Ignition box or mechanical??

[Usudno]

So I'm going to be running an MSD 8584 on my 351W. I was thinking about running a MSD Street Fire #5520 with it. Does anyone see any problems with this combo. And one quick question. On our 56' T bird we run a Pertronix Ignitor setup. Would this be a more compact way to get electronic ignition or am I over thinking it and just mount the box.

[Railroad]

I think the MSD will provide a better performance package. The Pertronix is a nice step up from points and with a good coil will get the job done.
When the MSD box goes bad, you are not going anywhere and on a road trip you might have difficulty finding a replacement. Do not know why, but some last forever and some are short lived.

[GoDadGo]

How About Neither!

Davis Unified Ignition (aka: Performance Distributor) makes H.E.I. set ups for all sorts of Fords including Flat Heads if you want to avoid having a separate ignition box; however, they don't have corrected caps for those applications. RPM range is good up to 7,500.

[Usudno]

Can the ignitor unit work with the msd distributor that my builder is using? If it can that's probably the route I will take. It has worked flawless in several applications for us over the years.

[GoDadGo]

Can the ignitor unit work with the msd distributor that my builder is using? If it can that's probably the route I will take. It has worked flawless in several applications for us over the years.

I don't know.
I'm not that ignition system savvy.

[Usudno]

I will try and call pertronix and see what they say.

[Usudno]

No go on the ignitor. They don't have an application for my distributor.

[NAZ]

Run the MSD box. MSD does make a "ready to run" distributor for your engine that needs no box as it's integrated into the distributor. However, at $500 it's not much different in cost between your distributor and the required box. But if you like simple talk to your engine builder about a ready to run MSD distributor instead of the 8584.

[Usudno]

I went ahead and got an msd 6al and blaster 2 coil. Thanks for the help fellas.

[Avalanche325]

Don't forget to join AAA.

MSD boxes are probably the #1 cause of a Cobra going home on a flatbed. You can read thread after thread on this and the other forum. Yes, some of you guys have had them for 10+ years. I would argue that 10+ years ago, they made quality components. Unfortunately now they are not a dependable component. Do you want the cool-looking red box that bad? I'll admit I wanted one. After I read a dozen or so MSD "ride of shame" threads, I changed my mind.

Any reason you are tied to that distributor? Why not run a Pertronix Flame-Thrower III billet distributor? Multi-spark through the entire RPM range (MSD doesn't), and a rev limiter. All under a normal size distributor cap.

[Usudno]

Mainly because my distributer has already been purchased, installed and is currently being dyno'd. So being that it's suspect, what would you recommend. I havnt opened the box yet. It's sitting waiting on the engine to arrive.

[Avalanche325]

I don't have an axe to grind with MSD. Actually, Mallory Unilite let me down years ago on a 66 Mustang. Any distributor / coil / and maybe a box combo will make spark plugs go. So look at features and dependability.

I would recommend doing more reading. I was headed down the MSD AL6 path myself. When I saw the many failure threads, it scared me. I also asked the guy at Fordstrokers. His comment was "If you opened an MSD and Crane , you would throw the MSD in the trash." So that is a vote for the Crane boxes from someone who builds hundreds of engines. I liked the features and simple install of Pertronix. It is my first one and I have 10k miles, and about 100 autocross runs, so the rev limiter is well tested. But that is hardly a long term test.

I just hate to see one of us on a flatbed.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Stick an OEM Ford Duraspark on it and forget about it for 100K miles. Don't make me give my "Quit trying to use race car parts on a street car" lecture again.

Jeff

[Usudno]

Lol. The distributor is a done deal. I'm trying to get something reliable to work with it.

[bobl]

That distributor requires an ignition box, so if you already have the distributor then stay with the 6AL for simplicity.

[Usudno]

That's what I'm thinking. If I have issues I'll go duraspark all the way.

[Avalanche325]

Hey, you may be fine for years. I agree with bobl about not mixing components unless you really know what you are doing.
You need AAA anyway, no spare tire.

[KDubU]

Pertronix here and no MSD box. I remember speaking to Mike Forte about a MSD box and he said, "why bother, it's just another part that will break down." Search on here and the other forum and his words are accurate.

[GoDadGo]

Stick an OEM Ford Duraspark on it and forget about it for 100K miles. Don't make me give my "Quit trying to use race car parts on a street car" lecture again.

Jeff

Amen Brother Jeff!

That's one of the reasons why I went with an H.E.I. from Performance Distributor.
If form follows function, then things often end up easy to work on in the end.
My Dad, a Naval Architect by trade, always told me to K.I.S.S. it.

K eep
I t
S imple
S tupid

Good Luck To All & Have A Great Day!

Steve

[Usudno]

No AAA here. I have a good friend that has a wrecker service!!