Failure rate of a MSD 6AL?

Philip Saran · 03-22-2011, 02:47 PM

I've been fighting a no spark problem for a while now, I've done
the tests as outlined on the MSD website.

This unit has less than two hours run time on it. Of course I bought
it longer than a year ago (how time flies) so no warranty.

What has been your experience with MSD products? Just sent it
back for repair and suck up the cost or buy another or go in another
direction? I could always go to a chrysler chrome box w/ballast.

Open to comments & suggestions

Tim Lisson · 03-22-2011, 02:56 PM

Personally, I would go with the Digital 6 rather than the 6AL box. Back when the 6AL was the only option they seemed to have a short life (2 years).

I have been told that MSD came out with a programable 6 but haven't verified.

Tim

Alan Roehrich · 03-22-2011, 02:58 PM

I haven't had that much trouble with MSD stuff, I've had 6 series stuff last decades.

Google MSD repair.

older racer · 03-22-2011, 03:08 PM

hi, just curious, did you bypass the ballast resister?

Philip Saran · 03-22-2011, 03:23 PM

Oldracer,

Yes according to the instructions you eliminate the ballast resister when
you add the MSD 6AL unit.

1320racer · 03-22-2011, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philip Saran

What has been your experience with MSD products, Failure rate of a MSD 6AL?

The above box was installed on the firewall in 1991 and performed flawlessly up to the time it was removed and sold in 2007 when I swapped it out for a Digital 6 which has not been a plug and play box for many including myself.

3 boxes later along with changing all the ignition components and the issue was resolved.

Jim Kaekel · 03-22-2011, 04:20 PM

I've run MSD 6T, 6AL and Digital 7 Plus boxes for roughly 25 years and in that time had 1 (Digital 7 Plus) failure. In my experience, other than simply following directions, the things to really pay attention to are grounds and supply voltage. Their tech offer exceptional help when required as well.

Dragsinger · 03-22-2011, 04:52 PM

this company does a good upgrade on the MSD 6AL. He is in NASCAR country and does work for many of the NASCAR Teams.

http://www.techwestracing.com/

Tom Goldman · 03-22-2011, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

I haven't had that much trouble with MSD stuff, I've had 6 series stuff last decades.

Google MSD repair.

X2 on the decades. I have 6AL in a car thats 28 years old!

Rich Biebel · 03-22-2011, 06:36 PM

Over many years I've had a few MSD boxes fail or cause trouble. One thing I would not do is send it back to them.. Waste of time.....sell it or trash it and buy a new one....I have had at least 2 7AL2's fail or cause missing. 1 Digital 6 failed but it may have gotten wet so I don't blame the box for that one....

I work on Inverter type welders and they don't like water either!!! Solid state....very high tech electronics....

The usual Nascar "Cup Car" has 2 seperate MSD's and a switch for the driver to use should he have an ignition problem.....

Mallory supplied the ignition boxes to one of the NASCAR round track series and they used to say they never had a box failure out on the racetrack.

I would use a Mallory in a heartbeat but MSD is what everyone is familiar with and their Digital boxes have features that are very helpfull to some....

I have a freind who just installed a Digital 7 with timing control to help him with a very temper"mental" car.......I am anxious to see if it works for him...

03-22-2011, 02:47 PM	#1
Philip Saran Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Parker, CO. Posts: 728 Likes: 163 Liked 14 Times in 11 Posts	Failure rate of a MSD 6AL? I've been fighting a no spark problem for a while now, I've done the tests as outlined on the MSD website. This unit has less than two hours run time on it. Of course I bought it longer than a year ago (how time flies) so no warranty. What has been your experience with MSD products? Just sent it back for repair and suck up the cost or buy another or go in another direction? I could always go to a chrysler chrome box w/ballast. Open to comments & suggestions __________________ Phil Saran Parker, Colorado

03-22-2011, 02:56 PM	#2
Tim Lisson Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Solon Springs, WI Posts: 166 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Failure rate of a MSD 6AL? Personally, I would go with the Digital 6 rather than the 6AL box. Back when the 6AL was the only option they seemed to have a short life (2 years). I have been told that MSD came out with a programable 6 but haven't verified. Tim

03-22-2011, 02:58 PM	#3
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,095 Likes: 1,541 Liked 1,769 Times in 402 Posts	Re: Failure rate of a MSD 6AL? I haven't had that much trouble with MSD stuff, I've had 6 series stuff last decades. Google MSD repair. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

03-22-2011, 03:08 PM	#4
older racer Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 211 Likes: 13 Liked 64 Times in 25 Posts	Re: Failure rate of a MSD 6AL? hi, just curious, did you bypass the ballast resister?

03-22-2011, 03:23 PM	#5
Philip Saran Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Parker, CO. Posts: 728 Likes: 163 Liked 14 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Failure rate of a MSD 6AL? Oldracer, Yes according to the instructions you eliminate the ballast resister when you add the MSD 6AL unit. __________________ Phil Saran Parker, Colorado

03-22-2011, 04:20 PM	#7
Jim Kaekel VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,226 Likes: 133 Liked 529 Times in 107 Posts	Re: Failure rate of a MSD 6AL? I've run MSD 6T, 6AL and Digital 7 Plus boxes for roughly 25 years and in that time had 1 (Digital 7 Plus) failure. In my experience, other than simply following directions, the things to really pay attention to are grounds and supply voltage. Their tech offer exceptional help when required as well. __________________ Jim Kaekel 3836 STK

03-22-2011, 04:52 PM	#8
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,760 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Failure rate of a MSD 6AL? this company does a good upgrade on the MSD 6AL. He is in NASCAR country and does work for many of the NASCAR Teams. http://www.techwestracing.com/ __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

03-22-2011, 06:36 PM	#10
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,314 Likes: 25 Liked 544 Times in 213 Posts	Re: Failure rate of a MSD 6AL? Over many years I've had a few MSD boxes fail or cause trouble. One thing I would not do is send it back to them.. Waste of time.....sell it or trash it and buy a new one....I have had at least 2 7AL2's fail or cause missing. 1 Digital 6 failed but it may have gotten wet so I don't blame the box for that one.... I work on Inverter type welders and they don't like water either!!! Solid state....very high tech electronics.... The usual Nascar "Cup Car" has 2 seperate MSD's and a switch for the driver to use should he have an ignition problem..... Mallory supplied the ignition boxes to one of the NASCAR round track series and they used to say they never had a box failure out on the racetrack. I would use a Mallory in a heartbeat but MSD is what everyone is familiar with and their Digital boxes have features that are very helpfull to some.... I have a freind who just installed a Digital 7 with timing control to help him with a very temper"mental" car.......I am anxious to see if it works for him... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R Last edited by Rich Biebel; 03-22-2011 at 06:40 PM.