Question for MSD experts...
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Question for MSD experts...
I'm having a problem on my ignition system of my '68... I don't know exactly what component causes that issue.. but I'm 90% sure that the MSD box (6 AL) is responsible... I drove 450 miles yesterday with the '68 and had several problems... The alternator stopped working and I had to replace it.. Another problem was that the car shut down in the middle of I-75 on the way to Satasota (where I went) and on the way back - the same thing happened... Each time - there was no spark at all at the spark plugs... After about 40 minutes trying to start the car - I got spark again and continued my drive... This has happened to me before about 2 years ago.. but I didn't check if I had a spark or not at that time... I also suspect that it has something to do with the temperature.. Each time that the ignition stopped working - it was on a very hot day (around 90 degrees with high humidity)...
Is there a circuit breaker etc in the MSD that shuts off for a period of time at a certain condition??? Does anybody know?? :confused: :confused:
Is there a circuit breaker etc in the MSD that shuts off for a period of time at a certain condition??? Does anybody know?? :confused: :confused:
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Rockingham NC
Re: Question for MSD experts... (GrandSportC3)
Sounds logical, however i have ran MSD boxes and distributors for years on circle track race cars and had no problems. I do mount them as far away from any heat as possible. On my race cars i keep them in the cockpit, and on my 69 i have it under the dash on passanger side. They are very tempremental when it comes to heat. Alot of the times the MSD coils will shut down from the heat under the hood as well. That will also cause a no spark problem. Hope this helps a bit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 14
From: CA
Re: Question for MSD experts... (GrandSportC3)
I would guess that the module in the distributor may be faulty (weakest link). The distributor will get very hot, especially on a hot day. If not that, the next thing I would check would be the pickup coil in the dist if MSD's use those.
Double check all of the ground connections in the ign sys, including the motor ground
:cheers:
Double check all of the ground connections in the ign sys, including the motor ground
:cheers:
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Question for MSD experts... (brs6482)
Sounds logical, however i have ran MSD boxes and distributors for years on circle track race cars and had no problems. I do mount them as far away from any heat as possible. On my race cars i keep them in the cockpit, and on my 69 i have it under the dash on passanger side. They are very tempremental when it comes to heat. Alot of the times the MSD coils will shut down from the heat under the hood as well. That will also cause a no spark problem. Hope this helps a bit.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Question for MSD experts... (71coupe)
I would guess that the module in the distributor may be faulty (weakest link). The distributor will get very hot, especially on a hot day. If not that, the next thing I would check would be the pickup coil in the dist if MSD's use those.
Double check all of the ground connections in the ign sys, including the motor ground
:cheers:
Double check all of the ground connections in the ign sys, including the motor ground
:cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 14
From: CA
Re: Question for MSD experts... (GrandSportC3)
That is a common problem for HEI's. Heat usually kills the pickup coil, but it can be intermittent. If the module goes, it usually doesnt turn back on. Guess which one is more expensive...
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,660
Likes: 3
From: South Central Louisiana
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Question for MSD experts... (71coupe)
Here is what I learned about MSD ignitions about a year ago when i Had ignition problems with my 71. Rule out all other potential problems before you suspect your box. Good thing about MSD they have a technical department you can send your box to, they will run it through all tests and can repair it if its broken. I made the mistake of suspecting the box first and paying MSD to test the box when it was perfectly fine. It did give me piece of mind and MSD did send an instruction manual with it that I didn't have before.
My problem was the pointless conversion pickup in my distributor, just as Lars suspected.
My problem was the pointless conversion pickup in my distributor, just as Lars suspected.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Question for MSD experts... (LAvetteman)
Here is what I learned about MSD ignitions about a year ago when i Had ignition problems with my 71. Rule out all other potential problems before you suspect your box. Good thing about MSD they have a technical department you can send your box to, they will run it through all tests and can repair it if its broken. I made the mistake of suspecting the box first and paying MSD to test the box when it was perfectly fine. It did give me piece of mind and MSD did send an instruction manual with it that I didn't have before.
My problem was the pointless conversion pickup in my distributor, just as Lars suspected.
My problem was the pointless conversion pickup in my distributor, just as Lars suspected.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,367
Likes: 1,061
From: Virginia USA
Re: Question for MSD experts... (wackedvette)
Are you using a rev limiter "pill"? I had a similar problem and when I removed my 5800rpm pill it started and ran fine. I have replaced the pill with a 6000rpm unit and it’s been fine ever since. If you are using a pill then remove it and drive around for a few weeks to see if your problem goes away. Good luck.
P.S. My 6AL is located on the inside rear of the passenger side front wheel well and this is the only problem I have had with my MSD setup. It also happened two to three months after I installed the MSD/engine. That was over 4 years ago.
P.S. My 6AL is located on the inside rear of the passenger side front wheel well and this is the only problem I have had with my MSD setup. It also happened two to three months after I installed the MSD/engine. That was over 4 years ago.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Question for MSD experts... (GrandSportC3)
I would guess that the module in the distributor may be faulty (weakest link). The distributor will get very hot, especially on a hot day. If not that, the next thing I would check would be the pickup coil in the dist if MSD's use those.
Double check all of the ground connections in the ign sys, including the motor ground
:cheers:
If it is the distributor - what would cause it to temporary shut down??? BTW - my distributor is a 50000 Volt Proform HEI...
Double check all of the ground connections in the ign sys, including the motor ground
:cheers:
If it is the distributor - what would cause it to temporary shut down??? BTW - my distributor is a 50000 Volt Proform HEI...
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Question for MSD experts... (Fevre)
I would guess that the module in the distributor may be faulty (weakest link). The distributor will get very hot, especially on a hot day. If not that, the next thing I would check would be the pickup coil in the dist if MSD's use those.
Double check all of the ground connections in the ign sys, including the motor ground
:cheers:
If it is the distributor - what would cause it to temporary shut down??? BTW - my distributor is a 50000 Volt Proform HEI...
I would suspect the ing module since I have heard of them going on the fritz when bad and the car is hot; cheap and easy to replace and if that is not the problem throw the old in the car in case the new one takes a crap, always nice to have a back up.
Double check all of the ground connections in the ign sys, including the motor ground
:cheers:
If it is the distributor - what would cause it to temporary shut down??? BTW - my distributor is a 50000 Volt Proform HEI...
I would suspect the ing module since I have heard of them going on the fritz when bad and the car is hot; cheap and easy to replace and if that is not the problem throw the old in the car in case the new one takes a crap, always nice to have a back up.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Question for MSD experts... (theandies)
Are you using a rev limiter "pill"? I had a similar problem and when I removed my 5800rpm pill it started and ran fine. I have replaced the pill with a 6000rpm unit and itÂ’s been fine ever since. If you are using a pill then remove it and drive around for a few weeks to see if your problem goes away. Good luck.
P.S. My 6AL is located on the inside rear of the passenger side front wheel well and this is the only problem I have had with my MSD setup. It also happened two to three months after I installed the MSD/engine. That was over 4 years ago.
P.S. My 6AL is located on the inside rear of the passenger side front wheel well and this is the only problem I have had with my MSD setup. It also happened two to three months after I installed the MSD/engine. That was over 4 years ago.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Question for MSD experts... (LAvetteman)
It was permanent. I had erratic timing at around 3k RPM's.
[Modified by GrandSportC3, 11:46 PM 5/3/2004]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 14
From: CA
Re: Question for MSD experts... (GrandSportC3)
This is that part in the HEI that will give you the intermittent failure:
Here is a link that gives you a breakdown of the HEI:
http://www.rustpuppy.org/ignition2/Ignition%202b.htm
:cheers:
Here is a link that gives you a breakdown of the HEI:
http://www.rustpuppy.org/ignition2/Ignition%202b.htm
:cheers:
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Question for MSD experts... (71coupe)
This is that part in the HEI that will give you the intermittent failure:
Here is a link that gives you a breakdown of the HEI:
http://www.rustpuppy.org/ignition2/Ignition%202b.htm
:cheers:
Here is a link that gives you a breakdown of the HEI:
http://www.rustpuppy.org/ignition2/Ignition%202b.htm
:cheers: