Orange box to MSD Conversion

[Terry1213]

For a 69 Roadrunner 440 4-speed. I have 440 Source's 117-1000 distributor hooked up to an Orange Box set up now. It won't fire in start. When you release the key to run it will fire some of the time. When it runs it runs great. I want to change it to a 6AL MSD box. The 117-1000 was meant to be used with a 6AL. My question is what wires and parts need to be reconnected or not used from the orange box conversion? Thanks

 

[69Bee]

If you are buying a new 6AL, it will come with everything you need. If you are buying or have a used 6AL, I have two MSD kits with all of the wiring.

1) FOR SALE - MSD Mag Pickup Harness for Ignition Box to Distributor PN#8860 Plus More

2) FOR SALE - 2nd MSD Mag Pickup Harness for Ignition Box to Distributor PN#8860 Plus More

one kit has 4 limiter chips and the other has three.

 

[RemCharger]

Jump the two ballast terminals together

 

[Don Frelier]

I would check your bulkhead connector first.
Do you have a 4 pin ballast resistor?

 

[Terry1213]

I would check your bulkhead connector first.
Do you have a 4 pin ballast resistor?

No. It's a 2-pin.

 

[dfrazz]

I would suggest getting an MSD RTR distributor, simplify the wiring and skip the 6AL and orange box. I installed an RTR in my Charger last year and it runs great.

 

[Don Frelier]

I bought the car with the orange box already installed. Can you tell me what color wires go to each side of your 2 pin ballast please?? Mine may be reversed.

On a 2 pin resistor it doesn't matter which end the plugs are connected to.

 

[bigbluedodge]

I would go to Summit or similar website, look up an MSD ignition box, and check around on the page for instructions and diagrams. Summit (for example) has a link at the very bottom of the 6AL-2 page for the installations instructions from MSD.

 

[6PKRTSE]

I would just diagnose your issue first and just continue using orange box. No need to switch to an MSD.

 

[Terry1213]

I would just diagnose your issue first and just continue using orange box. No need to switch to an MSD.

I will do that. I have to fix it, or it will be like it won. I am verifying all the wiring first.

 

[1970]

MSD boxes aren't that reliable, skip that!

 

[Terry1213]

MSD boxes aren't that reliable, skip that!

What do you suggest??

 

[1970]

What do you suggest??

You can convert to a HEI system

 

[Terry1213]

You can convert to a HEI system

What do you use??

 

[1970]

Right now i have a msd 6, and it has been giving me weird problems, i cant get my stock tach to work, it jumps all over, have tried 2 different tachs ( look like factory) that say they work with MSD but don't, i had a converter box on my stock tach at first, and it fried it. I have been left on the side of the road when it quit working, i tow the car home and it starts working again, so i am soon going to convert to the HEI not sure how its done, but i have a friend who says he can, we did away with MSD in a ford which he converted to HEI for me, he hid the electronics in the stock voltage regulator box.

 

[Don Frelier]

Right now i have a msd 6, and it has been giving me weird problems, i cant get my stock tach to work, it jumps all over, have tried 2 different tachs ( look like factory) that say they work with MSD but don't, i had a converter box on my stock tach at first, and it fried it. I have been left on the side of the road when it quit working, i tow the car home and it starts working again, so i am soon going to convert to the HEI not sure how its done, but i have a friend who says he can, we did away with MSD in a ford which he converted to HEI for me, he hid the electronics in the stock voltage regulator box.

I've had an MSD street fire in my Charger since 2014. It's been flawless.
If you have a solid state capacitive discharge unit and your car quits, then starts working later the problem is likely somewhere else.
They generally either work or don't work.

 

[71Beeper]

Terry1213 - Here's a video that Jamie at Dead Dodge garage did to fit an HEI system.

 

[Terry1213]

Terry1213 - Here's a video that Jamie at Dead Dodge garage did to fit an HEI system.

I have watched Jamie's videos. He has some great info. I have actually contacted him about my ignition troubles.

 

[Terry1213]

UPDATE!! I installed a new #27 Interstate Battery. 1000 CA. Fires fine now. I think my cheap remanufactured battery couldn't provide enough current to crank the engine and power the ECU simultaneously.

 

[LSS&B]

For a 69 Roadrunner 440 4-speed. I have 440 Source's 117-1000 distributor hooked up to an Orange Box set up now. It won't fire in start. When you release the key to run it will fire some of the time. When it runs it runs great. I want to change it to a 6AL MSD box. The 117-1000 was meant to be used with a 6AL. My question is what wires and parts need to be reconnected or not used from the orange box conversion? Thanks

For the future, I had the exact same problem with a 1973 400V8 car. Replaced the ECU/orange box and the problem went away immediately and permanently.
If the problem happens again, @HALIFAXHOPS has quality orange boxes in stock.