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MSD Ignition 7AL-3 7230 Installation Instructions Manual

Ignition control
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MSD 7AL-3, Ignition Control
Important: Read the instructions before attempting the installation.
Parts Included:
1 - 7AL-3, PN 7230
1 - Parts bag (wires and connectors)
4 - RPM Modules 3000, 7000, 8000, 9000
4 - Retard Modules 2°, 3°, 4°, 4°
4 - Zero Degree Modules
4 - Vibration Mounts
WarnIng: During installation, disconnect the battery cables. When disconnecting the battery,
always remove the Negative cable first and install it last.
note: The MSD 7AL-3 will retard the ignition timing approximately 4° compared to other MSD Ignitions.
After installation, the timing should always be checked and adjusted at idle and total timing.
note: This unit is designed for 8-cylinder engines only.
CoIL ReCoMMeNDAtIoNS
The MSD 7AL-3 can be used with a variety of coils, but to receive the best performance, it is
recommended to use an MSD Coil. For drag racing and "short duration" applications, the Pro Power
Coil, PN 8201, is the best choice. For street applications or long duration racing events, the HVC Pro
Power Coil, PN 8251 is recommended. The 7AL-3 may be used with a GM HEI Distributor with an
internal coil, however the Rotor bushing must be replaced with an MSD Low Resistance bushing,
PN 8412.
MoUNtING
The 7AL-3 can be mounted under the hood, but should be mounted in a position away from direct
engine heat sources. Use the ignition as a template and mark the location of the mounting holes.
Remove the unit and drill the holes using a 1/4" bit. Install the vibration mounts to the 7AL-3 then
mount the ignition using the supplied lock washers and nuts.
WIRING
Wiring the 7AL-3 will be simple by following the instructions. There are several color coded wires
supplied with the 7AL-3 and should be used as noted to avoid confusion or wrong connections. This
section is also broken down into two sections; Primary Wiring and Optional Wiring.
• The Primary section designates the wires that must be connected to run the engine.
• The Optional Wiring section explains the wiring of optional built-in features such as the Rev Controls,
RPM Activated Switch and Retard Controls.
WarnIng: The 7AL-3 produces very high voltages. Never short the battery or coil terminals. Use
caution during installation and while working near the ignition.
M S D
I G N I T I O N
PN 7230
• w w w . m s d i g n i t i o n . c o m • ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 5 2 0 0 • FA X ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 3 3 4 4

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Summary of Contents for MSD Ignition 7AL-3 7230

  • Page 1 MSD 7AL-3, Ignition Control PN 7230 Important: Read the instructions before attempting the installation. Parts Included: 1 - 7AL-3, PN 7230 1 - Parts bag (wires and connectors) 4 - RPM Modules 3000, 7000, 8000, 9000 4 - Retard Modules 2°, 3°, 4°, 4° 4 - Zero Degree Modules 4 - Vibration Mounts WarnIng: During installation, disconnect the battery cables.

  • Page 2: Primary Wiring

    INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS PRIMARY WIRING WarnIng: During installation, disconnect the battery cables. When disconnecting the battery, always remove the Negative cable first and install it last. 1. begin wiring the MSD by connecting the wires responsible to run the engine. The terminal strip on the left side of the box is responsible for the Power Leads and the Coil Wires.
  • Page 3 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS Figure 1 Wiring the Primary Side of the Ignition to Points or Magnetic Pickup. ORANGE (+) BLACK (-) NOTE: THIS DIAGRAM ILLUSTRATES HOW TO COIL TRIG DIAG INSTALL ANY MSD OUTPUT INHIBIT TIMING CONTROL. RET #1 TACH RET #2 COIL + START RET #3...
  • Page 4 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS The following diagrams show the installation to a Mallory and an Accel bEI distributor. Figure 3 Primary Wiring to an Accel BEI Distributor. NOTE: ALL 3-WIRE MALLORY DISTRIBUTORS CONNECT THIS WAY. Figure 4 Primary Wiring to a Mallory Unilite Distributor. note: The MSD 7AL-3 will retard the ignition timing approximately 4°...
  • Page 5 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS TO ENGINE OR CHASSIS GROUND NOTE:MODULE AND WIRING WHITE NEEDS TO BE REMOVED. JUMPER NOTE: A LOW RESISTANCE HEI ROTOR BUSHING, PN 8412, MUST BE USED WITH AN MSD 7AL-3 IGNITION. 4-PIN MODULE ORANGE BLACK CONNECTOR TRIG DIAG OUTPUT INHIBIT 18"...

  • Page 6: Optional Wiring

    INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS oPtIoNAL WIRING This Wiring Section details the optional features of the MSD 7AL-3 and how to wire each system. StARt RetARD The Start Retard of the 7AL-3 is designed to ease starting on engines with locked timing, high compression and a lot of advance. When activated, the timing is retarded 25°. Some engine combinations benefit from this retard, while others may experience rough starting or starter kickback.
  • Page 7 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS Figure 8 Connecting the Three Step Module Selector. note: Since the 7AL-3 is primarily a drag race ignition, the Launch limit is designed to override the Race and burnout limits, even if the burnout limit is activated at the same time. connecting the three Step Function 1.
  • Page 8 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS Figure 9 Connecting the RPM Activated Switch. Basic Wiring: This example illustrates how to connect the RAS to activate a shift light at 7,000 rpm (Figure 9). 1. Connect the Gray wire to the RAS On/Off terminal and to a switched 12 volt source. This "prepares" the RAS circuit so when the desired rpm is reached the "Output Ras"...
  • Page 9 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 1. Connect the Gray wire from the "RAS On/Off" terminal, to a micro switch that will close only when high gear is activated. The other side of the switch must have 12 volts. 2. Connect the supplied Yellow wire from the “Output RAS” terminal located at the top of the middle terminal strip, to the ground side of the nitrous solenoid.
  • Page 10 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 2. Connect the brown/Orange wire from the RET-2 terminal to the 12 volt source side of the number two nitrous solenoid. When the second solenoid is activated the ground is removed and the RET-2 module is activated. note: Since the number one solenoid remains on, the first and second retard modules are now activated and their retard amounts are added together.

  • Page 11: Kill Switch

    INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS kIll SWItcH If your racing application requires an ignition kill switch (dead man's switch) it is easy to incorporate into the ignition's trigger input wire. When the trigger input terminal is grounded, the ignition is killed. A Single-Pole, Single Throw Switch is required (MSD PN 8806). Points: Connect one side of the switch to ground and the other side to the Points terminal of 7AL-3 (Figure 14).

  • Page 12: Limited Warranty

    *Intended normal use means that this item is being used as was originally intended and for the original application as sold by MSD Ignition. Any modifications to this item or if it is used on an application other than what MSD Ignition markets the product, the warranty will be void.

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