Multi-Spark Discharge Ignition System - 1994 Ford F150

1. It was a happy day at the OFF-ROAD offices when this batch of goodies showed up. From the top left item, in clockwise order: the multi-spark discharge module, a vehicle specific wiring harness, a billet-housed distributor, plug wires, and a new coil.

1. It was a happy day at the OFF-ROAD offices when this batch of goodies showed up. From t

It's easy to understand why you'd purchase a new ignition system when the one on your truck isn't working correctly-after all, that's what fires the engine! The reasons for replacing an ignition system on a later-model vehicle that seems to work just fine haven't always been crystal clear to many. However, after learning more about how an ignition system works, as well as the benefits provided by a multi-spark discharge setup, we were sold. MSD sent us one, along with a new distributor and coil, and we popped it all on a buddy's '94 F-150. What was it that convinced us? Were we happy with the result? Read on for the answer!

Simply put, an ignition system ignites the fuel inside the engine's combustion chamber. When you turn the key in your vehicle, a low-voltage signal is amplified by an ignition module, and transferred to the ignition coil. The coil works with the vehicle's computer to send electricity to the distributor, which in turn dishes out the electricity to the spark plugs. Spark plugs then ignite the fuel within the engine's cylinders, thus moving the pistons.

Multi Spark Discharge Ignition System 1994 Ford F150 Pro Billet Distributor

2. MSD's Pro Billet distributor features a lightweight but incredibly strong aluminum housing, milled and lathed to a flawless shape and finish. The polished steel shaft inside has been coated to reduce friction and resist corrosion, and it uses a magnetic pickup to trigger ignition, which won't ever have to be adjusted. Plus, the thing just looks cool.

2. MSD's Pro Billet distributor features a lightweight but incredibly strong aluminum hous

Conventional ignition systems cause the spark plugs to fire just once during the piston stroke, but multi-spark discharge systems, like the one MSD provided us, are calibrated so that the spark plug fires several times as the piston moves. This helps foster a more efficient combustion of the fuel in the cylinder-a more complete burn.

Additionally, the MSD ignition module we received is capable of providing much hotter sparks-the greatly amplified output is 450 volts to the coil rather than the 14 that most stock modules provide.

What does this all mean?

Well, a multi-spark discharge system will provide easier engine start-up, reduced spark plug fouling, and the increased combustion efficiency means more power and even better gas mileage in many cases. Drag racers love 'em because the hot, multiple sparks lead to quicker ET's on the track.

After getting all of the MSD stuff on the F-150, the owner told us it's never run stronger or more smoothly. Engine power is at an all time high, and we think gas mileage is even a little better.

3. The new coil popped right in, fitting perfectly in the spot where we had removed the old one. Pretty simple-no modification of any kind was required for the install of this part. MSD coils are designed and manufactured to handle the increased voltage provided by the hot-rodded ignition module.
3. The new coil popped right in, fitting perfectly in the spot where we had removed the ol
4. After the coil was in, the distributor (sans cap) was dropped in. We paid special attention to the old distributor as we removed it, noting its precise position, and set the new one in similarly so as not to wildly throw off the timing, which we would then fine tune later.
4. After the coil was in, the distributor (sans cap) was dropped in. We paid special atten
5. Here, we hold the new distributor cap above the old one. MSD Super Conductor plug wires will now run from the cap to the spark plugs. The plug wires came as a universal cut-to-fit set, and doing so proved pretty easy thanks to an idiot-proof splicing tool that was included with the wires.
5. Here, we hold the new distributor cap above the old one. MSD Super Conductor plug wires

6. The cap was placed on the distributor, and the wires were run to the corresponding spark plugs. Special consideration was made to keep the wires from hanging too close to the exhaust headers that seemed to be wrapped every which way around the bottom of the engine block.
6. The cap was placed on the distributor, and the wires were run to the corresponding spar
7. The last Super Conductor wire to be plugged in went from the coil to the distributor. If we had stopped here, the stock ignition module could have been retained and the truck would have run just fine. We weren't done, however...
7. The last Super Conductor wire to be plugged in went from the coil to the distributor. I
8. It was time to plug in the ignition module itself, which would provide us with the multiple spark discharge. This particular model also has an adjustable rev limiter, which can come in handy in off-road situations; a driveline failure, for example, might cause a sudden spike in RPMs that could potentially cause engine damage. Thanks to the rev limiter, that won't be an issue for this F-150.
8. It was time to plug in the ignition module itself, which would provide us with the mult

9. This little vehicle-specific wiring harness saved us quite a lot of time! Installing the ignition box would have involved a whole lot of splicing without it. Since we had one, the install was basically a plug-and-play operation. MSD has been around long enough (40 years) to know that parts like these really help the consumer out.
9. This little vehicle-specific wiring harness saved us quite a lot of time! Installing th
10. The ignition module can be mounted almost anywhere, but the cleaner, safer, and drier, the better. In this case, the vehicle owner chose to mount it behind his glove box, and carved out a small amount of plastic from the rear of the glove box cabinet so that the module can be seen by anyone who opens it. This location provided easy access to the module.
10. The ignition module can be mounted almost anywhere, but the cleaner, safer, and drier,
11. A timing gun was used to help judge the timing so it could be fine-tuned. Once this was completed, the F-150 was ready to go, and go it did!
11. A timing gun was used to help judge the timing so it could be fine-tuned. Once this wa