Anyone use an MSD 'ready to run'
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Category: The Garage
Forum Name: AMC V8 Engine Repair and Modifications
Forum Description: AMC-made V8 engine mechanical, ignition and fuel from basic repair to high-perf modifications
URL: https://theamcforum.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=38150
Printed Date: Apr/19/2024 at 2:07am
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Topic: Anyone use an MSD 'ready to run'
Posted By: 343sharpstick
Subject: Anyone use an MSD 'ready to run'
Date Posted: Mar/26/2012 at 8:57am
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I am about to plunk down a few hundred dollars on one of these, just curious if anyone is using one with a stock tachometer in a '69 Javelin?
I assume as it's a simple 4-wire install all should be OK, but I would sure feel better if someone said, "I have one, easy install and all is good with the stock tach".
So can anyone verify that this is tha case??
Thanks
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Replies:
Posted By: whitelumpy401
Date Posted: Mar/26/2012 at 12:38pm
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Have put some in cust engines work just fine i run the pro billet with a crank trigger and a digital 7 box msd makes a good product come swith complete instruction for changing springs for the mech advance ------------- whitelumpy401 |
Posted By: SKeown
Date Posted: Mar/26/2012 at 2:57pm
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I run the MSD distributor and their 6AL-2 box. I use the biggest bushings & weakest springs without a vacuum advance, that gets all 35* in by 2500 RPM. The 6AL-2 box allows two rev limiters to be set independently, I use one for launching and the other for over rev protection. To use you're factory tach you'll need the MSD #8920 tach adapt. With those components You'll be fine, just make sure you follow their instructions to a T, and if you're car sits idle for long periods be sure to get the battery fully charged before attempting to fire it up.
SKeown
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Posted By: DesertAMX
Date Posted: Mar/26/2012 at 11:34pm
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I have been using a MSD Ready to Run on my 69 390 with the stock tach for a couple of years now. The Ready to Run likes to see full 12 volts. I use the resistor wire from the Ign. switch that normally goes to the coil to control a 12V relay. The relay provides battery power in series though the Tach to the (+) side coil and MSD distributor. This is not much different as the orginal configuration, just with the relay. I used a standard Bosch style 30A relay. You will like the adjustability of the MSD tach for setting up your advance. ------------- 69 BBG AMX 69 BBO Javelin Project Cactus Cruisers AMC |
Posted By: DesertAMX
Date Posted: Mar/26/2012 at 11:40pm
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Following up with Skeown, out of the box, the Ready to Run does not need a 6AL box, but it can be added. If you do use the box you will need the tach adapter. As shipped the advance is very slow and you will have to use the lighter springs to make the car fun to drive. ------------- 69 BBG AMX 69 BBO Javelin Project Cactus Cruisers AMC |
Posted By: 70 Javelin
Date Posted: Mar/27/2012 at 9:11am
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Thanks for posting this question ! This is exactly what I need...... The MSD rtr has been installed, the factory tach has not been hooked up, the distributor connection is direct to the battery with switch and the car is sluggish above 2,000 rpm. Thanks, I needed that ! ------------- 1970 Javelin SST 390 |
Posted By: 70 Javelin
Date Posted: Mar/27/2012 at 9:50am
DesertAMX: Could you post a picture of your installation?  Thanks- ------------- 1970 Javelin SST 390 |
Posted By: 343sharpstick
Date Posted: Mar/27/2012 at 1:52pm
This is great information!
Looking at the TSM wiring Diagram, so to verify: You have connected the yellow wire that runs from the (-) on the tach to the 12V relay, then from the relay to the (+) side of the coil. In addition to that, the MSD Red wire is also connected to the (+) side of the coil. Correct?
Also, is this the type of relay your using?
http://www.034motorsport.com/wiring-solutions-relays-fuses-breakers-30a-relay-bosch-with-mounting-tab-p-275.html" rel="nofollow - http://www.034motorsport.com/wiring-solutions-relays-fuses-breakers-30a-relay-bosch-with-mounting-tab-p-275.html
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DesertAMX wrote:Posted By: DesertAMX
Date Posted: Mar/27/2012 at 11:42pm
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Yes, that is the type of relay. I use the stock Tach harness. The blue wire of the harness connects to the switched output of the relay and the yellow goes the (+) side of the coil. The relay is mounted under the voltage regulator and is fed from the battery side of the solonoid through a 20A fuse.
Here are a couple of pictures.   ------------- 69 BBG AMX 69 BBO Javelin Project Cactus Cruisers AMC |
Posted By: DesertAMX
Date Posted: Mar/28/2012 at 12:02am
Here is a quick sketch of my wiring.
 ------------- 69 BBG AMX 69 BBO Javelin Project Cactus Cruisers AMC |
Posted By: 70 Javelin
Date Posted: Mar/28/2012 at 7:36am
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DesertAMX: Your AMX engine compartment looks awesome. Thanks for the pics and wiring diagram ! Thanks- ------------- 1970 Javelin SST 390 |
Posted By: DesertAMX
Date Posted: Mar/28/2012 at 11:23pm
------------- 69 BBG AMX 69 BBO Javelin Project Cactus Cruisers AMC |
Posted By: 343sharpstick
Date Posted: Apr/05/2012 at 1:03pm
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Thanks all for the great information. I just ordered my MSD RTR distributor! Looking forward to how the car works with this 'new' technology. I have points now
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Posted By: 70 Javelin
Date Posted: Apr/21/2012 at 10:44am
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DesertAMX, MSD rtr installed with 12 v relay power, with "corrected" mechanical advance and is running awesome! Question about the tach wiring. (Currently, the factory tach is not hooked up to the Blaster coil and the tach bounces while cranking and is flat with the engine running.) So, should I install a tach. adapter (relay) into the "yellow" factory wiring from the Blaster coil to the factory tachometer? Thanks- ------------- 1970 Javelin SST 390 |
Posted By: jeremy0711
Date Posted: Apr/21/2012 at 12:30pm
| Your tach should be inline to the ignition before it goes to the coil so you wouldn't have to wire it up any differently. If you were to buy a digital box like a 6al or something similiar then you would need a "current sensing" tach adapter. You are just running a distributor and an aftermarket coil and will not need anything else in line for the tach. Just don't wire up your tach backwards as it will burn up the tach and if you thought that distributor was expensive.... |
Posted By: 70 Javelin
Date Posted: Apr/26/2012 at 12:00pm
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Jeremy0711, The shop wired up the tach inline to the ignition (as per original wiring diagram) and the tach only blips less than 200 rpm........... someone may of wired it backwards, I don't know- I took your comment about tach expense to heart and regrettably ordered an aftermarket for the steering column.  ------------- 1970 Javelin SST 390 |
Posted By: DesertAMX
Date Posted: Apr/27/2012 at 12:18am
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Hi 70 Javelin, I agree with jeremy0711. The tach does need to be inline (series) with the 12v line before the coil, with the proper polarity per the TSM. You do not need the tach adapter. Funny you mention the bouncing, I am trouble shooting a used tach that I bought for another car and it bounces at low RPMS. Have not torn into it yet, but I am pretty comfortable with component level circuit repairs. I will let you know what I find. ------------- 69 BBG AMX 69 BBO Javelin Project Cactus Cruisers AMC |
Posted By: 70 Javelin
Date Posted: Apr/27/2012 at 6:48am
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DesertAMX- Thanks- ------------- 1970 Javelin SST 390 |
Posted By: 343sharpstick
Date Posted: May/22/2012 at 9:37pm
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I have my MSD ‘Ready to Run’ in the car and I have been driving it for a few weeks now. I too am running the silver (25deg) bushing and the two blue springs. I have it wired without the 30A relay. The car starts and runs great. The tach seems correct up to about 4,000 RPM then gets a little, um, independent?? I’m going to pick up a relay and see if that corrects the higher RPM tach behavior. Thanks DesertAMX for your help and information! |
Posted By: bob401
Date Posted: May/23/2012 at 1:09am
| I have the ready to run with asummit tach and no issues.. I wish I would have bought it sooner.. I have used prestolites and thsoe were surprisingly okay.. But when I switched to the Motorcrafts and trying TFI .. they would run what i thought was good. then after Ignition module # 10 (over a few years) I switched to the Ready To Run and haven't looked back... God Bless that thing |
Posted By: 71AMX4014SPD
Date Posted: May/23/2012 at 8:12am
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All of you that are using the "ready to run", any preference on spark plug type? I will be using that distributor, comp ratio 9:1. -------------  1968 Javelin 360 727 B/W/R 1970 AMX 390 4spd Bayshore Blue 1971 Jav/AMX 401 4spd B6 |
Posted By: irish13jeff
Date Posted: Jun/04/2012 at 7:09pm
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I'm converting my HEI over to run the MSD 6a. I would like to hear what changes in plug gap you guy's have made if any. Mine is currently set at .035 with just the HEI. ------------- Please don't tell my parents I'm a truck driver..... They think I'm a piano player in a whore house... http://www.legionofjeepers.com |
Posted By: jcw1970
Date Posted: Jan/10/2019 at 3:56pm
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What do you do with the yellow wire coming from the regulator? ------------- 70 Javelin SST |
Posted By: Someassemblyrqd
Date Posted: Jan/11/2019 at 4:16pm
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JCW - See previous Forum post. Trust it helps. Greg http://theamcforum.com/forum/msd-8523-dist-with-factory-tach_topic96669_post851227.html?KW=msd#851227" rel="nofollow - http://theamcforum.com/forum/msd-8523-dist-with-factory-tach_topic96669_post851227.html?KW=msd#851227 ------------- Greg E. |