MSD 6440 40th Anniversary 6AL Ignition Control Installation - Manual

M S D I G N I T I O N
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MSD 40th Anniversary
6AL Ignition Control
PN 6440
WARNING: During installation, disconnect the battery cables. When disconnecting the battery
always remove the Negative cable first and install it last.
Note: Solid Core spark plug wires cannot be used with an MSD Ignition.
Note: An MSD 6 Series cannot be used with distributorless ignition systems (DIS).
THEORY OF 6 SERIES IgNITION
CapaCitive DisCharge
The MSD 40th Anniversary Ignition features a capacitive discharge ignition design. The majority of
stock ignition systems are inductive ignitions. In an inductive ignition, the coil must store and step
up the voltage to maximum strength in between each firing. At higher rpm, since there is less time to
charge the coil to full capacity, the voltage falls short of reaching maximum energy which results in
a loss of power or top end miss.
The MSD Ignition features a capacitor which is quickly charged (within one millisecond) with 460 - 480
volts and stores it until the ignition is triggered. With the CD design, the voltage sent to the coil is always
at full power even at high rpm.
Multiple sparks
The MSD 40th Anniversary Ignition produces full power multiple sparks for each firing of a plug. The
number of multiple sparks that occur decreases as rpm increases, however the spark series always
lasts for 20° of crankshaft rotation. Above 3,000 rpm there is simply not enough "time" to fire the spark
plug more than once, so there is only one powerful spark.
Congratulations on the purchase of your MSD 40th Anniversary 6AL Ignition Control! Not only is this limited
edition (one of 4,000) Ignition Control going to be a collector’s item, but its powerful CD sparks will fire up
the performance of your engine!
The 40th 6AL is supported with a Limited Lifetime Warranty for the original owner so be sure to register your
ignition with MSD at www.msdignition.com/40register. Also, see the last page of these instructions to get a
free t-shirt from MSD! Thanks for being a part of MSD’s 40 years of performance!
4 - 10-32 Hex Nuts
6 - #10 Lock Washers
1 - 100V/1A Diode
4 - Wire Splicers
2 - Wire Ties
1 - Faston Receptacle
2 - Faston Straight Terminals
4 - Vibration Mounts and Hardware
4 - RPM Modules, 3,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000
parts included:
1 - MSD 6 Series Ignition
1 - Harness, PN 8860
1 - Harness, PN 8861
1 - 18" Ground Wire
1 - White Jumpers
1 - Red Jumper
4 - 45° Faston Terminals
4 - #8 x 3/4" Screws
2 - 10-32 x 1/2" Screws