INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

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Routing: Correct routing of the plug wires is also important to performance. Wires should be routed

away from sharp edges and engine heat sources. If there are two wires that are next to each other in

the engine’s firing order, the wires should be routed away from each other to avoid inducing a spark

into the other wire. For example, in a Chevy V8, the firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. The #5 and #7

cylinders are next to each other in the engine and in the firing order. If the voltage from the #5 wire

is induced into #7 detonation could occur and cause engine damage.

To add more heat protection to your plug wires, MSD offers Pro-Heat Guard, PN 3411. This is a glass

woven and silicone coated protective sleeve that you slide over your plug wires. For extra protection

of the spark plug boots, MSD offers Pro Boot Guard, PN 3412.

Spark Plugs: Choosing the correct spark plug design and heat range is important when trying to get

the best performance possible. Since there are so many engine combinations and manufacturers,

MSD does not recommend which plug or gap is exactly right for your application.

It is recommended to follow the engine builder or manufacturer’s specification for spark plugs. With

that, you can then experiment with the plug gap to obtain the best performance. The gap of the plugs

can be opened in 0.005" increments, then tested until the best performance is obtained. MSD judges

the plug gap by compression and components.

These examples are just starting points to get you going

in the right direction. Every application is different and

should be tested and tuned.

Note: Close the spark plug gap down as compression increases.

Welding: If you are welding on your vehicle, to avoid the chance of damage, always disconnect both

Heavy Power cables of the MSD (You should also disconnect the tach ground wire too).

Distributor Cap and Rotor: It is recommended to install a new distributor cap and rotor when installing

the MSD Ignition Control. The cap should be clean inside and out especially the terminals and rotor tip.

On vehicles with smaller caps, it is possible for the air inside the cap to become electrically charged

causing crossfire which can result in misfire. This can be prevented by drilling a couple vent holes in

the cap. The holes should be placed between the terminals, at rotor height and face away from the

intake. If your environment demands it, place a small piece of screen over the hole to act as a filter.

MOUNTING

The MSD can be mounted in the engine compartment as long as it is away from direct engine heat

sources. It is not recommended to mount the unit in an enclosed area such as the glove box.

When you find a suitable location to mount the unit, make sure the wires of the ignition reach their

connections. Also be sure that the program dials can be accessed. Hold the Ignition in place and

mark the location of the mounting holes. Use a 3/16" bit to drill holes, install the vibration mounts and

mount the ignition.

Compression

Spark Plug Gap

Up to 10.5:1:

0.035" - 0.045"

10.5:1 - 13.0:1:

0.030" - 0.035"

Above 13.0:1:

0.025" - 0.030"