Anyone tried n MSD Ignition Control Module (model 6201)?

[mark1965tbird]

Hi everyone,
Has anyone installed one of these? https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/ms ... 6201&pos=0
A buddy of mine swears by them. He put one in his 70 Charger and 72 Olds 442 and says it starts better, idles better, better MPG, etc.
I thought I'd see if anyone has put on jin their TBird.
Thanks, Mark

[Alan H. Tast]

Personally, I prefer not to overcomplicate things and just go with a Pertronix Ignitor module in the stock distributor. Simple, hidden/stealthy to retain OEM appearance (just one additional wire out of the distributor to the coil (?)), and if it fails I can put points/condenser back into the distributor. I don't see any big benefit to a MSD or similar system other than the 'wow, look at me' factor when you open the hood. JMHO...

[mark1965tbird]

Thanks Alan. I have Pertronix installed, but apparently the MSD Controller increases the number of sparks by a lot. I guess I have no way of knowing if there's a benefit unless I try one out.

[64ZCODE]

What Alan said. BTW the Pertronix 3 module delivers multiple sparks per cylinder power stroke, essentially just as the MSD box does. I have the Pertronix 3 on my '64 TBird and it, along with a hotter coil, MSD 8mm wires, and increasing spark plug gaps really improved power and smooth running. I do have an MSD box on my '69 Galaxie, along with Pertronix 1 and hotter coil and MSD wires, and that combination works really well too. With the Galaxie, after installing all that stuff, the engine idled maybe 300 rpm faster than stock spec, proof of hotter spark, better combustion getting to the cylinders.

[mark1965tbird]

Thanks 64ZCODE. I'm going to go with what you suggested. Summit Racing thinks the 8mm wires won't work, but I think they will. Do these look like the parts you used?
PerTronix 44011 - PerTronix Flame-Thrower III Ignition Coils
Ignition Coil, Flame-Thrower III, Canister, Round, Oil Filled, Black, 45,000 V, Ultra Low 0.32 ohms, Each

$40.99

PerTronix 71281D - PerTronix Ignitor III® Solid-State Ignition Systems
Click here for more information about PerTronix 71281D - PerTronix Ignitor III® Solid-State Ignition Systems
Distributor Conversion, Ignitor III®, 12 V, Kit

PNX-71281D

$146.99

PerTronix 808204 - PerTronix Flame-Thrower Spark Plug Wire Sets

Click here for more information about PerTronix 808204 - PerTronix Flame-Thrower Spark Plug Wire Sets
"magx2 8mm Custom Wire Set; Black Silicone; Plug Angle 90 Degrees, Distributor Angle 90 Degrees"; Qt;

PNX-808204


$56.99

[64ZCODE]

Hey there Mark, sorry for the long delay. The Pertonix III module I used is PN 71281. The MSD wire set is 31233 which I think was a universal set. When you install the 8mm plug wires on the stock disty cap it gets a little crowded to you need to route the wires accordingly, and you'll need 8mm loom wire holders to keep the wires organized which if memory serves I got from JGES. Your spec on the coil sounds fine.

Also, you should buy the power relay provided by Pertronix. This relay is powered by the ignition switch circuit and routes full 12v power to the coil. If you don't use that relay, you're dealing with half a loaf because the ignition circuit is designed to provide reduced power to the coil after startup.

Doug

[Terry64HT]

Many suppliers recommend that oil filled coils be mounted vertically. Yea, I know, the original coils were oil filled and mounted horizontally, but nobody ever said Ford was smart. If you're not really particular about the looks, give it some thought.
Terry
64HT

[Alan H. Tast]

Many suppliers recommend that oil filled coils be mounted vertically. Yea, I know, the original coils were oil filled and mounted horizontally, but nobody ever said Ford was smart. If you're not really particular about the looks, give it some thought.
Terry
64HT

Take a look at my posts about using the Pertronix Flamethrower coils horizontally on my '63 - I shorted two of them out making that mistake and went back to an OEM mustard-top coil, works just fine for me.

https://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/ ... oil#p35431
https://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/ ... coil#p6606

[mark1965tbird]

Thanks everyone. Doug- do you think the 8mm wires are necessary? A guy at Pertronix thought 7mm were fine (I don't know).

[64ZCODE]

Hi Mark. To me, the MSD 8mm wires are the standard for low resistance with heat protection and RFI suppression. We're probably talking very small performance differences between cars with the 7mm versus the 8mm wires. But hey, the 8mm wires look cool.

Doug

[mark1965tbird]

Thanks Doug. I agree about looking cool!