So before I installed the MSD6AL and the MSD Blaster Coil The Hall had the issue where it wouldn't start until you rocked the key back off triggering the starter and to the run position. This is very counter to every car I've ever owned. For me I'm used to hearing it fire then back off the starter. I am guessing this is either an old Dodge thing or something with the stock ignition. I did get the MSD installed but since I'm still needing the stock ignition to provide the signal the issue presists. Has anyone run into this issue? Can I alter this behavior if this is by design?

You shouldn't have to do that when starting. Sounds like you're not getting enough spark. Could be the starter is drawing too much (check for good engine ground) or your ignition is weak. People typically blame the ballast resistor but that normally just kills the whole thing if it breaks. You probably don't need the ballast resistor with the MSD anyway.

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Nick Taylor - Green & White 1974 Hall GTC.
www.NicksGarage.com == www.HallGTC.com == www.NicksTeardrop.com

It did turn out to be the ballast resistor . It was the double one and there were cracks in it so I'm guessing the one side was not working. For only $8 it's worth a shot if you are having the issue to give it a try.

Well after further testing no the issue is not resolved. Hard to say why this is happening.

You might want to put a DC clamp-on ammeter on the starter lead and see if your starter is pulling too many amps for the ignition to work properly. Aslo check the back of the key switch (a pain in the butt) for loose or frayed wire leads - and the same for other ignition wire connections. It could also be that you need a new ignition switch.

Well perhaps I should have dug into this deeper before the trip as it was part to blame for braking down about 40 miles out of town behind a Dary Queen. At first when it started dying on me I was thinking it was a fuel issue. That however changed to igntion as I couldn't run the stater for more then a second before the whole ignition circuit went dead. I was lucky enough to find a replacement 5 pin ignition control box and that fixed the starter issue but then I wasn't getting any spark. after 2 hours of working I threw in the towel and called AAA... Thank goodness for AAA rv +.. got it towed home.. switched all the important gear to my parents pleasure way and took off again. Got to Florence about 11:30pm and we orignally headed out about 11:00am. It ended up being a fun weekend. I am pretty much set on totally removing any of the stock igniton and running solely on the MSD. When I was hooking it up the first time thats what I should have done but didn't realize I had a magnetic pickup distributer already. I gues the 5 pin system was not stock for 73.. so either Hall or previous owner did change it out.

I'm taking a break from the van for a few days and then I'll get the stock ignition removed.

Sorry to hear of your trouble. I've never had any problems with stock Chrysler ignition systems and I've had the gamut of mopars over the years. What I did have a problem with was the aftermarket Petronix electronic ignition conversion in my '64 Dodge. I went on a camping trip and it totally died on me. I ended up having to buy a stock points distributor for the car so I could get home after the trip. Fortunately it died right in front of the campground office and they were able to pull me to my spot using a golf cart.

I haven't really looked close enough at my GTC to see if Hall made any modifications but I'm pretty sure it is just stock. I had to replace the underhood wiring on my Brougham as it had been hacked up when they changed from a 440 engine to a 360. In '79, the MH chassis did have a different harness due to emissions differences. I had to use a standard van one and just leave off some components that I wasn't required to have. The ignition parts were the same.

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Nick Taylor - Green & White 1974 Hall GTC.
www.NicksGarage.com == www.HallGTC.com == www.NicksTeardrop.com

I think mine was probably a dual issue of ignition and fuel. Hopping to get back to work on it this weekend. I want to get the ignition fixed then rebuild the Carb and upgrade the filter and pump. Next camping trip is coming up fast.. at least this one is closer.

I also haven't had any ignition issues - even after replacing the distributor. The original solid-state system works very well, and I would probably leave it as stock as possible. (But that's just me)

I got a chance to work on it on saturday. I bypassed the stock system and went all MSD and had the van running in 30 mins. It starts on the first crank everytime now. No more key rocking. I'm not sure why the stock system failed even after replacing the 5 pin box or the ballast resistor. Eitherway it's running good now. I just need to get the drive shaft reconnected and it should be good to go.

So when we were cleaning up the wires from the 5 pin for a perminate bypass we found on of the 5 pin connector wires had exposed wire that could have been grounding out. I am thinking that may have been part of the issue when I broke down. At this point I'm all MSD and it's running great now that the vac advance is disabled and the timing reset.

Check out this self-contained HEI distributor on Ebay. Just needs a coil. The price is only $44.50 plus shipping which is incredibly cheap. And it comes with a lifetime warranty. Too good to be true?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0481103007

_________________
Nick Taylor - Green & White 1974 Hall GTC.
www.NicksGarage.com == www.HallGTC.com == www.NicksTeardrop.com