Another MSD box failure, backfire through exhaust

I have had several MSD boxes go bad in the last few years. This one is back firing through the exhaust, poorly running engine with very unstable timing. I will not use another MSD ignition box. Went back with a stock style electronic ignition for now.

[@carllattimore8227]

Glad someone is talking about this

[@1badombre82]

Wish I had heard about this 1 edelbrock and 2 carb rebuilds ago

[@scottm7341]

MSD started manufacturing in china some years ago. I saw the loss of quality in coils right away, sometimes with failures in a few minutes. But to be fair, failure of the box is often due to inadequate wiring on the power supply side. They draw a lot of amps, with brief spikes even higher. I run 12 gauge wire to the box and use the msd 'noise reducing' capacitor right near the box. The capacitor stores energy to supply high current for the spikes, just like in high power car audio applications. It's also important to have a solid ground connection. In 17 years of desert racing with 6AL and 6al digitals, I have never lost a box.

[@genemanno1533]

Another china sourced piece of crap. When will Americans understand china is only out for china not a quality product. Throwing tons of china speed parts on an engine and having a turd in the end. Seems to be more prevalent these days. Mismatched race car parts on the street often puts ya at the side of the road.

[@jesse75]

What noise reducing capacitor ?

[@vrm86gt]

MSD, My Spark Disappeared!

[@edspencer7121]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@edsmachine93]

Good video. Just subscribed. Take care, EM.

[@auteurfiddler8706]

They, MSD, used to "repair " their boxes for a reasonable price. "Repair" meant replacing the circuit board and retaining only the housing. From what I read, they stopped doing that a long time ago.

[@jesse75]

I had an old analog 6AL repaired in 2021. Was $60 bucks. But I don't trust it. Don't even know what to do with it.

[@brracing7861]

They used to work reliable MSD from the 1990s but failures of MSD occurred back then. MSD Has been made in China Electronics components for about 20 years now why so many failures. What's really bad its impossible to build them with 100% USA All manufacturers Electronic components because no USA Made electronics and semiconductors exist no longer. It's all made in China or Taiwan.

[@peterkennette9865]

Most of these boxes fail the same way by partial breakdown of the SCR switching device. I have been building CD boxes since 1971 and fought the same issues until recently. A few new SCR's specifically for high output CD boxes are now available and work very well in the MSD7A's (higher output than 6) where I have replaced them. Another sign of imminent SCR breakdown is unexplained spark scatter. When that happens a failure is about to happen. Another issue can be unexplained blowby leading to ring failure due to spark scatter. Been down that road as well!

[@hughheeney3554]

I used MSD, for a number of years, until it decided to just go to full advance when ever it felt like it. At that point I decided to go with an Ice system, I have found it great, especially after I settled on the base ignition setting. Also custom timing is far easier to set up. Ull

[@KimKagaproductions]

i have a analog 6420 msd box and timing jumps, backfire etc when it reaches a certain temp, restart is impossible if you let it die untill box cools down, are they repaireble or new box is required?

[@peterkennette9865]

@@KimKagaproductions Only if it is an older one without the potting compound. Same symptoms I have had over the years of SCR failure. Been building my own boxes since 1971 and this was always an issue.

[@jesse75]

So, you know how to upgrade an early analog box ?

[@peterkennette9865]

If it is not filled with potting compound the backfiring is usually fixed by changing the SCR otherwise I don't know what upgrade is done. However I am an electronic tech and can usually modify most acessible circuits.

[@danfriesen4417]

I have an msd 6a I put on my Mustang back in I think 2005. Still running in car, I guess quality control is a thing of the past

[@pearlguy6351]

You gotta make sure you ground that sucker real good I got 10 years out of mine ground straight to the battery

[@jcnpresser]

Thought I was in the clear having a box from 2001 thinking it was before the China ones, guess not. Mine took a crap and I’m researching trying to figure it out on repair.

[@auteurfiddler8706]

That particular box has not been made for a long time. The ones they sell now say "digital." The idea was that the box put out multiple sparks until 3000 RPM then put out a single spark after that. I wonder if the transition at 3000 rpm was the exact point it starts stumbling.

[@auteurfiddler8706]

@@musclecarheaven I feel better hearing that since I have only the older ones. I haven't even tested most of them, and they are all but one used, so you had me worried. Are you going to try to get your 6AL fixed? I know not many people are going to agree with me, but I used an original Mallory Hyfire from the 80's. It only works with points or Unilite, though. It doesn't work with magnetic pickup distributors.

[@auteurfiddler8706]

@@musclecarheaven I believe MSD sold separate boxes to add those features to a MSD 6 or 6A and they sold other analog ignition boxes that had that feature built in. These days, it would be better to have one built in, I agree.

[@peterkennette9865]

At least on the older boxes the multiple spark is governed by how fast the capacitor recharges.

[@alfredchristiansen5482]

I've been using MSD boxes since the 80s never had a problem with one but I never used a 6A L only the 6A

[@stevenbongiorno9277]

I have been running a MSD box, that’s over 20 years old. It’s just a 6A, with no rev limiter. It’s a simple box, and it’s performed perfectly for all these years. I runs normally aspirated engine, with my ignition advance at the top of my limit. It idles well, and I don’t seem to have any ignition issues. I hope you find something that works for you

[@jesse75]

Lucky guy. How is it installed ?

[@daveski4496]

I like the Summit ignition boxes, 145 mJ multispark part no. 850620

[@chaunceyvines1154]

Hello Paul I had the same problem. Bought my MSD 6AL box March 2022 crank my truck up once in a while idle few minutes. I'm currently working on my project truck and cant drive it until I get a driveshaft made. Just yesterday I tried to start it checked for spark and no spark. I call summit racing told them they need to stop ripping off. They offered me 20% off on a new one. No thanks summit racing has gone to china some of their parts. I will look into DUI Performance distributors

[@jesse75]

Well. We have to speak up and complain.

[@jessehumphryes4636]

Make sure your using right coil for horsepower I have 800hp msd 6al will only use msd 3 blaster if coils not correctly to msd box it will burn your box up iv had my msd 6al for 14yr no problem

[@WillKlaver]

..i went back to Accel components because of the poor quality MSD stuff anymore..

[@LarryKolb-ri3nu]

My MSD PULLS .9 amps when car is off. I have bypassed the MSD and installed the stock system since I do not race anymore.

[@dandesantis7105]

Consider a Progressive Ignition distributor. Fully tunable, no mechanical advance, has a rev limiter and boost control. It's a well engineered unit.

[@musclecarheaven]

I found them. They look very nice, lots of features.

[@danmarquette809]

Sounds like a timing issue to me. Check your distributer gear.

[@johnmilner7603]

You failed to mention whether the MSD box is digital or analog. The Digital boxes made in China are junk and is why I purchased a used analog MSD 6AL 6420. They are built better but cost more to build and is probably why MSD stopped making analog boxes. I bought mine back in 2017. The guy I bought it from went digital and sold me his for $30.

[@broke_dongle]

I've had my MSD 5 for 15 years. Even though it's suggested to not use on modified engines. Never a reason to upgrade. Sorry , that sucks.

[@jesse75]

Way too common of failure rate.

[@jesse75]

Doesn't anyone realize that if I have a choice to buy a product made in USA, and it's of good quality, and cost more, we are going to buy it ?

[@vincemajestyk9497]

Chinese semiconductors. None of them last.

[@jesse75]

Just another way to stab us in the back.

[@malcolmmanning9290]

Maybe msd not made for u, or u and msd not match

[@billambrose5287]

Made in China . Glad I retired 4 years ago . All my trans parts made in China . I can ruin my business all by myself , I don't need China's help . What ever happened to Made in the USA With Pride ? No worries as it's all about to flip .

[@jesse75]

Someone well versed in electronics needs to dismantle one of these boxes. Tell us how it's put together. What upgrades to make them more durable. I figure. Some kind of pre voltage regulator, voltage surge protector. Or even something like a variac . When I have had one of these boxes working, I might as well as fry an egg on it. Maybe even run better heat sinks and a cooling fan ?

[@jessehumphryes4636]

You have wrong coil on that car you better learn what your doing before you keep burning up msd 6al box because your using a msd 2 coil you need msd 3 blaster for the horse power your putting to that hemi