MSD 6AL=2 Wiring Problems - '77 Chief

[Tio Pancho]

Basic info - '77 Chief, 360 with a Prestolite Distributor.
Ok, so I wired up the MSD Box and I am getting no spark. I used the diagram I found here on another thread and the MSD instructions. I used the original connector just so I didn't make a bunch of crimps and need to remove. Once done I will make a permanent connection.
So the power and ground to the battery is a no brainer. The orange went to coil positive and the black to the coil negative. For the switched hot I used the red wire from the original connector (see pic). I did not use the green wire from the original connector as it went to coil negative and I did not have a wire from the MSD box for it.
For the distributor I used the white and blue from the original connector (see pic).

In my mind the problem is on the coil. If the MSD wire took the place of the coil negative wire, should one or both of the existing wires be disconnected?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you

[68glad]

Can tell what the 1st pic is but the white wire is used on a distributor w/ points....which i think the 77 has. If so, I'd jumper the switched red hot to the battery for testing & also to double check power to module. If your sure the unit is powering up it's ok on the coil positive in the connector. Hook the white wire to the green from the connector. The orange and black are correct.

[tgreese]

Looking at the diagram you linked, that WILL NOT WORK with a Prestolite distributor. Only the Motorcraft distributor will work that way. 1978 or newer.

Scrap the Prestolite stuff and use a Motorcraft distributor from a '78 or newer AMC V8 or a Delco points distributor from a '74 or older. The Prestolite distributor is incompatible with everything except its own module.

NOT SUGGESTING THIS, BUT you should be able to connect the Prestolite ignition like the diagram titled "Installing to points/amplifier style ignition." If any config will work, that would be it. In that case, you must keep the Prestolite module and add the MSD module. Not a great option, IMO, because you keep the unreliable Prestolite ignition parts in the mix.

The Delco with the MSD is a pretty good setup - when used to trigger the MSD module, the points last nearly forever since the MSD handles the coil switching. The points become a low voltage / low current signal for the MSD to fire.

[Tio Pancho]

Ended up installing a Summit brand HEI distributor with the MSD box. After a few rounds of problem solving I got it fired! All said it sound pretty damn good. Ran it off a fuel can, because it can't draw fuel from the tank.
Today was a good day.

[68glad]

Nice! Glad you got it going.