MSD pro billet

[Scott Engelhardt]

Ok I had some ignition troubles late last summer so I bought an MSD ready to run. I put it in and could not get car to run well at all. Double checked firing order what seemed like 100 times. Called MSD tech support was told I had a ground issue so ground direct to battery still pop, backfire. Tech said bypass ballast resister. I have 12 volts at coil positive. Sent distributor in to be tested while I waited I fixed my other distributor. When I got MSD back there was a note no issues found but instructions for bypassing the resistor were highlighted. I put the car away for the winter and forgot about it till last week. So today I thought let’s try again. Same **** different year. Backfires, timing bounces around, hook up vacuum advance and it dies. Needless to say I am not too impressed with MSD. When I bought this I went all in wires, coil, and distributor. I am really disappointed with this product.
Is anyone else have issues with these?

 

[Stroker68]

K. You stated you had some ingition issues before the new MSD install. Were they the same issues? If not what were they?

 

[Stroker68]

Distributor indexed correctlynto begin with?

 

[Scott Engelhardt]

It was a module issue.
yes it is indexed

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

Have you tried 1 M80 on each side of the shaft. Me thimks it will cure the issued with that diz!

 

[Scott Engelhardt]

Not following you

 

[GetX'd]

Sorry to hear of the problems. Actually I put one of those in the X a few years ago. And it’s been a perfect product for me. I did the same thing with the whole nine yards. All MSD.

 

[Scott Engelhardt]

are you talking about the springs?

 

[Stroker68]

Well... couple things to check here. Could 180 degrees out. Could be off on your index with the number one cylinder. You stated that hooking up has advance makes it die? Sounds like timing. When you connect to vac it pulls more timing. Did you see where the rotor was at tdc on number 1 when you removed it and then reinstall? On bb mopar rotor should point at around 5 o'clock when at tdc on number 1. Seeing what your process was.

 

[Stroker68]

Still running current through resistor?

 

[Scott Engelhardt]

I rotated to TDC #1 when I removed the old distributor and new was installed the same way

 

[Stroker68]

Typically a resistor issue will result in a no start or start and die when releasing the key.

 

[Scott Engelhardt]

12 volts at coil positive I even tried a direct wire to battery positive

 

[Stroker68]

Ok. I suspect your 1 off on your index or 180 out. Meaning you need get to tdc on number 1 cylinder. First change the rotation of the plugs wires one way or another on the cap clockwise first. Move number 1 to the left and all the others to follow. If doesnt work try to the right. If it still doesnt want to be friends make note of where the rotor is pointing at tdc on number 1 and turn it 180 degrees and reinstall. Happens to the best. Been there. Power is there you say. Process of elimination. MSD unit has been ruled out.

 

[66Satellite47]

One other thing to check, the position of the distrib/oil pump drive gear. 1 tooth off with that gear creates a significant timing problem. Also be sure TDC is really TDC.

 

[Lefty71]

I've never tried one of those before, so take my advice with a grain of salt......
I don't think you set it in wrong, or 180 out, or mis-indexed oil drive, etc. It sounds to me like the timing is jumping forward as soon as it gets running, like the light springs are bring all in too fast, then dropping back out when it stumbles. I think this is what Hemi-Itis is referring to with the springs he mentioned. Have you tried marking the distributor location (so you dont get lost in the process), and then loosen it up and crank the thing around to find a happy spot as soon as it starts, or even whilst trying to start?? Have the timing light on it so you can see the results. Definately need a skilled helper for this one (or two), and may need to raise the idle while troubleshooting, then try turning it back down if all works out. Also, I know you've chatted with tech, but who selected the coil? And has anyone double checked the compatibility? MSD calls for specific coils for certain applications, sometimes you have to watch there. Also, battery voltage good while you are doing this troubleshooting?? HTH, Lefty71

 

[Scott Engelhardt]

This morning it will not even fire. It had the stiffest springs on to advance. Yesterday when I did have it running I set the base timing to 11 I could watch the timing change all over the place. So with no vacuum advance or mechanical advance I could not get a steady timing. I am go to try my stock coil and if that don’t work I will put the Chrysler electronic ignition back in it.

 

[4mulas]

This morning it will not even fire. It had the stiffest springs on to advance. Yesterday when I did have it running I set the base timing to 11 I could watch the timing change all over the place. So with no vacuum advance or mechanical advance I could not get a steady timing. I am go to try my stock coil and if that don’t work I will put the Chrysler electronic ignition back in it.

What camshaft do you have in your engine?

 

[Lefty71]

This morning it will not even fire. It had the stiffest springs on to advance

Wow, you are right, thats nuts. What was the condition of the engine before starting this project?? May the nylon cam gear is fubared and you just dont know it??

 

[Scott Engelhardt]

Ok update
Took MSD off put the Mopar ignition back on car fired up on fast idle (auto choke) warmed up dropped to 900 rpm set base timing to 11 degrees of base time hooked up vacuum advance and me and the dog went for a drive. Car runs perfect.
I only bought the MSD because when the ignition module failed last summer I had heard the MSD is much more reliable and some performance gains low RPM. When I could not get it to run right last summer I sent in to MSD and put the Mopar in with new module. I had a free Saturday yesterday and thought I would give it a try again. I am not 100% sure of this but wonder if the super coil 3 is not compatible with the ready to run distributor. I bought everything from a speed shop where I buy almost everything. They treat me well and I will quiz them this week. The engine is built to pretty much 69 HP 440 spec so it is a pretty mild build. Looks like I may have made a 600 dollar MSD mistake.
Thank you everyone for your input I just could not make the system work.