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misfire conundrum

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Old Aug 24, 2019 | 04:24 PM
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St. Jude Donor '05
Default misfire conundrum

sbc msd
Symptoms were lazy idle, reduced power, hard restarts slight studdering around 2-3k as if there was too much timing, bucked some at low rpm

Replaced
Coil
Wires
Cap
Rotor
Plugs have 10 mi but show the result of not enough spark, hate to change again less I have to.

If the magnetic pickup/miodule was bad it would just quit?
Same with the box?
Hopefully sort this out or throw it out for an HEI.

Anyone run into this? Always ran clean as a whisltle prior to, less than 100 mi on everything (engine too)battery new

Last edited by cv67; Aug 24, 2019 at 04:25 PM.
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Old Aug 24, 2019 | 04:28 PM
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You seem to be missing some details.
Apparently you dont have an HEI but you refer to a box and pickup/module.
Can you provide specific details on your ignition system?
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Old Aug 24, 2019 | 05:57 PM
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Its discontinued......8 yrs ago bought a summit brand MSD type system. At that time it was made my msd for them...no pn
Their replacements are now being made in a sweat shop in china..all parts, wiring is identical

Ive never heard the rev limiter come on starting to wonder if this things no good.

Go Pro is broken sure a clip would help
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Old Aug 25, 2019 | 12:51 PM
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Go get a genuine GM 4-pin HEI from junkyard car.

Replace a few parts and it'll be golden for looong time.
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Old Aug 25, 2019 | 01:07 PM
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leaning that direction the only reason I bought it is with 82 deg overlap was concerned about plugs loading up.

Simply dont trust these things seen too man fail over the years. Think all the rev limiters, 2 steps etc are for track rats/kids.
Dist had to be torn apart brand new and rebuilt as the bushings werent right was never happy with it.

Throwing plugs in think if that doesnt solve it I will make the switch to HEI keep it simple. Plus I can actually read the timing light lol

Jackson what do you recommend for a module? The engine sees as much as 7500 on occasion. Coil?

Last edited by cv67; Aug 25, 2019 at 01:08 PM.
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Old Aug 25, 2019 | 01:31 PM
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dui module ... gm coil
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Old Aug 25, 2019 | 01:34 PM
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pull the gear ... pull shaft ... change out pickup w/ new standard mootor products pu ... shim it & run a gear that's right for your camshaft
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Old Aug 25, 2019 | 09:04 PM
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Youre referring to the HEI Jackson? For some reason I recall reading (yeah I know...) the GM module wouldnt handle high rpm if it does thats good news.

Last edited by cv67; Aug 25, 2019 at 09:04 PM.
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Old Aug 25, 2019 | 09:38 PM
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dui module ... gm coil ... smp pickup

Yes ... OE GM 4pin HEI

Last edited by jackson; Aug 25, 2019 at 09:40 PM.
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Old Sep 8, 2019 | 12:59 PM
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threw plugs at it, retimed, misfire is still there, acts like it has too much timing

Think I have a fd distributor gear.;btw those nubs on the end of msd wires want to fry, going back to summit brand or parts store wires they run no different and fit better.


Last edited by cv67; Sep 8, 2019 at 01:46 PM.
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Old Sep 8, 2019 | 05:36 PM
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If its a Summit part, call them and ask if there is a replacement available. I had a bad gauge from them and they gave me credit towards an autometer guage. Maybe they will help you out towards a real MSD. MSD had a troubleshooting flow chart for the new digital ones
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Old Sep 8, 2019 | 05:45 PM
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You stated earlier, new plug wires. Double check that #5 and #7 wires are no where near each other. Due to the firing order of Chevys, those two like to crossfire.
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Old Sep 11, 2019 | 12:16 PM
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I have said this before but inspect each spark plug for a cracked ceramic.......this is VERY hard to see and can have a person chasing their tail to no end. It would have the exact symptoms you describe.
Even new plugs can be broken in the box.......I ran into this on my 383 ElCamino.....it was a mule and had an HEI.....it was hard as hell to start and ran like **** when it did......I OHM'd wires....checked the plugs (Electrode) and the cap was off like 5 times making sure the button wasn't eroded. One day standing there with it running I could hear some ticking....I was looking around and a VERY small zap was jumping to the header from the plug. I shut it off and pulled that plug.....inspected the wire-OK, but held the plug up close and there was a hairline crack in the ceramic. Threw a plug in it and it was like different car.

Jebby
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Old Sep 11, 2019 | 03:59 PM
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Replaced them in case one was cracked runs the same
Summit wont stand behind this....even though it has maybe 60 mi the system is 8 yrs old. Nice...didnt expect them to

Ck distributor gear is next, this has had lots of milling so ate 1 right off the bat (bronze big mistake)
Dont hear abnormal valvetrain noise so for now ruling out a bad solid lifter (roller)
Overlooked the fact the coil wire has never been replaced.
Leave ck the gear til last as the shaft always leans to one side making reinstall a royal pain. With 10 blown discs and 6 tumors on my spine leaning over a hood isnt something easily done.

Last edited by cv67; Sep 11, 2019 at 04:10 PM.
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Old Sep 12, 2019 | 12:54 AM
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Picture of plugs please:-)
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Old Sep 12, 2019 | 10:39 AM
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Autolite 3924s...plugs I took out or ones I just put in? Runs same
Gapped at .035

Wires I had were some msd's Ive had forever but thought maybe they got damaged being stuffed in boxes so went to Napa spent 28 bux and got their "best" 8mm set. Found over time theres no difference between fancy stuff and good parts store wires but worst case Im not out much $

Last edited by cv67; Sep 12, 2019 at 10:43 AM.
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