[bluegoat65]

Anyone have a MSD crank trigger setup they would like to sell?

[Jack Gifford]

FYI-

If you can do a little machining yourself (or get it done cheaply) a crank trigger can be very inexpensive. For the '58 Pontiac V8 in my GMC I machined an aluminum disc that mounts to the harmonic damper and has four tiny magnets pressed into it at 90 degree intervals. At that time, the least expensive Hall effect sensor I could find was a Crane unit (about $200), which I bracketed off the timing cover bolts. Working great for 3 years now (drives a Crane TCU which provides dial-up digital centrifugal/vacuum advance).

But now the best part. For a crank signal off the race engine I've built, I poked around on Amazon and bought a Chinese Hall effect sensor for $2! It has a microcircuit built into it that has all the functionality of the "race" units ($200-300)- zener regulation, Schmidt trigger circuit, etc.- even a built in LED for static timing setting. So... today I could build a complete crank trigger setup for $2 plus a little fabrication.

[Dragncar]

You ever thought about making some for sale Jack. I would be interested in buying one.

[bluegoat65]

Well I must say I m with Dragncar Jack. I too would like one if you were up for it. Could you make some cost effective for you and us? No pressure to commit, just askin. Sounds like you have a working proto.

[Dragncar]

The way I understand it is all distributors are about the same in giving you horsepower. But a crank trigger gets you 5-7 HP on a dyno.

[Jack Gifford]

I'm not interested in making/selling anything (I'll be 78 next month). But glad to share what I've learned. Fabricating your own crank trigger really is as simple and cheap as I said- unless for some reason there isn't a convenient way to mount the wheel to the crank/balancer of your engine.

I'll look for a receipt that shows the source of the Chinese sensors I bought.

Note: just to clarify- although the $2 sensor provides a 12v squarewave output to drive any ignition box, you'll still need advance functions- so there's no way around the cost of a timing control unit ($150 and up).

[bluegoat65]

Thank you for the input Jack. God Bless.

[BruceWilkie]

Neat idea Jack. Think two sensors could give a "start retard" and a full advance when key (or switch) returns to run?
Just make them individually adjustable.
Boosted could possibly add a 3rd sensor with a Hobbs switch for boost retard?

[Jack Gifford]

Yes, Bruce, a race application could employ such schemes as multiple sensors. Heck, my blown engines use totally fixed ignition timing. Street stuff however needs the normal centrifugal and vacuum functions.

I found the sensor spec sheet, but don't remember which Amazon retailor I bought it from. An Amazon search for NJK-5002C might locate it.

Edit: Yes, it's still on Amazon, sold by Toogoo. Price is now up to $3.35- but still includes free shipping!

[AC445]

Anyone know if MSD sells the magnets for their crank wheels.I have a wheel with 1 magnet and was told it was a tach sensor for the Pontiac SD 2.5 .

[Jack Gifford]

Yes, MSD will sell you the magnets.
But if you're doing your own wheel and can size the magnet holes to suit, for a couple of dollars you can buy a box (20 or so) of little round magnets (.250" dia. x .125" thick) on Amazon. They work fine.