Location for MSD Ignition Box

[Broadwaydan]

For anybody running with an MSD coil and ignition box, do you have any info and/or photos of where you located the box in the engine compartment? I was thinking on the firewall or just below since there is nothing there now. One friend said to find a location with less heat - not sure exactly where that might be. :) More towards front or car or higher or lower?? Not really sure it matters that much. Getting close to installing the engine and tranny, so may help show where space might be, but without all the other parts and pieces in the engine compartment not really sure what my options are.

[AJ Roadster NJ]

Here's a picture of where mine is right now, but I am going to move it. It's new location will use the same four mounting holes, but from the inside of the firewall. The box will be between the firewall and the dash, accessible but not visible.

First reason to move it is because it is in the way of the windshield wiper setup. Second, it will be better for heat, although I don't think that is a showstopper issue, but it can't hurt to move it inside the car.

7687

HTH.

AJ

[AJ Roadster NJ]

Incidentally, that is a 351W motor. You have a bit more room with a 289/302 based engine, because of the lower deck height and therefore smaller "shoulders."

[edwardb]

Put mine on the firewall behind the motor. I don't think heat as an issue there. I can't imagine it's much different than on the pass side foot box, where I see them quite frequently. Only thing cooler would be in the dash, but room can be an issue, plus hard to get in/out. Centered behind the motor like this the wiring runs are direct and neat.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%203%20Roadster%20Build/Finished/th_IMG_1377.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%203%20Roadster%20Build/Finished/?action=view&current=IMG_1377.jpg)

[AC Bill]

If your using an oil filled coil, when mounting it, keep in mind heat can also affect them, not just the box.

[emac]

I mounted my box on top of the passenger footbox. Coil mounted on the firewall nearby. The solenoid and master cutoff are also on the firewall. Some people like a clean firewall. I like easy access. To each his own. No wipers or heater on my car.

[cmsu]

Wow that is an amazing shot (AJ Roadster NJ)

[AJ Roadster NJ]

Thanks, cmsu. Ya oughtta hear that sucker run. :cool: It makes women and small children quake with fear.

[snakebit31]

I mounted my roadster MSD box behind the engine on the firewall. Lots of heat from the FE, but never had any problems. The coil mounted on the front of the aluminum heads.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v451/snakebit31/Cobra%20Build/Engine.jpg

The coupe's box is mounted on the top of the passenger's footbox.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v451/snakebit31/coupe%20photos/EngineIn13.jpg

A friend's Superformance has his mounted on the inside, on the transmission tunnel, just below the dash. I have also seen them on FF's mounted to the inside of the Passenger footbox on the inboard panel.

Rob

[AJ Roadster NJ]

I think it is really interesting that MSD has such a stranglehold on our ignition systems. I'm using their MSD6AL, Blaster 2 coil, and Pro Billet distributor, which I think is a pretty common setup. Note that all of us so far have mounted our coils on the front of the drivers-side head, which is a traditional location for a Ford lump because it is so convenient.

Rob and Edward, have you guys set up your windshield wipers yet in the space remaining towards the passenger outside of the firewall? Any issues?

AJ

[snakebit31]

Hey AJ,
I did not run (or required to run) wipers on the roadster. I am running a single marine wiper on the coupe, mounted just to the driver's side of center. The AC is in the box behind the MSD box on the coupe.

Rob

[edwardb]

Rob and Edward, have you guys set up your windshield wipers yet in the space remaining towards the passenger outside of the firewall? Any issues?AJ

Couldn't find any pictures showing the MSD box and the wipers together, so just went out and snapped a couple. All fits fine. I don't have a heater (went with glove box and seat heaters) so don't have that in the way. The Roadster is a little further along than the picture in post #4. Done and legal. Couple of weeks ago painted the air cleaner the body color. Can't wait for warmer weather to get back on the street.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%203%20Roadster%20Build/Wipers/th_IMG_1655.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%203%20Roadster%20Build/Wipers/?action=view&current=IMG_1655.jpg)

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%203%20Roadster%20Build/Wipers/th_IMG_1657.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%203%20Roadster%20Build/Wipers/?action=view&current=IMG_1657.jpg)

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%203%20Roadster%20Build/Wipers/th_IMG_1658.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%203%20Roadster%20Build/Wipers/?action=view&current=IMG_1658.jpg)

[Broadwaydan]

Thanks for all of the information. I think the firewall is the way I will go - that was my original plan and looks like it has been successful for many others.

Dan

[emac]

7746

Hear is a picture of my firewall.

[3kcarbon]

I have a MSD Pro billet dizzy and the blaster coil and no MSD box. Runs just fine. I was concerned about the high failure rate reported by many owners. I went with the base setup and have not seen any reason to add the box. No location issue and no failure not to mention I saved a few bucks. If I see a reason I may roll the dice and add the control box but so far so good.

[lilnuke]

I mounted my MSD behind motor on the firewall with the coil just next to it. You can see the MSD box wedged between the heater (bottom) and the brake fluid reservior extension (top). Space really not a concern. I was not to worried about heat as I have mounted MSD in engine bay with no issues before. MSD instrucitons mention not to mount unit in an enclosed space, such as a glove box, just away from direct engine heat.

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/181961_1692111655027_1004825836_31527804_531354_n. jpg

[South Dakobra]

I wanted the coil away from vibrations and the box away from heat. Coil is mounted on the firewall - found a chrome that blended right in. MSD Box is in the passenger footbox not visible in most cases.
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p121/dakobra/IMG_0272.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p121/dakobra/IMG_30731.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p121/dakobra/IMG_1436-1.jpg

[knuclebuster]

7831

I mounted mine below the firewall directly over the bellhousing. There is an area boxed in by the 3/4" square tubing that the MSD AL6 will fit comfortably. I had to do a minor amount of work on the vibration absorbers but nothing major by any means. Fits real nice and keeps the firewall clean. Hardest part was getting the holes drilled for a perfect fit. There is not much room but enough. Because I have the firewall forward, I could then run the wiring straight up throught the firewall and missed the bigger piece of square tubing. Worked for me, take yours out of the box and see how it works for you.

Todd

[JimmyZ]

This is an old picture of my MKI and this is my location on the X brace between the radiator and engine. It's been there since 1998 and car has well over 40K miles and those are still the original boxes with no problems. Red box is 6AL ignition module and blue box is ignition boost control for the supercharger (retards timing when under boost).
Jim

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/yy296/Jim1369/a88b.jpg

[racecartom]

Rob,
I also live in VB and am waiting on DMV inspector come and assign a VIN. How painful is that process? I was concerned about installing windshield wipers but I saw where you said they are not required in Virginia. Did you tag as an antique or replica? What do you do for fun with your roadster? I'm planning to autocross, track day and maybe a show or two. call if you want to chat a little. 424 2570, Tom

[Mesa Mike]

I monted mine on the driver side "F" panel. Plenty of fresh cool air coming in for the box. Close to the distributor. No wires run across the engine. 11 years of problem free operation.

[snakebit31]

Tom,
I will give you a call. With the SEMA bill passing in Virginia, registration is different than it was when I did it ten years ago. There is now a category for replica vehicles. Back in the day, I registered as an antique since my engine was a 1965 FE, and the MCO from FF stated a 1965 Roadster.

Rob