Anyone made the swap to a MSD 6AL box from a 4 pin HEI?

I'm seriously considering it as I've had some problems with the 4 pin HEI module.

I attended a car show a couple of years ago and 'Lucille' wouldn't fire up after sitting for a couple of hours due to a control module failure. Since then I've kept a spare in the glove box.

I took her to the NSRA Street Rods yesterday and she ran great. This morning - no spark - control module failure

It's not that I don't mind supporting the auto-parts industry at $35 - $45 a pop; it's a bit frustrating and I don't know when they're gonna fail. Luckily it hasn't happened while the car was running, thank you Jesus!


I spoke with a guy that worked for NAPA Auto Parts and he suggested that it's a ground problem - which I'll definitely look into.

Just curious if anyone else has went to the MSD 6AL and if they're satisfied with it.

 

I agree that there's something amiss with your distributor, and you should be able to easily fix it and have no more module failures. My HEI has the same module that it left the factory with back in 1977 and it's still running fine.

Schurkey recently posted about things that can cause premature module failures. I'll try to find that post and put a link to it.

 

I don't understand the question on the 6AL box, it does not work without a trigger. In addition why would you want to introduce another failure mode into your system?

 

I didn't find the recent post, but I did locate a site where he has lots of diagnostic info and also common failure reasons. Scroll down about 2/3 to the section titled Common HEI problems and check those items. I'm sure you will be able to fix your distributor with this info.

http://www.chevelles.com/techref/ftecref5.html

 

Thanks Kenneth

 

I had a 6AL-2 did not last long enough to start the car. I myself would not by another MSD
ignition. I am running a Pertronix Flame Thrower 3 works great.

 

I run a 6AL and pleased with it. The main reason I got it was for the rev limiter and no more control module. It's imperative to put dielectric grease on the modules when reinstalling them, Possibly why so many have failed on you. I had an old ford probe that would't start back up once it was hot. Finally after replacing two modules I just removed it from the dizzy completely and mounted it to the firewall, started every time after that. Not saying it's the best option nor would I do this to my car. Unless maybe I made it look like a flux capacitor

 

Thanks for the input!

I've also got some feedback from a drag racing forum I hang out on and most agree that it's a heat problem.

I've always used whatever little pack of grease came with the control module. I recently purchased some Super Lube Heat Sink Compound that is supposed to be good up to 500degrees F.



Hopefully this takes care of things. If not, I may look at going with some ignition modifications.

Thanks again for all the input!