MSD 7330 Installation
MSD 7AL-3, Ignition Control
PN 7330
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Important: Read the instructions before attempting the installation.
Parts Included:
1 - 7AL-3, PN 7330
1 - Parts Bag (wires and connectors)
4 - RPM Modules 3000, 7000, 8000, 9000
4 - Retard Modules 2°, 3°, 4°, 5°, 10°, 15° and 20°
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.
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. For street applications or long duration racing events, the HVC Pro Power Coil, PN
8251 or PN 8261 are 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.
CYLINDER SELECT
This ignition can be used on 4, 6 (even-fire) or
8-cylinder engines. The ignition is set for 8-cylinder
operation. To program the unit for other engines,
remove the one screw that holds the cover to reveal
three wire loops (Figure 1). Cutting a wire loop
determines the cylinder selection.
Cylinders Loops to Cut
8 None
6 One
4 Two
Cut loops
Figure 1 Cylinder Programming.
Remove cap
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2
IN ST AL LA TION IN ST RU CTION S
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. This information starts on page 6.
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.
PRIMARY WIRING
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. Connect the supplied
wires as follows:
Heavy Red: Connect from the “Batt +” terminal directly to the battery positive (+) terminal.
Heavy Black: Connect from the “Batt -” terminal directly to the battery negative (-) terminal.
Orange: Connect from the “Coil +” terminal to the positive terminal (+) of the coil (570V).
Black: Connect from the “Coil -” terminal to the negative terminal (-) of the coil (Ground).
2. Move to the middle terminal strip and locate the terminal marked “Ignition”. Use the supplied RED
wire and connect it to a switched 12 volt source (ignition switch).
3. If a retard function is not going to be used the supplied "zero" degree module must be installed.
See the Multi-Step Retard Section.
4. The three terminals on the bottom of the middle terminal strip receive the trigger signal from the
distributor. One terminal is for points style applications and the other two are for use with a magnetic
pickup trigger, such as an MSD Billet Distributor or Crank Trigger.
Note: The Points and Mag Pickup terminals will never be connected at the same time.
Points: If you are using a Points style distributor or electronic amplifier, only the “Points” terminal
will be used. Connect the supplied WHITE wire from the points output in the distributor to the “Pnts”
terminal (Figure 1).
Magnetic Pickup: If you are using an MSD Distributor or Crank Trigger, only the Magnetic Pickup
terminals will be used. Locate the supplied harness with a VIOLET and GREEN wire with a 2-pin
connector on one end. Connect the VIOLET wire to the
“Mag +” terminal and the GREEN wire to the “Mag -”
terminal then connect the 2-pin connector to the Distributor
(Figure 1).
Common Mag Pickup Wires
Distributor Colors
Mag+ Mag-
Magnetic Pickup Polarity
The MSD 7AL-3 can be used with other magnetic pick-up
distributors as long as the wires are connected correctly.
The chart on the right shows the polarity of some common
magnetic pickups.
MSD Org/Blk Vio/Blk
MSD Crank Trigger Violet Green
Ford Orange Purple
46/48000
Accel
Accel
Chrysler Org/Wht Black
Mallory Org/Blk Vio/Blk
Series Org/Blk Vio/Blk
51/61000
Series Red Black
Figure 1
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I
RETARD
0
1
2
3
OR
GREEN
VIOLET
DISTRIBUTOR
WITH
MAGNETIC PICKUP
NOTE: THIS DIAGRAM
ILLUSTRATES HOW TO
INSTALL AN MSD
TIMING CONTROL.
MSD CRANK
TRIGGER WHEEL
MAGNETIC PICKUP
CONNECTOR
WHITE
NOT USED
RED
RED
YELLOW
RAS
ON/OFF
OUTPUT
RAS
IGN
TACH
START
RETARD
PNTS
M+
M-
RET #1
RET #2
RET #3
RET #4
LAUNCH
BURNOUT
COIL +
COIL -
BATT -
BATT +
TO BATTERY
NEGATIVE
TO BATTERY
POSITIVE
MSD
DISTRIBUTOR
ORANGE (+)
BLACK (-)
COIL
NST A LL A TIO N I N ST R UCT ION S 3
NOTE: THE POINTS AND MAG PICKUP
WIRES WILL NEED TO BE CONNECTED AT THE SAME TIME.
Figure 2 Wiring the Primary Side of the Ignition to Points or Magnetic Pickup.
Figure 3 Primary Wiring to an MSD Timing or Boost Control and a Magnetic Pickup.
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4
RAS
ON/OFF
IN ST AL LA TION IN ST RU CTION S
RAS
ON/OFF
MSD
READY-TO-RUN
DISTRIBUTOR
Figure 4 Primary Wiring to an MSD Ready-to-Run Distributor.
NOTE: ALL 3-WIRE MALLORY DISTRIBUTORS CONNECT THIS WAY.
Figure 5 Primary Wiring to a Mallory Unilite Distributor.
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.
M S D • W W W . M S D P E R F O R M A N C E . C O M • ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 5 2 0 0 • F A X ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 3 3 4 4
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