No spark with HEI and MSD 6A box

[DreamRyder1963]

I am having trouble with my 71 Chevy c-10 with 350 V8 with HEI and MSD 6A box. I am converting to a 6A box I followed the wiring diagrams provided by MSD and I am getting no spark. I changed to a MSD street fire HEI distributor because I found the wire was broken on the old one, I still have no spark. I disconnected the 6A box and rewired it to stock HEI specks now I have spark but the truck won't run. I think it's out of time because it tries to run but it won't keep going. Is there a way I can get it back in time without using a light, because there doesn't seem to be a timing tab on it? Is there a reason that it would not run when wired to the box according to MSD diagram?
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[Lee H]

Have you verified the box is good? As far as the timing, you need to verify TDC on the compression stroke and install a timing tab. Without that your only guessing and it will never be right. Just for kicks, what is the serial number of your box?

[hugger6933]

If it won't stay running, the timing is too far retarded and needs to be advanced to make it run on its own. If there is a problem in the box stopping it from firing you have done the first thing I would have done , wire it to bypass the box to see if it would fire. I would check the connections at the box and the ground wires for the box the only problems I have ever had out of MSD stuff was my wiring or connections.
Now as far as checking the timing the best thing is to start from scratch with a static time. Since you don't have a pointer it may be a little more difficult but still way doable. Take the #1 plug out and turn the motor[in direction of rotation, clockwise] and go until you come up upon the compression stroke one the #1 cyl. Some do this by putting their finger over the spark plug hole and wait for the compression to blow their finger off. Now since you don't have a tab, this might be where the complacation comes in. If you not 100% positive about it being the compression stroke pull the drivers side valve cover and watch the first two rocker arms. As you are approaching the TDC of the stroke, both of the valves will be closed and the pushrods will have a slight bit of slack in them. If they don't and you have one valve open you are 180 degrees out of phase.Now that you have the motor at TDC#1 take the dist. cap off and the rotor button end should be pointing to where the #1 wire terminal is on the cap. If so put the cap back on loosen the dist. hold down bolt turn on the key and rotate the dist at some point it should fire the loose #1 spark plug wire that has the plug in it you took out of the head earlier. As you rotate it it will fire at some point and that is where you should try starting from. If the motor turns slow and hard like turn the dist. counter clockwise, if it cranks over like it is not firing clockwise. That should help. Jim

[DreamRyder1963]

It looks like my first step will be to reset the timing. I am also going to call MSD tech tomorrow and see what they think concerning the box.
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[geezer#99]

If you're going to find tdc you should install an adjustable pointer on your timing cover.

[WIDESIDE72]

Originally Posted by Lee H

Have you verified the box is good? As far as the timing, you need to verify TDC on the compression stroke and install a timing tab. Without that your only guessing and it will never be right. Just for kicks, what is the serial number of your box?

Correct me if I am wrong , but I believe Lee is asking about the sn of the MSDin reference to The article in the last issue of Hot Rod magazine regarding counterfeit speed parts. All of the known LSD counterfeits have the same sn. I don't have the mag handy for reference n
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[DreamRyder1963]

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

Correct me if I am wrong , but I believe Lee is asking about the sn of the MSDin reference to The article in the last issue of Hot Rod magazine regarding counterfeit speed parts. All of the known LSD counterfeits have the same sn. I don't have the mag handy for reference n
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It's definitely not a counterfeit. It is the new digital 6a box with the new face. Plus I bought this from Advance who gets it directly from MSD.
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[DreamRyder1963]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

If you're going to find tdc you should install an adjustable pointer on your timing cover.

I probably will. If I'm going to do that much work I should make it useable later.
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[geezer#99]

Here's a link with good info on finding TDC and how to make a piston stop for accuracy.
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=123659

[DreamRyder1963]

I got the timing fix and its running with no problem now. I also called MSD and they said that its the pickup in the distributor. So I need to exchange it for another unit.
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[geezer#99]

Feedback time!
Tell us what you did?

[DreamRyder1963]

I followed hugger6933 advice and removed the #1 plug and found TDC. My distrubitor was a tooth ahead. Now I just need to figure out the issue with the 6a box.