MSD Box Timing Issues

njk53 · 06-04-2009, 08:51 PM

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?

Jim Kaekel · 06-05-2009, 06:50 AM

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.

Dana Fitzpatrick · 06-05-2009, 11:19 AM

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.

njk53 · 06-05-2009, 08:04 PM

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.

Frank Bialas · 06-05-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njk53

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?

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

rgarvey · 07-20-2011, 06:34 PM

ok

Adger Smith · 07-20-2011, 07:34 PM

DUH! Try the bottom hose clamp?

rgarvey · 07-20-2011, 07:47 PM

ok

Phillip marvetz · 07-20-2011, 08:19 PM

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.

06-04-2009, 08:51 PM	#1
njk53 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: East China, MI Posts: 504 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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? __________________ Nelson Kowal Stock 345

06-05-2009, 06:50 AM	#2
Jim Kaekel VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,226 Likes: 133 Liked 529 Times in 107 Posts	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. __________________ Jim Kaekel 3836 STK

06-05-2009, 11:19 AM	#3
Dana Fitzpatrick Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 148 Likes: 4 Liked 10 Times in 6 Posts	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.

06-05-2009, 08:04 PM	#4
njk53 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: East China, MI Posts: 504 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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. __________________ Nelson Kowal Stock 345

07-20-2011, 06:34 PM	#6
rgarvey Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 58 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: MSD Box Timing Issues ok Last edited by rgarvey; 07-20-2011 at 07:57 PM.

07-20-2011, 07:34 PM	#7
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,446 Likes: 575 Liked 880 Times in 311 Posts	Re: MSD Box Timing Issues DUH! Try the bottom hose clamp? __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS) Last edited by Adger Smith; 07-20-2011 at 07:35 PM. Reason: :~)

07-20-2011, 07:47 PM	#8
rgarvey Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 58 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: MSD Box Timing Issues ok Last edited by rgarvey; 07-20-2011 at 07:56 PM.

07-20-2011, 08:19 PM	#9
Phillip marvetz Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lynden ,WA Posts: 820 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	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. __________________ 2009 V/SA Record Holder