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Flathead electronic ignition questions??????

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by jonnyzepp, Aug 11, 2009.

  1. jonnyzepp
    Joined: Sep 8, 2006
    Posts: 126

    jonnyzepp
    Member

    Got a lot of questions about my 59AB flathead with an electronic ignition. Sad to say but the guy that built the motor for me recommended and installed a Speedway ProComp electronic ignition for me. Now it won't run and the problem looks to be the ProComp box. No power coming out. I'm ready to finally drive my 37 Ford and this happens.

    Here's where my questions begin. Let me apologize in advance for my ignorance.

    Can I use an MSD box to replace the ProComp box since I've learned they are mostly Chinese junk?

    I've got the Speedway distributor. Will that work with the MSD box?

    Do I need any special resistors(?) in the wiring somewhere?

    Can I use the black oil-filled coil that came with the Speedway package, mounted sideways, or should I just buy a new MSD coil to match the new MSD box?

    What should be the gap on the spark plug? I've seen different numbers and I'm confused.

    Anything else I need to look out for? I know I'm learning an expensive lesson with my flathead. I guess I trusted the builder a little too much. Your ***istance is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
     
  2. Da Tinman
    Joined: Dec 29, 2005
    Posts: 4,222

    Da Tinman
    Member

    Take out all that ****, use msd stuff from one end to the other, or contact GMCBubba here on the hamb and get one of his ready to run dizzy's.

    no resistors with msd

    As for plug gap, if your running msd stuff and a blaster2 coil, you should be able to fire .060 gap easily.
     
  3. HD74
    Joined: Jan 24, 2009
    Posts: 303

    HD74
    Member

    Like the Da Tinman said get the **** out. I'm running a MSD ready to run and a Blaster 2 and no box. Simple.
     
  4. George G
    Joined: Jun 28, 2005
    Posts: 1,275

    George G
    Member

  5. BAKERSFIELD
    Joined: Feb 3, 2007
    Posts: 166

    BAKERSFIELD
    Member

    I just ordered the msd 8573 " Ready to Run" and can't wait to get it. The Hot Rod Company had the best price around with your Alliance Member discount and free shipping!
    Thanks for the info guys I was needing to make my mind up for my 53' flathead that is being built right now...Done deal!
     
  6. TraderJack
    Joined: Apr 10, 2008
    Posts: 330

    TraderJack
    Member

    Jeez, go back to the mechanic who built the damn thing and ask him to fix it, or let you know how to fix it.

    May not be the ignition at all, you know!

    traderjack
     
  7. j ripper
    Joined: Aug 2, 2006
    Posts: 864

    j ripper
    Member
    from napa ca.

    points will get you home...
     
  8. msd is made in china too. i have a pro billet, with a 6a box and a blaster ss coil on my '47 (previous owner) and they ****......no cap vent, so you rust up the insides (you would think for a $600+ system they would have thought of that). i'm going to look into gmcbubba's set-up.
     
  9. I was helping a friend install a pro comp box and dist in a 40 truck could not get any juice out of the box . Talked to their tech he didn't have a clue as towhat was going on and no troubleshooting skills at all. We sent it back got the MSD all is good.
     
  10. tierod
    Joined: Oct 19, 2006
    Posts: 1,547

    tierod
    Member

    GUY's
    PM or Call GMC BUBBA....He did my Dizzy,,,,best it ever ran.
    888-809-3835
     
  11. Flat Ernie
    Joined: Jun 5, 2002
    Posts: 8,406

    Flat Ernie
    Tech Editor

    You can run an MSD box with a pro-comp distributor. Use a standard MSD wiring diagram (google it - they're online).

    I don't know that I'd run their boxes, but the distributors seem ok-enough.

    That said, I've got a GMCBubba SBC conversion distributor on my 8BA and really like it.
     
  12. RAY With
    Joined: Mar 15, 2009
    Posts: 3,132

    RAY With
    Member

    All of pro comp is substandard junk. The only thing there good for is to put you walking. MSD or stock ford is the best way to go and MSD has a great tech dept.
     
  13. ricardo_rocha
    Joined: Nov 29, 2008
    Posts: 765

    ricardo_rocha
    Member
    from Brazil

    good information..Im installing MSD on my Mercury...
     
  14. 8-Track
    Joined: Jul 26, 2008
    Posts: 396

    8-Track
    Member

    I have the new MSD ready to run distributor on my flathead . It does not need the box to run.
     
  15. BillM
    Joined: May 26, 2007
    Posts: 247

    BillM
    Member Emeritus

    Attached Files:

  16. baddean
    Joined: Nov 26, 2012
    Posts: 44

    baddean
    Member

    hi all, a bit new to this flat head thing, but loving it, i have a 34 ford 1/2 ton, ive been told it has a 51 AB flat head motor, but its runing a 2 bolt points dizzy from what i can see,ifrom my research that would make it a 41-48 cam cover and 2 bolt dizzy on a 51 AB motor?? would this be correct??, anyway, im wanting to put a msd on it, can anyone tell me if there is a 2 bolt msd still avaliable ?? looked on there website and cant seam to find one. and msd seams the go. i could get a mallory from ebay but all your reports say there ****. i was hope n to get a msd so i could build a injection system out of a old mechanical job so i need the dizzy to be locked out if i go down that path.
    so what is everyones suggestions?
     
  17. baddean
    Joined: Nov 26, 2012
    Posts: 44

    baddean
    Member

    sorry its a 59 AB flathead. so im told, so that would make it a 2 bolt crab dizzy is this correct??
     
  18. dragsled
    Joined: May 12, 2011
    Posts: 1,975

    dragsled
    Member
    from Panama IA

    As you can see, BUBBA'S the man to call, Tim Jones
     
  19. hotroddon
    Joined: Sep 22, 2007
    Posts: 28,240

    hotroddon
    Member

    It was three years ago, pretty sure he figured it out by now
     

  20. Yup. Old problem if it is not solved by now the car probably has a different owner.

    badDean,
    Start a new thread with your question. Then you will be able to get an answer, you may also get advice on how to figure out which engine you have.
     
  21. baddean
    Joined: Nov 26, 2012
    Posts: 44

    baddean
    Member

    just fitted a Mallory to my 59ab v8 and wow what a difference, I don't mind points hey I used to set em with the dwell meter on holden sixs and used to get them pupys rev n hard run n direct 12 volt apparently this is a old trick but nothing beats a electronic ign, if they had em in the day they would of run them. hey that's why they used mags right?? some may scoff at the Mallory elec but boy am I impressed with these dizzys way more adv retard then I need and this old girl revs clean till it runs out, just get one took me all of about a hour to hook up n have running. buy the way I have a good points dizzy for you die hards if you want to buy it , lmao.
     
  22. rodderbilly
    Joined: Nov 19, 2005
    Posts: 451

    rodderbilly
    Member
    from italy

    i have a procomp distr. with msd 6al box in my hot rod and work fine...
     

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