This week we replaced the MSD 6AL with the MSD 7730 + 7720. This car uses a crank trigger which we never touched except replacing the wires with the ones supplied with the new system. There was an issue communicating with the PC. We checked for spark at the coil and it was there. We called it a night and I got the PC install issue corrected.

My father got excited and loaded up the car before I could set the timing so we did it at the track. Keep in mind that the car WAS @32◦ BEFORE we swapped boxes. The car fired up and drove into the trailer. I set all the Grid settings to 32◦ and was expecting to see my current timing mark when testing. We have a Summit self powered light that we used for years.

This is the confusing part: I hook up to #1 and can't see my mark. Every so often I would get a single glimpse of what I thought was my mark but not consistent. I shut off and verify that there is a mark and I see it fine. Repeat with the same issue. This is a 4-7 swap cam so for the fun of it I use #3 (90◦ before #6&1). NOW I see the mark fine. It's @ 30◦ so assuming the new ignition sees things slightly different then before I move the trigger +2◦ and the timing light now says 32◦ as does the box so everything should be synchronized and future timing changes should be software only.

We ran 9.15@146.9 @3450# so I know my wires MUST be correct even though I never thought to verify.

Am I crazy or is this Grid thing?

Try removing the distributor cap and meter the wires (ohms) from the inside cap terminal to the wire connector for the spark plug to verify continuity values of the spark plug wire when attached to the cap. Remove any carbon build up from the cap interior contacts.

The replaced 6al ignition would serve as an excellent spare for the MSD 7720 box if desired. If you scroll approximately halfway down THIS PAGE the author explains how to install the correct Deutsch plugs to the 6al and programming changes to 7730 for a quick replacement if necessary.

whaaat using number three to time ?????

I'm most surprised you made a pass not being able to verify the timing beforehand.

I thought typically timing is set ahead mechanically and then pulled back with the Grid so you have adjustment to where ever you want to set it?

I am confused

I did verify the timing, just off the wrong spark plug wire. We have been racing this car for the last 4-5 weeks issue free. We upgraded the ignition this last week. The crank trigger was not touched with the exception of changing the cable to the pickup. I understand this doesn't add up.

quote:

Originally posted by CURTIS REED:
I'm most surprised you made a pass not being able to verify the timing beforehand.

I thought typically timing is set ahead mechanically and then pulled back with the Grid so you have adjustment to where ever you want to set it?

Did performance change

quote:

Originally posted by Stickshifter_55:
I did verify the timing, just off the wrong spark plug wire. We have been racing this car for the last 4-5 weeks issue free. We upgraded the ignition this last week. The crank trigger was not touched with the exception of changing the cable to the pickup. I understand this doesn't add up.

quote:

Originally posted by CURTIS REED:
I'm most surprised you made a pass not being able to verify the timing beforehand.

I thought typically timing is set ahead mechanically and then pulled back with the Grid so you have adjustment to where ever you want to set it?

Actually that's what I meant by not being verified. LOL I am glad that it worked out for you though.

I would get a piston stop and verify that the balancer has not moved because you can time engine off any cylinder but have to have correct mark on balancer for that cylinder I’d be checking it out before you run it again and I’d probably check plugs to see what their saying about timing

No noticeable improvement. Gained 1 MPH that was likely a tail wind.

If I have #1 & #3 wires crossed and STILL went 9.150 this I'm going to really go fast.

quote:

Originally posted by Top355x:
Did performance change

OK Here's the deal. I'm at the track and messing with the timing light. The reason #3 is working it's because the timing light seems to be picking up from the back of the pickup. I hooked it to #6, NO. Then I hooked it to #2, no. I hook to #1, no. I hook to #3 and Yes. I'm hooking high on the wire and the pickup is between #1 & #3. When I hook it to #2 the wire is isolated and hence, no action. The light flashed every time regardless the wire but apparently it is seeing more then one spark if the pickup is close to more than one wire. I simply hold the back side of the pickup to any wire and the light flashes. I verify the timing off #1 & #6 from the back and all is right in the world.

light pickup should be placed at plug

Try replacing the batteries in the timing light or at least verifying they are 1.5v minimum.

quote:

Originally posted by Stickshifter_55:
OK Here's the deal. I'm at the track and messing with the timing light. The reason #3 is working it's because the timing light seems to be picking up from the back of the pickup. I hooked it to #6, NO. Then I hooked it to #2, no. I hook to #1, no. I hook to #3 and Yes. I'm hooking high on the wire and the pickup is between #1 & #3. When I hook it to #2 the wire is isolated and hence, no action. The light flashed every time regardless the wire but apparently it is seeing more then one spark if the pickup is close to more than one wire. I simply hold the back side of the pickup to any wire and the light flashes. I verify the timing off #1 & #6 from the back and all is right in the world.

Well that makes a little more sense that you actually were getting a signal from the #1 wire to the back of the clamp.