Gold Box

[scratch]

I have a 77 scout whith a 304 and points distributor. I want to replace the gold box with a MSD unit. What units can I use?

[SS-396]

Just to correct you, Scouts with the holley gold box ignitions don't have a points distributor, they have one that looks almost the same from the outside, but inside instead of points and a cam, they have a hall sensor and reluctor(star wheel). If you have this distributor then there not much you can do cept, add a MSD to the existing gold box, and if it dies (like they all do) then you will be left stranded. The hall sensor square wave signal is not compatible with any of the MSD units, they need a sine wave AC style signal, so its not just a simple plug and play.

MSD does not make a distributor for IH's either.

Here are some options I have looked into for my gold box 75 Scout II XLC.

1. rebuilt standard points distributor any local autoparts store, 100$ and use that to fire/trigger a MSD box. They only problem I could foresee is arcing because the cap terminals are so close together. You might also find one in a scout graveyard for less, but it might be woreout.

2. rebuilt or used late model 77-80 Scout II prestolite distributor, these have the module inside the cap instead of on the firewall like our scouts. local auto parts stores should have them for around 100$. Same goes for arcing, I don't know if the stock cap can handle the increase in power.

3. if you have either of those distributors you can also get a pertronix ignitor or ignitor II trigger for 100$ and use that to fire a MSD box. the major drawback for us is that pertronix does not make a trigger for the holley gold box distributor. if they did that would make installing a MSD pretty easy. Also the pertronix ignitors require a max of 6 volts, so the power wire needs a ballast resistor installed, the factory prestolite optioned scouts have a special resistor wire that accomplishes that.

4. if you are good with a bit of machineing, then you can try this.
http://www.justinternationals.org/ford-hei.htm
This puts a ford duraspark trigger and reluctor into the holley gold box distributor, with that you could either put the stock ford duraspark in or just use the manetic trigger to fire a MSD box, if I can find a spare or frozen up holley gold box distributor, this is my plan. late 70's ford durasparks are all over the junkyards, thunderbirds, LTDs, rancheros, etc.

5. There are a few people on the scout boards that have ordered a GM HEI kit that someone is making, it requires that you install a different thermostat housing because of the HEI cap is to big. if you want more info on it let me know and I'll get it for ya.

I feel your pain.

Look for my earlier posts on gold box's and IH's on this board.

Good luck,

[SS-396]

Just a update, my Scout II has been running like crap ever since my original factory gold box died and I put in an aftermarket gold box, I talked with a local Scout parts dealer, and he sold me a rebuilt holley points distributor and a pertronix ignitor 1481 kit. It was easy to install, only took half an hour today to swap the distributor and hook up the two wires for the ignitor. Even uses the same cap and rotor. It completely bypasses and does not use the gold box or the wiring to it either. I'm very, very pleased, my Scout II didn't run this well even when I purchased it brand new in 1975. Another bonus is that it is very easy to hook up a MSD to the pertronix ignitor, so maybe I'll stuff one in later. Also if the pertronix module ever goes bad(they are guaranteed for 30 months), you can keep a spare set of points in your glovebox and put them in to get ya home.

[msdtech4]

scratch,

If you do not want a rev-limiter then use the 6A part number 6200. If you want a rev-limiter then use the 6AL part number 6420. This will help increase fuel burn in the cylinder and by doing this it will help performance, mileage, throttle response, starting and over all driveability. The amount will very from application to application but it will help. We offer a coil part number 8207 which is a high output coil. We unfortunately do not offer a distributor for this at this time. You will need to change the distributor that was used with the factory box to a points distributor or one of the conversion kits on the market like SS-396 did. These will be available from one of our dealers listed on our web page.

thanks,

MSD tech4