What should i set my spark plug gap to i was thinking .055 or .050 i have a MSD 6AL MSD coil and a Holley igniton module. I also plan to bump up my timing when i get my timing gun next week to 12degrees. FYI use the anti sieze and di electric greese on your plugs and wires i broke 3 of my msd wires when i was pulling them off and had to fight to get the connector off. And the spark plugs were stuck in the heads got those out finaly as well.

 

Did you twist the boots while you pulled 'em off?

I tried 050, seemed the same. Tried 055, seemed worse; even smelled gas. So I went back to the .050, and for the last tuneup, I just set 'em to 045 and left them.

 

Ya the boot feel apart it just broke n half maybe ill send them back to MSD

 

Give it a shot! It happened to me with my first set of MSD wires. I just wanted to check the plugs to see how they were doing... did the twist & pull method for breaking the boots free- and 5 outta 6 boots broke. Like you, I used the dielectric grease, too, on the boots. Tried putting them back on, they were wobbly and loose with only 7/8th of boot. (About 1/2" was left glued to the plugs.) I called MSD to see how much they'd be to fix- the dude told me to just send 'em in, he'd take care of it! $10 for postage and a week or so later, and I had my wires back. Yet another reason why I love MSD. So hell, it can't hurt to call. Even if they charge $5/wire, you're still making out over buying a new set.

Did I mention I use a shtload of dielectric in the boots now?

 

I run autolite plugs gapped at .052 with a 53,000 volt coil and Taylor 10.4mm plugwires/ Good ol' A/C Delco module (best money can buy- they are a workhosre and very well made- better than any aftermarket unit) & 13* crank timing.

 

AGood2.8,

I have to agree with you on the AC Delco Ignition module.
I had an Accel module in my car for a while. Then, all of
a sudden, my car would not start when warmed up. I
checked for spark, had very weak light emitting from
the spark tester. I guessed and threw in a factory
AC Delco one. Bam! works fine now. Starts up every
time! I use Accel 8.8 mm wires, Accel cap/rotor, Accel
coil, and AC Delco rapid fire plugs. Timing cranked to
14*, use a Hypertech chip. I forgot what my gap is
on the plugs, guessing like .055. Plugs need to be
changed anyways.

Will change Accel coil to MSD one and relocate it
to firewall.... Looks "burned" up, has like black
stuff on it... could be from the exhaust leak from
the broken manifold bolts! Arghhhhh! That's next
to get done! Since that coil is so close to the exhaust
manifold, I will relocate it.

TomP,

Do you have the universal wire set from MSD, or does
MSD actually make custom fit wires for our V6s? I
have the 3.1L.

 

MSD Makes one just for the V-6 cars thats what i have on mine. I got the holley ignition module i feel ACCELL IS PURE CRAP i used there cap and rotor and in liek a month my car was missing and it was corroded beyond belif went and got the gold line at my work had no problems after that.

 

I disagree about Accel because after over 20 years of Accel usage.
YET some cars like this product and some cars like....
Definetly send your plug wires back to MSD fo a swap.
Accel does swap my worn Accel products for free, why wouldn't MSD?
If you have a spare Accel modular, I'll take that, too!

Did you rebuild the distributor yet? I don't recall.

Just twist the distributor toward the firewall, ignore usage of timing light in this mission.

 

I took out the stock module. I got a new set of wires at my work i am going to send the old ones to msd so i awalys have a set handy. I didnt rebuild my distributor just a new holley ignition module. MSD also makes a holley mdule its for a 350 but will work the same on our v-6.

 

Use connections at work to obtain freshly rebuilt distributor to swap in to current ride.
Enjoy the difference!

 

The ones my works sell i think are junk i was looking at one and it looked liek it was thrown togheter. Where did you get your rebuild kit i need a new pick up coil and magnet and i would like to put bearings in insted of bushings.

 

I bought individual electrical parts.
Rest was common work bench tools and carb cleaner & sand paper.
Have ya ordered one for the V-6 application for comparison?

 

Orderd a distributor or ignition module???

 

A parts chain store rebuild V-6 distributor?

 

We sell Rebuilt ones i looked at the one for a 350 and they looked cheap. And today a guy came in hes gotten 4 distributors and i guess all have had some mechanical porblem.

 

That's why I don't have a direct-replacement aftermarket coil...

I used the universal cut/crimp set; made the wires to my own length. That way I don't have to play with extra wire length; I routed the wires the way I wanted 'em. If you search, I've given the part # a few times already.

 

Thanks for the info. I will do a search on that. Do you
use heat sleeves for your spark plug boots? That maybe
why they break apart when you decide to check your
plugs. Just a guess.

 

They only broke that one time; haven't broken since. Nope, don't run the heat sleeves. Those boots burnt a funny yellowish color... every MSD wire set I've had after that, the boots just got dirty, they'd stay gray colored. I think they might've had a run of bad boots.

I use an external mount coil, not the bolt-in GM replacement. First I had an Accel remote "computerized HEI" coil (that's what they call it in their mrgasket.com catalog), mounted between the top of the alternator and the throttle body.

Now I run the MSD Blaster SS coil; I'll attach a pic below.

Not sure if you were asking me what kind of plugs I have... you asked about a Camaro... I have a Firebird. But in case you were...

I used to use Splitfires; seemed to make the exhaust smell better, and they'd hold their gap longer. But, after I added the MSD 6AL box, the center electrode started to wear like crazy. Tried a second set of Splitfires; figured I got a bad batch. I had installed a new set of Splitfires every year since 94, so I figured a bad batch was possible - nope, same strange wear. The electrode wore back at an angle. So after 2 sets, I went back to stock AC Delco plugs. They seem to hold up better. Guys on the tech board noticed similar things with other spark plug brands and their MSD box, too. (By the way, the Splitfire company dropped their price to $2.95 a plug about 4 or 5 years ago. Don't let a Pep Boys/Autozone/etc try to charge you $5.95!)

 

Yeah, I asked you about plugs for a Camaro, sorry,
my bad. Meant Firebird. Anyways, I think I'll end up
replacing my Accel coil with an MSD one and just
relocate it. I'm also going to replace my Accel wires
to MSD. Seem to have better repuation than Accel.

Is an MSD 6AL box worth installing?


Thanks for the help, TomP! Always appreciated!

 

I run Rapid Fires with my 6al works great. Rapid fires i think are the best plug made. Im gonna try the platnu 4's in my girlfrineds 4 banger metro and see how those work. A MSD box is slightly noticeable at higher rpm's i think it should probly be the last mod done before a new chip.

 

See that Accel coil?
Over 10 years old & over 100,000 miles on it.
One of my first mods done to my S-10 Blazer back in 1990's. I got my Blazer in 1989.
See those plug wires?
FULL SET OF BRAND NEW ACCEL 8.8 WIRES REPLACED FOR FREE & UNDER WARRANTY. Cost was $4 for mailing.

 

This is an optional location for remote mounting Accel or ANY coil in an F Body.
This coil is the direct replacement version for the 3rd Gen F body bracket over manifold.
My Firebird Accel coil is over two years old now. Also, not shown is a full free Accel 8.8 replacement plug wires done under warranty, too.

Accel upgrades the plug wires as customer satisfaction. I mailed in the common replacement brand (the Super Stocks I believe) & Accel returned 8.8's!!
All for cost of mailing & a nice letter.
I've done about 5 sets of Accel plug wires this way.
Over the course of 20 years. For various cars.

 

No prob, didn't want to seem like I was answering a question that was meant for someone else. Anyway, I really wouldn't recommend an MSD box until you're out of mods to do. I noticed only a slight increase in power in higher rpm's. And the tradeoff was that my car takes a half second longer to start. It used to start with a "blip" of the starter motor, after the install, it took a bit longer. It's not much longer to raise a valid complaint about, though.

If you do get an MSD box eventually, spring the extra for the 6AL. It's $40 more, but you get a set of anti-vibration mounts with the 6AL. If you were to buy anti-vibe mounts separately, they're $20. So you're really just spending another $20 for the rev-limiter. And I don't think that you can add the MSD rev-limiter to a 6A box... anyone know?

Oh, and my first coil was the one shown in Karl's Blazer picture. Biggest pain in the butt with coils that aren't direct-replacement bolt-ins is finding a good spot to mount it. I'm going to have to come up with a new spot when I install my heater-only firewall box this summer; the heater-only box is steel, and doesn't "jut out" anywhere like the fiberglass heater/evaporator box does.