Help with ignition system - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

62step · 04-10-2014, 01:15 PM

Hey guys, and gals.
I'm building a 62 c10 stepside. I need to know which ignition system I would use.. Putting a 350 bored 40 over with 274h comp cam. 041x heads. And turbo 350 trans.

Should I go with msd 6al whole set (dist, box, and stuff) or something else?

I ordered the american auto wire set off eBay with connectors and all if that helps..

Thanks mike

TopFuel1966 · 04-10-2014, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62step

Should I go with msd 6al whole set (dist, box, and stuff) ?

I did and I'd do it again without any reservation.

**PGSigns** · 04-10-2014, 02:24 PM

For what you have a hei with a good coil in it or any electronic with a MSD blaster coil would do fine. Or the MSD hei. Nothing wrong with the 6al but it is over kill.
Jimmy

cg285 · 04-10-2014, 03:56 PM

i would use a point system with a stock coil as the voltage capability is more than you will ever need. but i'm old school/dependable and somehow that setup worked just fine on our oval track cars, back in the day, turning 8k.

62step · 04-10-2014, 05:55 PM

Any links to any of these y'all suggested?

NEWFISHER · 04-10-2014, 07:14 PM

GM HEI, simple, easy to find parts ( if you ever would need them) and run great in a 350

**TBONE1964** · 04-10-2014, 07:21 PM

As mentioned by others the GM HEI is very reliable. If you want the stock look with reliability and no adjusting then use a pertronix set up. I have one in my 64 with a 292 and that truck will light up before I can get my hand off the key.

Depends on your needs also.

62step · 04-10-2014, 09:09 PM

Would this be a good setup? Where would I get a 'box' from though?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pertronix-BU...f039d9&vxp=mtr

Thanks for the help

62step · 04-10-2014, 09:24 PM

Ok, sorry for posting so many questions, but with the HEI I won't need a 'blaster' correct? I will just need the distributor? Sorry not too familiar with the ignition stuff, friend told me I should go MSD, but then again he likes to race and stuff like that. I just want to do a couple burnouts time to time..

Irishbleueyes · 04-10-2014, 11:46 PM

HEI comes with coil on the top of the cap, plug and play. You will need the pigtail and a new full 12v source from the keyed side of the ignition. Use only factory GM module and not the junk "hi performance" crap out there. Works excellent but only for stock low RPM engines. MSD 6a or 6al is amazing, it replaces the module in the dist and boosts more power still to the plugs. It fires continuously for 20 degress of crank rotation thus firing the plugs up to 10 times a cycle up to 3000 RPM. Will allow for hi RPM's and the 6al has a rev limiter. It can and most times will help with mileage and will definitely smooth out the idle and give instant starts. You can also delete the coil in the HEI and use a MSD external coil for extra voltage to the plugs. You will only be able to use spiral core spark plug wires with an MSD system and you will have buy an MSD capable timing light. Ignition systems can get expensive but you can piece them together from sellers on Ebay and save some money. Invest in a vacuum gauge for best timing and idle settings and an AFR gauge or meter to really dial it in. Have fun

04-10-2014, 01:15 PM	#1
62step Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Rock Hill SC Posts: 156	Help with ignition system Hey guys, and gals. I'm building a 62 c10 stepside. I need to know which ignition system I would use.. Putting a 350 bored 40 over with 274h comp cam. 041x heads. And turbo 350 trans. Should I go with msd 6al whole set (dist, box, and stuff) or something else? I ordered the american auto wire set off eBay with connectors and all if that helps.. Thanks mike

04-10-2014, 02:24 PM	#3
PGSigns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Hayes Va Posts: 4,569	Re: Help with ignition system For what you have a hei with a good coil in it or any electronic with a MSD blaster coil would do fine. Or the MSD hei. Nothing wrong with the 6al but it is over kill. Jimmy __________________ 60 to 66 Chevy and GMC window decals http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=661131 Good friends, good food and a hotrod what else do you need? 1966 BBW long fleet Daily driver 1965 BBW short fleet Sold and going to a good home 1965 Suburban 2003 3500 Duramax 2005 Ultra Classic

04-10-2014, 03:56 PM	#4
cg285 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: sumterville, florida Posts: 914	Re: Help with ignition system i would use a point system with a stock coil as the voltage capability is more than you will ever need. but i'm old school/dependable and somehow that setup worked just fine on our oval track cars, back in the day, turning 8k.

04-10-2014, 05:55 PM	#5
62step Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Rock Hill SC Posts: 156	Re: Help with ignition system Any links to any of these y'all suggested?

04-10-2014, 07:14 PM	#6
NEWFISHER Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 3,303	Re: Help with ignition system GM HEI, simple, easy to find parts ( if you ever would need them) and run great in a 350 __________________ GOD BLESS AMERICA!

04-10-2014, 07:21 PM	#7
TBONE1964 Cluster King Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Junction City, OR Posts: 5,263	Re: Help with ignition system As mentioned by others the GM HEI is very reliable. If you want the stock look with reliability and no adjusting then use a pertronix set up. I have one in my 64 with a 292 and that truck will light up before I can get my hand off the key. Depends on your needs also. __________________ Contact me on all of your gauge cluster needs. I specialize in restoration, repair and parts sales for 67-72 Chevy and GMC trucks. email me at tbonegarris@yahoo.com I am also a dealer for Counterpart for gauge cluster parts only. Also see my facebook page, CG&C

04-10-2014, 09:09 PM	#8
62step Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Rock Hill SC Posts: 156	Re: Help with ignition system Would this be a good setup? Where would I get a 'box' from though? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pertronix-BU...f039d9&vxp=mtr Thanks for the help

04-10-2014, 09:24 PM	#9
62step Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Rock Hill SC Posts: 156	Re: Help with ignition system Ok, sorry for posting so many questions, but with the HEI I won't need a 'blaster' correct? I will just need the distributor? Sorry not too familiar with the ignition stuff, friend told me I should go MSD, but then again he likes to race and stuff like that. I just want to do a couple burnouts time to time..

04-10-2014, 11:46 PM	#10
Irishbleueyes Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Solvang, Ca 93463 Posts: 323	Re: Help with ignition system HEI comes with coil on the top of the cap, plug and play. You will need the pigtail and a new full 12v source from the keyed side of the ignition. Use only factory GM module and not the junk "hi performance" crap out there. Works excellent but only for stock low RPM engines. MSD 6a or 6al is amazing, it replaces the module in the dist and boosts more power still to the plugs. It fires continuously for 20 degress of crank rotation thus firing the plugs up to 10 times a cycle up to 3000 RPM. Will allow for hi RPM's and the 6al has a rev limiter. It can and most times will help with mileage and will definitely smooth out the idle and give instant starts. You can also delete the coil in the HEI and use a MSD external coil for extra voltage to the plugs. You will only be able to use spiral core spark plug wires with an MSD system and you will have buy an MSD capable timing light. Ignition systems can get expensive but you can piece them together from sellers on Ebay and save some money. Invest in a vacuum gauge for best timing and idle settings and an AFR gauge or meter to really dial it in. Have fun



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