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. 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.
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2
IN STAL L A T ION I N S TRUCT I O N S
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. 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.
Black: Connect from the “Coil -” terminal to the negative terminal (-) of the coil.
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 or
the terminals must be grounded. 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 jumper wire from the points output in the distributor to
the “Points” 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).
Note: The magnetic pickup wires must be routed away from all voltage carrying wires. A shielded
6-feet harness is available as PN 8862.
Common Mag Pickup Wires
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.
Distributor Colors
Mag+ Mag-
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
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I
RETARD
0
1
2
3
OR
GREEN
VIOLET
DISTRIBUTOR
WITH
MAGNETIC PICKUP
NOTE: THIS DIAGRAM
ILLUSTRATES HOW TO
INSTALL ANY MSD
TIMING CONTROL.
MSD CRANK
TRIGGER WHEEL
MAGNETIC PICKUP
CONNECTOR
WHITE
NOT USED
RED
YELLOW
INHIBIT
RAS
OUTPUT
RAS
IGN
TACH
START
RETARD
PNTS
M+
M-
RET #1
RET #2
RET #3
RET #4
LAUNCH
BURNOUT
COIL +
TRIG DIAG
COIL -
BATT -
BATT +
TM
TO BATTERY
NEGATIVE
TO BATTERY
POSITIVE
MSD
DISTRIBUTOR
ORANGE (+)
BLACK (-)
COIL
NS T A L L A T IO N I N S T R U C T I O N S 3
Figure 1 Wiring the Primary Side of the Ignition to Points or Magnetic Pickup.
Figure 2 Primary Wiring to an MSD Timing or Boost Control and a Magnetic Pickup.
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IN STAL L A T ION I N S TRUCT I O N S
The following diagrams show the installation to a Mallory and an Accel BEI distributor.
Figure 3 Primary Wiring to an Accel BEI Distributor.
Figure 4 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.
GM HEI DISTRIBUTOR
The 7AL-3 can be wired to the GM HEI Distributor. You must identify which module your distributor has
to determine which wiring diagram to use. Count the number of pins or terminals on the module.
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NOTE: ALL 3-WIRE MALLORY DISTRIBUTORS CONNECT THIS WAY.
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