69 chrysler 300 need new ignition box should i get an MSD?

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vada

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i was recently told by my mechanic that the reason for my vehicle stuttering at red lights and hard starts is the original ignition box i still have installed. he also pointed out where the ignition box appears to be melting down the inside of the engine bay! he suggested i get a 6A MSD digital ignition but i wanna get the C-body guys opinion????
 
vada said:
i was recently told by my mechanic that the reason for my vehicle stuttering at red lights and hard starts is the original ignition box i still have installed. he also pointed out where the ignition box appears to be melting down the inside of the engine bay! he suggested i get a 6A MSD digital ignition but i wanna get the C-body guys opinion????
Click to expand...
MSD is probably overkill on a stock engine. Gunk running off the back of the unit is from the plastic resin breaking down over time, that stuff is used to seal the unit from outside contamination. AS long as the electronics are not exposed, that does not hurt anything. A bad ground to the unit will cause the symptoms that you describe. If you have a good ground, then I would replace the box with a factory style unit. Avoid any reproductions made in China, they a generral all crap.

Dave
 
IMHO. An MSD ignition box is not going to solve the problem

The "original" ignition box was added as your car came with points when new. The melting is the potting material in the ECU box degrading from heat and age. This is basically a plastic resin type stuff that poured in there when it was built to help keep the internal components in place and not break from vibration. They tend to melt, but generally speaking that isn't a failure.

It's not a bad idea to replace it though, as it's making a mess. Keep it as a spare though.

Your hard starting/stalling problem could be a lot of things, but an add on expensive ignition box isn't going to do much besides drain your wallet and fatten the wallet of your so-called "mechanic".

My suggestion is to figure out why it's stalling. It's more likely a carb or some ignition issue. Bad ground to the ECU is common and easy to try. Also, find a new mechanic.
 
Davea Lux said:
MSD is probably overkill on a stock engine. Gunk running off the back of the unit is from the plastic resin breaking down over time, that stuff is used to seal the unit from outside contamination. AS long as the electronics are not exposed, that does not hurt anything. A bad ground to the unit will cause the symptoms that you describe. If you have a good ground, then I would replace the box with a factory style unit. Avoid any reproductions made in China, they a generral all crap.

Dave
Click to expand...

Dave, have to disagree on the China comment. I sold Regitar brand ignition modules for 20 years and they worked great and lasted 20 years on my car and they were made in China.
 
vada said:
i was recently told by my mechanic that the reason for my vehicle stuttering at red lights and hard starts is the original ignition box i still have installed. he also pointed out where the ignition box appears to be melting down the inside of the engine bay! he suggested i get a 6A MSD digital ignition but i wanna get the C-body guys opinion????
Click to expand...
MSD is a waste. I can guarantee you will have problems. Get a New old stock box from @halifaxhops. He can fix you up.

20250409_082325 (1).jpg
 
Back when MSD was the real MSD, about 8 owners ago, it was known to be good stuff. They even had some "-C" products which plugged right in to the OEM Chrysler wiring harness, too.

To me, the referenced MSD 6AL unit is more of a drag racing item than something for a stock engined vehicle. BTAIM

I'm NOT going to get into the "China" discussion. I know there are good products that come from there and bad products that come from there. Just DEPENDS on what the person/entity signing the production contract wants to PAY FOR in THEIR products.

I concur that @halifaxhops has good products and he could be a good source for OEM-spec ignition parts for Chrysler products. No need for "drag race-type" parts, generally, unless it IS a serious drag racer car.

Seems like there was a thread in here, within the past year, that detailed how to look for good ECUs and sub-standard ECUs?

The potting compound "melting" is more of a cosmetic issue than not. DO make sure the ECU is grounded, even if it means an extra wire to ensure such.

Just some thoughts,
CBODY67
 
Last edited:
FURYGT said:
Dave, have to disagree on the China comment. I sold Regitar brand ignition modules for 20 years and they worked great and lasted 20 years on my car and they were made in China.
Click to expand...
My specific reference would be the repop units sold by autobone and carcrap.

Dave
 
CBODY67 said:
Back when MSD was the real MSD, about 8 owners ago, it was known to be good stuff. They even had some "-C" products which plugged right in to the OEM Chrysler wiring harness, too.

To me, the referenced MSD 6AL unit is more or a drag racing item than something for a stock engined vehicle. BTAIM

I'm NOT going to get into the "China" discussion. I know there are good products that come from there and bad products that come from there. Just DEPENDS on what the person/entity signing the production contract wants to PAY FOR in THEIR products.

I concur that @halifaxhops has good products and he could be a good source for OEM-spec ignition parts for Chrysler products. No need for "drag race-type" parts, generally, unless it IS a serious drag racer car.

Seems like there was a thread in here, within the past year, that detailed how to look for good ECUs and sub-standard ECUs?

The potting compound "melting" is more of a cosmetic issue than not. DO make sure the ECU is grounded, even if it means an extra wire to ensure such.

Just some thoughts,
CBODY67
Click to expand...
MSD 6al when working thats a big when is way overkill for the street. If you absolutely want to go that route look into a Petronix 510 kit the same as MSD, Reliable and half the price.
1751104574213.png


www.forabodiesonly.com

Electrical & Ignition

www.forabodiesonly.com www.forabodiesonly.com

More info then you want to know in this one.
www.forabodiesonly.com

1974 Brain Box saves the day.

Was heading out to a local car gathering a couple weeks ago, and a no start on my '76 Truck. Turns out the 1 year old replacement brain box failed. I had a well used 1974 5 pin brain box from my '74 Dart that I had replaced because all the goo on the back had melted out from the hot sun in...
www.forabodiesonly.com www.forabodiesonly.com
 
Last edited:
Big_John said:
IMHO. An MSD ignition box is not going to solve the problem

The "original" ignition box was added as your car came with points when new. The melting is the potting material in the ECU box degrading from heat and age. This is basically a plastic resin type stuff that poured in there when it was built to help keep the internal components in place and not break from vibration. They tend to melt, but generally speaking that isn't a failure.

It's not a bad idea to replace it though, as it's making a mess. Keep it as a spare though.

Your hard starting/stalling problem could be a lot of things, but an add on expensive ignition box isn't going to do much besides drain your wallet and fatten the wallet of your so-called "mechanic".

My suggestion is to figure out why it's stalling. It's more likely a carb or some ignition issue. Bad ground to the ECU is common and easy to try. Also, find a new mechanic.
Click to expand...
lol you might be right about a new mechanic
 
halifaxhops said:
MSD 6al when working thats a big when is way overkill for the street. If you absolutely want to go that route look into a Petronix 510 kit the same as MSD, Reliable and half the price.
View attachment 725071

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More info then you want to know in this one.
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Click to expand...
Yea I’m not trying to go super fast lol…this car is just a cruiser on sunny day with the top down and some oldies playing lol
 
CBODY67 said:
Back when MSD was the real MSD, about 8 owners ago, it was known to be good stuff. They even had some "-C" products which plugged right in to the OEM Chrysler wiring harness, too.

To me, the referenced MSD 6AL unit is more of a drag racing item than something for a stock engined vehicle. BTAIM

I'm NOT going to get into the "China" discussion. I know there are good products that come from there and bad products that come from there. Just DEPENDS on what the person/entity signing the production contract wants to PAY FOR in THEIR products.

I concur that @halifaxhops has good products and he could be a good source for OEM-spec ignition parts for Chrysler products. No need for "drag race-type" parts, generally, unless it IS a serious drag racer car.

Seems like there was a thread in here, within the past year, that detailed how to look for good ECUs and sub-standard ECUs?

The potting compound "melting" is more of a cosmetic issue than not. DO make sure the ECU is grounded, even if it means an extra wire to ensure such.

Just some thoughts,
CBODY67
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info!
 
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