Since I got my MSD-6A wired up, I turn the key and the starter turns for a quick sec, stops and hesitates for a sec, then cranks over. Is this normal? All my wires are good. The car always starts and runs fine so I cant complain too much

 

How much compression has the motor got and how much timing do you have in it? Sounds like you've got too much. You shouldn't need a retard box. My stock starter turns my 10.5:1 383 just fine.

 

like 10.1 comp. timing 20* initial,36* total

 

Why so much initial? What kind of distributor is in it?

 

Summit brand High Output Distributor. Welded a piece inside of it that did away with the vacuum advance. Dont rememebr what its called exactly. 234/242 cam.

A couple local pros said 18-22* initial is probably what Ill need.

 

Try putting more advance in it and pull some of the initial out. I'll bet your problem will go away. I run 12* initial and 25* mechanical advance, no vacuum.

 

20 degrees initial isn't uncommon at all with an aftermarket cam.

There's a misconception that when you put a bigger cam in, you should still be able to time the engine where it was stock. No way. Mine is set up at around 16 degrees initial right now, and after the engine starts, the vacuum advance pulls it to 21-22 degrees. You mentioned your vacuum advance is "locked out" - why? That might be the whole problem. Your starter is straining too hard. You might need a retard box if that's the case.

I don't run an MSD box myself, but maybe if you read the voltage going to "ign" on the soliniod while you try to crank it, that might tell you something. If you momentarily lose 12 V to the solinoid, your ignition switch may be going bad - and if not, it may be your starter solinoid is on it's way out.

 

I just took about 4* timing out of the initial, left the total alone.

The starter hesitation is gone. Either the problem fixed itself, or it had just a couple degrees too much timing.

Too bad its 45degrees out and raining...lovely Ohio

 

In his case it's apparently too much. I have an aftermarket cam btw

 

Sorry, nothing meant towards you Dialed_In.

You were simply saying it was too far advanced in either case - Aftermarket or Stock....sounds like that's what it was!