Custom/Hybrid Setup "bench" test for MSD dual ch digital Total loss?

[Christian_83]

Hi Guys.
After some guys wrote about failing MSD units i though about setting my brand new system up in a bench test mode before installing it.

Has anyone done this, if yes can they give som pointers
Is it possible to set it up and connect the spark plug threads to ground (negative on battery) to see the plug discharge?

Thanks Christian

 

[Matt_E]

Yes, absolutely.

 

[Waternut]

I typically just install my entire system and lay the spark plugs on the head of the engine to watch them fire before trying to start the engine for the first time. I pucker up everytime I replace/reinstall engine, carbs, electrics, and pipe. Lots of little connections to miss and backfires in a garage are really painful after you've cranked and cranked with no spark.

 

[egbrig]

I have seen two such test platforms and played with them. The reason for this was that all msd brain systems do not fire at exactly the same time (at least with the older analog system) so with racers who's engines are on the edge (sustained rpm) it was critical to know if the new brain actually put the timing where the previous brain did. Get an electric motor with a rotory speed control and tach. You'll have to have a crank snout or a machined version mounted connecting the electric motor to crank snout via a belt drive system. Mount a pickup and flywheel as normal. All your really doing is getting an electric motor instead of an actual engine to turn the flywheel. Its a little work but very simple. Its one of those things that you will use very little but when you do its well worth it, kind of like my flow bench.

 

[Christian_83]

Okai, im just thinking about wiring it up, and se if the channels work - and pickup/coils for that matter.
So it should be no problem to hook it up, and let the sparksplugs be wired to negative and let the plugs discharge or what?
I might come with some stupid questions here, as i have never done this before ?
wouldnt that be the same as, hooking it up on the ski and put the plugs on the head? Or is there some resistance in engine to the negative pol on battery that one gotta calculate with?

 

[bigo]

yep just hook it up as per the inst and ground to neg on the batt here's one i prepared earlier lol

yep just hook it up as per the inst and ground to neg on the batt

 

[Christian_83]

Thats perfect Bigo, exactly the way i thought about it. How do you trigger it? Shorting the cables to the pickup or moving a magnet over the pickup?

 

[Waternut]

You can pass a magnet/flywheel over the pickups or if your pickup wires are disconnected, you can just touch the two together.

 

[ChrisFiore15]

holy spark. !

 

[bigo]

what waternut said, i was just shorting the pickup wires in the vid and moving the single coil between the channels to test them.

 

[lerott]

Install instructions say :
Remove the spark plugs from the engine, plug them into the spark plug wires and lay the plugs on the cylinder head
Find TDC of the #1 cylinder (the front cylinder)
rotate the flywheel couterclockwise about 1/4 turn
turn the ignition on/off switch to the on position and slowly rotate the flywheel clockwise until the front spark plug that fires (this is #1)
continue rotating the crankshaft until the next spark plug fires (this is #2)

 

[Christian_83]

Lerott, I got the instructions. But was asking if anyone had set it up in a bench mode, before installing any components in the ski.

 

[Shifty]

The arc in my avatar is the high tension lead jumping to the battery ground terminal. I did this before I installed the spark plug terminals. Your plan should work fine.

 

[GIL]

Are you guys checking the timing on both cylinders? If not, you might want to start. I have setup approx 12 of these now and so far the rear cylinder is always 2* static less than the frt. The fix is easy-slot the holes in the base of the trigger so you can move the trigger on the plate enough to compensate for the 2*.

This goes for the MSD trigger plates as well as the RAD timing cover setups.

PS-you can break the ground tip off of a plug and make the fire jump 3 feet with MSD T/L. Its really awesome when you have a buddy with you and his dumb azz has a screw driver in his hand. LOL The fire WILL fing the NEAREST ground point! Ask me how I know..........

 

[Shonuff]

My MSD total loss is a Gil Motorsports installation. It is bulletproof.

Best $200 I ever spent.

 

[GIL]

BTW-I am seriously considering getting in the MSD setup business. You send me all the parts and I will wire it up, make it bullet proof, and walk you through install on your motor and setting static timing. I believe JSS charges 500.00 for this service-I will do it for 350.00 and I supply the bullet connectors, adhesive lined heat shrink, marine grade tinned wire, ring connectors, and 1211.

I have now done 12 of these and to my knowledge they are all still going strong with 0 issues. (Disclaimer-only 2 of the systems I have done are primarily salt use).