any advise and solutions?

Re: MSD Box Timing Issues
 

I had a similar problem about a year ago, however, the timing was only erratic when cranking the starter. It turned out to be caused by a bad battery, which can cause voltage "spikes". Grounds are very important when using MSD. Call MSD's tech line, they should be able to help you.

Re: MSD Box Timing Issues
 

I just had a problem like that with my MSD. Tried 3 timing lights,even hooked up power to the light from a seperate battery from the car--still bounced up and down 3 or 4 degrees.Come to find out the nut on the pin that goes thru the hole used to lock out the timing, had loosened.A washer, a drop of loctite and reinstalled the nut -timing was again rock solid.The hole did oblong slightly, but so far it has stayed very steady.

Re: MSD Box Timing Issues
 

Thanks guys for the appreciated input. It was the timing light. It seems that the MSD box does not like the adjustable Craftsman timing light. I was told to get a cheapie timing light. Bought the cheapest Craftsman timing light I could find and it solved the problem. Weird thing about this one is that it doesn't consistantly happen this way. Some guys have no problems at all. Go figure, thanks again.

Re: MSD Box Timing Issues
 

HEY NO NAME, just for ****s and giggles, when no one is watching hook up your timing light positive to battery positive, now take your negative and clip it onto the clamp on radiator top hose and your pickup lead to your coil wire, see if the light works, if it doesn't than take your negative clip off of the radiator clamp and find a better ground like the engine block or negative side of battery. this has to work, now look at your mark and you will be suprised!!!!!! after you check and set your timing you'll never go back to the conventual method again, but now you still have a problem with that hose clamp if the light didn't work when you were hooked up to the clamp, so take a regular 12 volt test light and clamp it onto your positive battery terminal and as if you were searching for a ground touch the block or any metal bracket and light should illuminate-[light up], now touch the top clamp on radiator that is isolated/insulated by the rubber hose and the light should light up, if it doesn't than you have problems, later no name dude

Re: MSD Box Timing Issues
 

ok

Re: MSD Box Timing Issues
 

DUH! Try the bottom hose clamp?

Re: MSD Box Timing Issues
 

ok

Re: MSD Box Timing Issues
 

I've had the same problem with my MAC dial back timing light, Sometimes it works great and other times seems read all the wires at once. If I go find a cheapy it works.