msd or crane box ???
 

Hello,

I have a thunderbolt four distrubitor in great shape and tried several times to move the rotor 35 degrees several times it comes very close but I'm not sure if its 35 degrees or not. I talked with crane and of course they never heard of any problems . so I was thinking to change to a MSD box or just a msd all in one distrubitor. any suggestions. Thanks

I would go with the MSD.

MSD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:er naehrung004:

I will no longer run anything MSD makes if they gave me the crap...MSD(may soon die) their now using junk chinese componants, unless you want/need arev limiter a mallory unilite works great and is much easier to set the advance than the msd...my opinion...just pulled all the msd stuff out of my top sportsman car after 2 failures of the same parts just months apart...pick-up in the dist. Rob

Consider the using a Merc advance box. Maybe the V-6...what are your engine spec's? A lot of times used Merc boxes are available on OSO for a lot less than a new MSD Marine ignition and they are pretty much bullet proof.

Crane boxes for almost 2 years with no problems...572 motors

Crane

I think "Articfriends" (aka Smitty) could tell you guys a thing or two about MSD's stuff that he had ome disappointing experiences with their stuff right out of the box like 2-3 times in a row!!!

My experience(FYI)---I have run the same Crane Hi-6M ignition boxes and PS92 coils for the last 7-8 years now. My first water test with my boat a water cooling hose came off and began to spray one of my Crane boxes with high pressure water----that same box is in my boat today still doing its job all these years later. I will say that I still have the MSD billet distributors and MSD crank trigger system. The crank trigger system is a very reliable way to go---it eliminates the rusty pick-up in the distributor.

Doesn't DUI make a nice, self contained distributor?---I don't think it has a multiple spark though.

Ditto on the Crane stuff!!

Just why are giving up on your hole task?

the msd stuff is garbage.

same thing?
 

I just received my hi6-m after waiting 6 months (ny area)
I took the rotor to my machine shop 3 days and $65 later I installed it it the boat an now it pings pretty bad ran fine all summer. Yes we timed it.(snap-on timing light an a Mechanic with 30 years in the trade) tried different curves went thru the check list. faQ's (I'm also using the merc hall effect distributor for the same reason)
My machine shop would like to talk to crane about the 35 degree rotor phase (is thinking maybe design change have been made with no updates to the paper work?
Is this the same problem for you

The directions should have the template for drilling the holes. The directions are also downloadable off the Crane website.

I down loaded the template from the Crane site, cut it out, and used 3M spray adhesive to stick the paper cut out to the rotor wheel. Then used a center punch to locate the new holes, and drilled the wheel, per the Crane spec/sizes. I have the wheel centered to what I'd call "very very close", but it ain't perfect. Feeler guage says it's a few thou off.

I bought my Crane box from an outfit in Texas. When I was talking with the guy (who btw builds/dynos marine engines) I asked if he'd mod a wheel for me, and I'd pay him for it. He said no problem. Been a couple of years but I think he whacked me like $25.00 for the mod'd wheel. I put the (his) wheel/rotor in the distributor, and the holes were so far off one side of the wheel rubbed on the senser in the distributer. Shiddy job on his part.........

That said, it wouldn't take much on Crane's part (or maybe a small fabricating or machine shop) to provide modified wheels for the Hall affect Merc distributor. Regardless, nice thing is, you can move the wheel from rotor to rotor, when it's time for a new cap/rotor.

I would mention, the guy that assembled my 557 tried to talk me into going MSD. He told me he's put MSD's in a shidt load of boat engine builds, and has had no problems with them. Guess it's the luck of the draw??

Any updates on the this setup?

Thanks

I would go with the MSD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!.:ernaehrung004::ernaehrung004:

it's going back!!!
 

:It's that time of year in the northeast again. I haven't had time to take the boat out since. I have a complete setup now for tuning the carb (duel air/fuel ratio, jets, etc. etc ) I think it might be leaner now burning more fuel with a better spark. Well I go to winterize it and guess what! It won't even start.Went inside put on warmer coat go back out I check the lights. Led lights up then dims showing power but no light blinkin when crankin so that indicates no signal from the hall effect dist. Go back in (for a warm hat) I ordered a new replacement signal unit from merc put that in still no blinkin lights when crankin. Go thru check every connection (3 times) check the dials on the box multiple times. Turned them checked rpm ( which did work) reset tried again. Went inside put on carhart coveralls an gloves went back out and winterized it the hard way with out the boat running. Broke ice off mustach then proceded to remove crane hi-6m unit from boat that I so loving and with great care installed in my boat after waiting so long for. :grinser010:

I've used the GM External Coil HEI distributor (found on GM Trucks 87-95 TBI and also Merc EFi engines like the 502MPI) with the Crane Box. Good news is that these distributors are halfway cheap. I think $140 new from GM ?

Bypass it's module and just connect it's magnetic pick up to the Crane Box. Shazaam ! :drink:

Nice, clean and simple.
Everything in one package. $319
http://www.performancedistributors.com/marinedui.htm

Are they on sale? The site says $385.

Have you tried one of these?

Thanks,
Dave

msd
 

msn simply because they are more popular around here vs crane.

Look again. That price is for a ford. Easy to miss.
I have two buddies ran them all summer. I got one in August and love it. I don't have any pic's installed.
Call them and they will ask for cam spec's if you have them. Mine is set up for 24* full advance at 3000rpm. Don't worry about setting base timing. Get you motor warmed up. Bring it up to 3000 rpm and set your total advance timing. Got mine set at 37*
I ordered it and had it a few days.
Mike

Yep, blind in one eye and can't see out the other :rolleyes:
Thanks

Just spoke with Crane and told them I was nervous about waiting until March to dyno with my new Crane boxes. They stated that they have not had one call or any issue with the recently released HI-6M boxes.
Nobody I know has ever had an issue with one. Hopefully this still stands true :cool:

Dave

Good luck with the new boxes

MSD or Crane
 

Alec

Take a look at the MSD HVC 6631 box & MSD 8250 coil, we have many happy customers running Hydros and Mudracers with excellent results. Yes the box is a Nascar unit which is silicone backfilled rather than urethane backfilled like MSD 6M unrepairable.
I hope this helps your effort out.

ep33510