Questioni have a 1985 chevy k-10 pickup with a 305,edelbrock performer 600cfm carb, hooker long tube headers, and a mandrel bent header back exhaust system. recently a friend suggested that i should install an msd series 6 ignition module on my truck for improved power and fuel economy. how would i go about installing this on an hei system? what would the benefits be to installing that system as opposed to my current setup (accel super coil, accel cap/rotor, superstock spiral core plug wires, and accel u-groove header plugs) would i be better off to just buy the accel H.E.I. module to complete my system? also is 0.060 gap too much for my plus with my current system? it runs fine but i have been told that is too large of a gap for the stock module...
AnswerHi Shane,
I see no advantage.
I mean no disrespect when I say you should stop getting advice from friends.
The Accel SC is pumping out gobbs more power than that MSD system can even dream of producing.
60-thousandths gap on plugs having nearly 90,000 volts going through them is a tight gap! Pull your plugs (after a nice ten-to-fifteen minute cruise at highway speeds) and look at them. If the gap is too large, you'll see evidence of arcing on the insulator. (carbon deposits around the outside, thread-end and on the ground electrode) If the gap is too close, the insulator will be a bright white and possibly have hair-line cracks. Too close of a gap will cause detonation whereas too large of a gap will cause hesitation. You are better to err on the side of too much than not enough. Oh yeah, the Ignition module in your vehicle hasn't been told about the increased gap. Chances are that it does not care. The coil is producing the voltage. All the module is doing is telling the coil when to charge and when to release. Gap of the plug has NO effect on the module at all. Excessive gap WILL reduce the life of a coil, but those SC's are guaranteed for life are they not?
Indexing your plugs will make your ignition system work more efficiently and that will result in better efficiency and power with no additional cost. It is one of the few adjustments that can be made to benefit both power and efficiency.
With the recent fuel crunch, I've said this almost daily: power and fuel mileage are opposite-ends of the spectrum. You can NOT have both! If you increase your engines power you WILL decrease it's efficiency and likewise, the ONLY way to increase fuel mileage is to use less power. Period! Adjustments can sometimes accomplish the increase of both, but rarely, if ever, will bolt-on parts do the same thing.
Looking for a reputable service technician? My advice on finding a good technician is: Steer clear of the dealership and 'chain' stores like Firestone, Sears, Pep Boys, Monro Muffler/Brake, Midas, etc. as they usually only employ ONE ASE Certified Tech just so they can say they do and chances are, that guy is the asst. manager or manager and is not in the store to diagnose/repair vehicles anyway. Find a service location in the link below or get some names out of the yellow-pages and do a drive-by. Garages that employ ASE Certified Technicians will be marked with the 'Blue-Seal' insignia. If unsure about whether a place employs Certified Techs, just ask to see their credentials. ALL ASE Certified Technicians will be PROUD to show and display their certificate(s).
Thanks for the question, I hope this information was helpful to you.
Fred
Knucklebusters Used Auto & Truck Parts, Inc.
www.knucklebusters.us
570-453-0910
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