The Msd Boxes Only Control The Spark Not The Curve. Unless You Buy The Boost Retard Box Which You Mite Need If You Want To Up The Boost In The Near Future. It Takes Timing Out When The Motor Starts Making Boost. And It Adjustable, You Can Take Out Zero Per Pound Or Up To Three Degrees Per Pound Of Boost. I Purchased The Standard Msd And Locked It Myself. Very Easy To Do. And Its Cheaper Than The Locked One. Mine Idles Better In Gear And Cranks Fine With The Timing Locked At 30%. Actually I Still Have To Up The Timing A Bit But With The Gas These Days You Never Know What Your Getting.

I agree. Lots of good info here on the correct method for setting up your MARINE ignition. Locking out your distributor does not lock you out from controlling your ignition timing. You can actually control it better with todays technology. My setup is: MSD 6M = spark amplifier and multi-spark
MSD 8981 = total timing controls
MSD soft touch = rev controller

Yes you can lock out your own distributor. Easily done with the MSD kit (or have MSD do it with the rebuild).
The 6M ignition unit amplifies the spark and provides you with a multiple spark condition up to 3,000 rpm. All other functions are controlled by the other (if installed) units.
The 8981 timing controller is a great product. You set the total timing number (with your distributor) and the rest is up to the 8981 (and how you set it up). Good luck on your ignition project.
http://www.msdignition.com/tc_3.htm

Thanks for the responses, great info!!

All of my SC engine packages I lock the timing out also. Very good choice to do!

Its been rough this week.Getting stuff done so i can go to LOTO this coming week.I will call you Kendall

No problem Jeff, I completely understand. Go have a good time.