MSD on a Norton

comnoz · Jul 23, 2012

I did some testing with an msd6a on a Norton some years back.
I used one and then two blaster coils and drivers with wasted spark and then single spark configurations.

With a wasted spark the MSD provided 10 sparks at 600 rpm going down to 3 sparks at 7500.
With a single spark and two msd units and coils it gave 10 sparks at 1200 rpm and went down to 6 sparks at 7500 rpm.

Each discharge is rated at 600mj of energy. Time between discharges was 1ms. This is a LOT of spark energy. With carbon core plug wires they would overheat and the wires would smoke. You could break the outside electrode off the spark plug and the engine would run the same.

The power was not improved enough to measure over a set of points and OEM coils as long as they were perfectly adjusted and the plugs were fresh.

Starting was easier with the MSD and the engine was no longer touchy as far as fuel mixture settings -although they still needed to be right to keep the plugs clean.

Each MSD unit had a draw of approximately 10 amps average. Jim

R Model Tony · Jul 23, 2012

Hi Jim. You're the the only person I "know" who has used MSD on a Norton. Was your timing remotely adjustible? Was there a timing sweet spot for cruising and/or acceleration? Was the engine carburetted or EFI? What I'm reading from this is, a well adjusted set of points with a fresh set of plugs are the cats whiskers...

Hope to see you next year in Wyoming.....

Tony from White Rock.

R Model Tony · Jul 23, 2012

Oh, I almost forgot. What's your alternator output. I don't think mine makes 10 amps :shock:

comnoz · Jul 23, 2012

When I was doing those tests it was on a mostly stock Norton racebike. I was using a car battery as power and triggering the MSD with the original points. It was a 10.5 compression ratio motor with a combat cam and head.

The stock alternator would probably put out enough to run the MSD but i doubt there would be enough left for lights. I eventually ended up with an electronic magneto on the racebike that worked great and made the same power with zero maintenance.

I have also used an MSD on my fuel injected bike. It has a 38 amp alternator so I have power to spare. I used it for about a year but eventually removed it as I didn't see any real advantage over the HEI based igniton I use now. The MSD was big and heavy.

I am still using both MSD units, one on my 67 Mercedes and one on my 76 Ford pickup. They are great ignition units and they will let you run a car engine a little leaner for better fuel mileage with no loss in drivability.

The MSD ignition does cover up fuel mixtures that are a little off or plugs that are beyond their prime. Jim

iceteanolemon · Jul 23, 2012

comnoz said:
When I was doing those tests it was on a mostly stock Norton racebike. I was using a car battery as power and triggering the MSD with the original points. It was a 10.5 compression ratio motor with a combat cam and head.

The stock alternator would probably put out enough to run the MSD but i doubt there would be enough left for lights. I eventually ended up with an electronic magneto on the racebike that worked great and made the same power with zero maintenance.

I have also used an MSD on my fuel injected bike. It has a 38 amp alternator so I have power to spare. I used it for about a year but eventually removed it as I didn't see any real advantage over the HEI based igniton I use now. The MSD was big and heavy.

I am still using both MSD units, one on my 67 Mercedes and one on my 76 Ford pickup. They are great ignition units and they will let you run a car engine a little leaner for better fuel mileage with no loss in drivability.

The MSD ignition does cover up fuel mixtures that are a little off or plugs that are beyond their prime. Jim

I have a MSD ignition on the 84 GMC longbed. Great ignition and it has been on there over 10 years now.

swooshdave · Jul 23, 2012

I'm looking forward to your dyno test of a Power Arc. :mrgreen:

comnoz · Jul 23, 2012

swooshdave said:
I'm looking forward to your dyno test of a Power Arc. :mrgreen:

Put one on your bike and come on down. Free dyno run. Jim

swooshdave · Jul 23, 2012

comnoz said:
swooshdave said:

I'm looking forward to your dyno test of a Power Arc. :mrgreen:

Click to expand...

Put one on your bike and come on down. Free dyno run. Jim

You tease. You know my back would lock up solid before I got to Idaho. :mrgreen:

rvich · Jul 24, 2012

swooshdave said:
comnoz said:

swooshdave said:

I'm looking forward to your dyno test of a Power Arc. :mrgreen:

Click to expand...

Put one on your bike and come on down. Free dyno run. Jim

Click to expand...

You tease. You know my back would lock up solid before I got to Idaho. :mrgreen:

Put the bike on a trailer and enjoy the drive! Was it interest in the Power Arc that sparked this thread? I am curious about the Power Arc, I have heard some good and some bad reports. It's always a bit hard to know what to believe.

Russ

MSD on a Norton

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