Aerohokie

iTrader: (2)

Here's a Q I cannot find a direct answer to. Do I need a self contained ignition system (such as MSD 6AL) if I switch my factory Q jet to a 650 Holley? What parts of the ignition do I have to replace? I am planning on removing the air pump so the check engine light will be disconnected anyway.

The important thing is that all carb engine parts (the carb, ignition) be able to work on a Ford (I know it's a 4 letter word) 302 for my 64. I'll be puttig an LS1 in the t/a this summer and want to be able to use the custom parts to get my Mustang rolling.

Damon

Umm......

No, not really. Going from a "GM" perspective......... if you ditch the computer controlled QJet then you should also switch to a non-computer controlled HEI distributor but not becuase it won't run wihtout it. It's just that the ECM will go into "limp home" mode and give the computer controlled HEI distributor a really weak advance curve- killing any power or fuel economy.

But the distributor won't simply stop functioning. The carb donesn't know anything about the distributor or whether it's functioning or not, and vice-versa.

An HEI distributor (ANY HEI distributor) will run on just a single 12V+ power wire to the appropriate terminal. It's just that it has to supply an appropriate advance curve and that can either be done with old style springs/weights/vacuum advance canister distributor or via computer control (cc-HEI only). But if the computer controlled carb or ECM is taken out of the equation then you should go with an old style distributor that has mechanical springs/weights/vacuum advance canister to supply the correct advance curve.

Aerohokie

iTrader: (2)

So yes, efficiency will be lost or rather gone to putz because the advance will not be there from the ECM. So here's a good Q then. Can I buy a MSD-6AL to plug into my existing HEI to supply it's own curve or do I not know what I'm talking about?

6AL plugged into HEI in place of ECM, new carb, no air pump, no more use for ECM .... will that work?

Thanks for the info, keep it coming!

RB83L69

No, it will not work; at least, not right. You still won't have "centrifugal" (RPM-dependent) advance. The 6 AL has nothing to do with advance. All it is, is a spark amplifier. It simply makes a big spark when the dist tells it to.

You need a distributor without computer control, and instead, with the spring & weight system for contolling timing according to RPMs.

You can add a MSD box to any distributor.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

The first part of that sentence says, "Don't bother doing anything to the LG4. Save your energy for the big job the swap is going to be, and with what's left over, you can dink with the 'Stang."