Ignition Help Needed
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Ignition Help Needed
I have a 78 Corvette L82. I upgraded to MSD distributor several years ago. Recently I started having problems with it losing RPM's and sluggish when it warmed up. Yesterday I installed new plugs. It started immediately and I attempted to check and set the timing. After i set the timing it got worse and now it won't start at all. It acts like it is not getting a spark at all. Could this be the MSD electronic coil going bad. I am at a loss on this one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
I have a 78 Corvette L82. I upgraded to MSD distributor several years ago. Recently I started having problems with it losing RPM's and sluggish when it warmed up. Yesterday I installed new plugs. It started immediately and I attempted to check and set the timing. After i set the timing it got worse and now it won't start at all. It acts like it is not getting a spark at all. Could this be the MSD electronic coil going bad. I am at a loss on this one.
Pull a plug wire off and stick a 1/4" X 3" bolt into the boot. Hold it next to a ground and it should produce a blue spark 1" to 1-1/4" long. If no spark let me know and we'll go from there.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
If you messed around or NEAR the six wire connector at the rear area of your right valve cover ( wiring coming up from the starter area)...this connector supplies power to your fuse panel and there are two wires in this connector that are needed...if my memory serves me correctly...so...I would check and see if you are getting 12 volts to the MSD like thy need. If it is there....then I would check for spark.
DUB
DUB
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 245
Likes: 40
From: Hollister, California
MSD coil
I have a 78 Corvette L82. I upgraded to MSD distributor several years ago. Recently I started having problems with it losing RPM's and sluggish when it warmed up. Yesterday I installed new plugs. It started immediately and I attempted to check and set the timing. After i set the timing it got worse and now it won't start at all. It acts like it is not getting a spark at all. Could this be the MSD electronic coil going bad. I am at a loss on this one.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I tried that and I did get a sperk. I was rinally able to get it started again but I cannot get it timed. It runs really rough and slowly loses power.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 7
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I installed an MSD coil in my 75 Vette about a year and a half ago. I now have the same problem as you. It started fine and than started acting up. The tach would go to 2000 rpm and than drop to 0. I shut the engine off and than I tried to restart the engine and it would not fire. I took the MSD coil out and reinstalled my factory OEM coil and the car runs fine. I suggest trying swapping out the coil as I did to get an idea whats going on. BTW my coil died 6months after the warranty period expired, go figure!!
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I installed an MSD coil in my 75 Vette about a year and a half ago. I now have the same problem as you. It started fine and than started acting up. The tach would go to 2000 rpm and than drop to 0. I shut the engine off and than I tried to restart the engine and it would not fire. I took the MSD coil out and reinstalled my factory OEM coil and the car runs fine. I suggest trying swapping out the coil as I did to get an idea whats going on. BTW my coil died 6months after the warranty period expired, go figure!!
