MSD 6A ignition bypass? '71 w/350

[MAC71Cheyenne]

Truck won't start, no juice from the box. Checked grounds, power to the box, continuity and coil. Is their anyway to bypass the box? Just to get it started.
The original GM connectors and wire are gone. GM module is gone. Somewhat of a hack job by a PO.
Or, due to age and unknowns... suppose it would be less frustration to just acquire a new system and distributor?
If so any recommendations?
350/TH400/Edelbrock intake and 750 cm carb. Engine internal mods are unknown.
...1 thing leads to 100..

[garyd1961]

Not sure what distributor you have now but just get a good HEI distributor and run a keyed hot wire and you should be good to go.

[weq92f]

.
Check the 6A to see if it's putting out spark using the procedure in the following document...page 9 "Checking For Spark"

https://documents.holley.com/6201.pdf

-klb

[MAC71Cheyenne]

I spent a couple hours scrolling and reading MSD's tech and tips. Did the spark test...it's dead. Power in but no output.
I'm not sure who made the distributor. Haven't pulled it out. All the original connectors were cut out and open female spade connections were on it.
My electrical genius is pretty basic so with things as they are it looks like the best route is going to be to replace it all with new. At least I will have a system without all the unknown age and reliability issues.
As there are a zillion different choices and this is unknown territory for me, even with reading up and past faq..Any suggestions for a complete basic set of HEI components for a driver?
Appreciate the advice.

[Mts67C10K20]

Summit racing has several stock type hei distributors for under 100 bucks
I have run several of the summit brand units with good results

[MAC71Cheyenne]

Mts67c10k20
Sent pm

[Ironangel]

Never understood the need to go undercover? Why start a thread asking for help only to hide the possible fixes and dialog in a private message? Last comment..."You get what you pay for!"

[MAC71Cheyenne]

Just was asking for a couple suggestions on the wiring of the module since he said he had done several.
Open to anyone for hints and tricks.
Have any, Like to hear them.
Thanks!

[Ironangel]

Originally Posted by MAC71Cheyenne

Just was asking for a couple suggestions on the wiring of the module since he said he had done several.
Open to anyone for hints and tricks.
Have any, Like to hear them.
Thanks!

Unless you plan on rapping that motor against the rev limiter you dont need the box. Locating a good factory GM HEI distributor from a late 70's thru 80's V8 truck or car would be my first choice. The Summit, Jegs, Speedway, etc. dizzy's are Chinese based ProForm knockoffs including the MSD Street Fire. The MSD Pro-Billet line of dizzy's including DEI's line of dizzy's are assembled in the US using "globally sourced components" placing them one click above the $100 Chinese knockoffs. I'm not going to push anything not made here in the US. With that said I will tell you that the MSD Ready To Run 8360 distributor with 8202 Blaster II coil will eliminate the need for the box "and" provide a built in programable rev limiter. Option A, get a good rebuilt factory HEI dizzy for around $100...Option B, Spend the $500 for the MSD Ready To Run dizzy, coil & wires...

[MAC71Cheyenne]

I like that idea! Simple question, simple answer.
Let yah know how it goes.

[Barnfind46]

I am running an HEI from Summit under the Accel brand. I am sure it was made in China but was good quality and the truck runs flawless. $87.00.

[Mts67C10K20]

Sorry have not logged in for a few days
When I said used a few was referring to the hei distributors only
Which are a plug in factory replacement
I am afraid I have no experience with the other
May be best to wait for the tech if your not shur
Good luck

[MAC71Cheyenne]

Pulled out all the MSD entrails and the dist. No casting numbers or tag on the dist body. Locating used parts around here is tough. The junk yards are thin around here operate on the bring it in, crush it and move on model.
There is a guy in town that I trade insults with when we cross paths that has a bunch of older vehicles. Mostly retired and finding him around the his old shop is hit and miss. Asked him if he kept anything around. Big grin...came back with a cart loaded with "stuff". Dug around and came up with a couple samples. Picked a clean one, no coil and cracked cap. Minor horse trading and parenting insults later it was mine.
New cap, coil, and 4 pin module later it dropped right in.
Fired up first spin. Timing is @ 12 btc. Need to do some reading up about any further adjustments but she runs.
....tip of the hat Ironangle, Keep your GM vehicle all GM.
Learning as I go.

[SCOTI]

The MSD 6A ignition boxes used to be a good thing. Used to.... Prior to the year 2k. Since then, the boxes seem to crap out w/high frequency.

I had one of the MSD 6A/HEI set-ups on a G-body build from '94. When that vehicle met its demise, the parts got shelved a couple of years until I got my 74C10 in '00. It was swapped in & worked for 10yrs on that truck until the new owner swapped to a aftermarket TBI set-up. He offered it back to me so back on the shelf it went. I helped a co-worker/buddy w/his sons El Camino build & we pulled the old MSD/HEI unit to replace his mis-matched set-up. After a year or so it started acting up. It would refuse to start & sometimes you could do the old 'whack' trick & it would function. Simple fix right? Get another box. But within a short period (less than a year), box #2 was doing the same thing. Box #3 was a repeat.

The young-gun is off @ college now so that Elco sits & waits for it's parole. First thing on the list is removing the MSD set-up for a used GM HEI.

[MAC71Cheyenne]

I just acquired this truck in May. Came from Arizona. The MSD was clean but obviously older. Ran fine but one day it was dead. No output. Hot going in. The sad thing is everything now is from Chin A or assembled here but with globally sourced parts. Hard to keep the old GM all GM. The interior door handles and window cranks were all snapped off...made in China. Happened to have a set of both GM originals and there is no comparison.
I for one would pay more for quality American made but it just is not out there, as far as I know.