I've got my new MSD, now what?

[Chuck]

Hi, I have done the TFI upgrade and am very happy with it, Thanks for all the help from the posts with that. Now I am ready for the next step, the MSD upgrade. I have a few questions.
1. What is the wiring plan? Do I follow the ford example in the instructions?
2. I would like to keep the exsiting module in place as a backup, and cut as few wires as possible.
3. Where is a good location for the new MSD passenger or driver side?
4. where is a good hookup for the positive?
I am sure I forgot something, so any other hints would be appreciated.
Thanks again for all of the help from the posts, It's a great sight.
Chuck

[Retro93]

1. Buy the MSD adapter for the wiring harness. It will plug directly into your dizzy.

2. You can leave the stock wiring harness in place. Just unplug and tape the power feed to the Motorcraft module. Good idea to keep the original system in place for use when the MSD goes south on you. :rolleyes: They aren't known for their realiability. Be sure and fill out the warranty card.

3. Best location is on the top of the drivers side inner fender panel. It's up high and gets a great deal of air flow.

4. Hook both power leads directly to the battery.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Kim

[ August 20, 2003, 04:48 PM: Message edited by: Retro93 ]

[KYJ10]

There should be an 800 number in the directions or associated material. If you call and ask for MSD tech, tell them what your setup is, they will tell you exactly how to hook it up. Sometimes that stuff can get confusing! Ive had mine hooked up to a 4cyl, then the 6, now the 8, and now the fuel injection kit changed the wiring once more. I lost my directions, so just called. Dennis

[89grand]

Well here's what I did. I mounted the unit on the passenger side fender near the battery, I have all of those washer tanks on the drivers side.

Now here is the wiring: I did the TFI a few months before adding the MSD but I had a MSD TFI coil connector which I had connected to the coil and then to the original wires so I wouldn't have to cut the original coil wires.

Anyway,
1.Disconnect the coil wires from the coil, or if like me disconnect the coil wires from the MSD TFI harness.
2. Connect one of the original coil wires(I can't remember which one right now but the instructions tell you)to the input(red wire)of the MSD unit. Only one of the original coil wires is connected to the MSD unit, the other is left unconnected.
3. If you don't have one already get a MSD TFI coil harness and connect that to the appropriate wires on the MSD unit and then connect the other end to the TFI coil.
4. Get a MSD Motorcraft distributor harness(about $15.00). Disconnect the distributor harness from the Duraspark at the distributor. Connect the new MSD distributor harness to the distributor and then to the MSD unit. Leave the Duraspark harness where it's at unplugged.
5. Connect the positive and negative wires from the MSD directly to the battery.
6. The MSD unit comes with a diode, use it inline with the small wire on the alternator as outlined in the instructions, if you don't use this the motor will keep running even with the ignition switch turned off. It happened to me.

To switch back to the Duracrap just plug the distributor harness back in and connect both coil wires back into the coil and you'll be running off of the Duracrap again.

[ August 20, 2003, 11:32 AM: Message edited by: 89grand ]