im not exactly sure which one to use. i do know that i want it to be vaccuum advance since i am pulling out the computer. i would like to go hei, but with a remote coil. the engine is a roller motor. i already have a msd coil, and the msd 6a box. which distributor do you guys suggest? part number would also be helpful.

 

MSD 8361.

 

thanks. is there any that are cheaper than $230. i know you the old syaing, you get what you pay for. just trying to look at all possibilities. and im trying to watch my budget now because i done spent almost all of it on other high dollar engine parts.

 

I believe Summit offers a lower-priced knock-off that uses the same MSD-type connector. Search their site.

 

thats the other thing i was wondering about. looking at the distributors im seeing connectors on them. were would i hook up these connectors if im getting rid of the ecu? do i just cut the connectors off and just splice the wires to the coil and to the battery or what? or would the connector hook up to the back of the msd 6a box?

 

would the Summit SUM-850055 be a good choice for my application? also im seeing some saying ready to run and others not saying this. what is the difference? what needs to be done to make one "ready to run"

 

If you are doing away with ecm and going carb, you want an HEI. Mallory sells a 85 series distributor for about 159 bucks that comes complete with cap rotor and coil. I run one in my 87. Its a great piece and well made. But, to be honest, I have installed lots of those summit specials that run like 129 or so. Come with a good cap and rotor, new centrifigal setup, etc. 50k volt coil. They are good stuff. Probably a Mr gasket piece, which is a generic accel/mallory, as they are both owned by them.

 

i just dont want the coil on cap. i already have a coil. i have the msd blaster 2 already installed in the car and i want to just re-use it.

 

Yeah, that's the one. I just didn't want to do the fishing for you.

You don't need ready-to-run since you have the 6A. Follow the instructions that came with the 6A for hooking it up with distributor and coil, no ECM. Power, ground, tach, etc. to the car. The rest should just plug in with the MSD harness & parts to the proper wires on the 6A.

 

ohhh im fishing alright! lol. i dont think i have the instructions anymore for the 6a box. i installed that on the car a few years ago. but im sure i can call msd and get the instructions that way.

should the wires off the distributor just plug right in the back of the msd box?

 

why would a ingnition box be required for some of these distributors? if i get one that doesnt require an ingnition box, can i still use my msd 6a?

 

The difference is the presence of an ignition control module. Guess what the box does? Eliminates the ignition control module.

The instructions should be availabe from MSD's website. I thought Summit would have a copy, but they don't for the 6A. It's probably the same for the 6AL, so if their site has the instructions for it, try printing them out.

 

yeah the instructions are the same as the 6al box. what is the ingnition control module? is that the 4 prong module in the distributor?

now to make things clear for me. if i were to buy the summit or msd distributor from above, all i have to do is wire it with my msd coi, msd 6a box, and i should be good to go right?

 

Yes.

And,

Yes.

 

later down the road, could i add that module? if so would i see any benefit from it? what does that module do?

 

It just converts the signal from the pick-up to power switching of the coil. The box does a better job of it.

 

just curious now, would the engine perform better if i were to install the ignition control module with the above setup?

sorry for the ton of questions, trying to get all my ducks in a row before i spend money.

 

You don't seem to be reading what I'm saying. The box REPLACES the module. The box is a better switch than the module. The module is a notorious weak link in the ignition chain.

If you install a box, you bypass the module.

You can't install both the module and the box. It don't work that way.

It won't help anything to later buy a distributor with a module.

 

ok. soooo then since i already have the msd 6a installed on the car, and im currently still have the stock motor in there with the stock distributor, i could take the module off the stock distributor and the car would just fine, maybe even better?

yes im still gonna buy a new distributor for the motor im building, because that motor is going to be carbed. im not thinking that ill be able to re-use the stock distributor on the new motor.

thanks for all your replys five7kid! i appreciate it.