Ignition MSD Upgrade [Archive]

Manyfire

03-10-2011, 04:40 PM

Well for those of you that I have been chattin with I started today. I put the MSD Super Conductor wires and heat sleaves on today, with my injuries it took the entire day, but I got to do the two things I love the most, drink beer and work on the blazer!!!!!
Ok the kids and the wife are a close third :laughoutloud: the starting problem is now gone, fires right up with no hesitation at all, idles much better and of course sounds great. The next step will be the Pro comp distributer, msd 6al, and msd blaster 2 coil. I cant wait to drive it on the road, all wet from the rain today so couldnt test drive it. Here are some pics of step one. I know it aint much, but this is great for my motor skills both engine and physical, lol.

xten

03-10-2011, 04:55 PM

Way to go Gene! I thought it would be months before you could do anything like that. That kinda stuff could be a pain even if you're not hurt. Especially distributors for old farts like me! lol

Manyfire

03-10-2011, 05:25 PM

ain't don't that yet, but that #6 plug and wire behind the patriots took me almost and hour.

m.a.d.

03-10-2011, 05:58 PM

way to go gene, get out there and work that soreness out.lol

85ss

03-11-2011, 07:49 AM

Awesome Gene...

406shark

03-11-2011, 10:56 AM

Glad to see you got the new wires installed.

The nice thing about working on your own stuff is you don't have to be in a hurry.

Jeff

Manyfire

03-11-2011, 04:08 PM

Thanks Gents, cant wait to get the rest in and drive it, was gonna go out and run the wires for the MSD, rainy cold and windy. So been screwing around with my home network today trying to sync everything, always one computer that aint compatible.

Manyfire

03-14-2011, 07:15 PM

I ran it around the block today, of course i couldnt go wot, but the rear broke every time i put my foot in a little. I cant wait for the rest of the new ignition to get in, not supposed to freeze anytime soon, so I am gonna put it on the road on thursday. I had a little problem before it warmed up all the way, if you nailed it, then let off the gas and hit the gas again it would cut out, that might just be from sitting all winter also, carb may be sticking a little. or maybe the pressure regulator. she just needs a good highway run and a little tlc. After I got it up to normal operating temp it was awesome.

88LT1Blazer

03-14-2011, 07:38 PM

I see your having fun with her again!!! You better get well before you start all the foolishness!!!!

xten

03-14-2011, 09:01 PM

Looks like someone is gonna need a posi and some sticky tires! lol:stirpot:

Randy 406

03-14-2011, 09:20 PM

I like the old school valve covers on there!

Manyfire

03-14-2011, 11:11 PM

I see your having fun with her again!!! You better get well before you start all the foolishness!!!!

yeah right, lol

Manyfire

03-18-2011, 07:14 AM

Parts are supposed to be in today, woooHoooo :drummer:

Manyfire

03-18-2011, 10:31 PM

got it all in today, no spark, tested the ignition for pickup coil, not the problem, so i tried the white wire for shits and giggles, nothing, got hot 10g wire to the box, then 12g crank hot to the smaller one, you guys talked about grounds, so i tried, no cake, so in the morning i will replace the coil and see if that is it, if not, life sucks, that means the box is not working. If that is it, ill open the box and see if the fuse is blown. Its been one of those days, when i pulled the veneer off the bottom of the dash there was antifreeze dripping to the floor pan, yall know what that means, yes, 4-5 hours for a freaking heater coil. Shit is gonna get bypassed for now. I think this is the 3rd one since i put the new motor in.

Manyfire

03-19-2011, 08:36 AM

its the box, opened it up and there is a burned somthing, i aint a electrical guy, here's a pic

mytmouz

03-19-2011, 09:36 AM

That'll do it...

Randy 406

03-19-2011, 09:40 AM

Call MSD, they can repair it for very little cost.

mytmouz

03-19-2011, 09:53 AM

They started a $58 diagnostic fee first of the year, this is on top of the repairs, and, at least in Jan., applied whether they repaired it or not, I sent off an item (6al) through the local speed shop, they sent 4 items they had, 2 weeks before christmas. Repair shop was closed for the holidays, (how convenient), would get to our stuff after January 5th. invoice had 5 diagnostic charges, was $298 total, plus a 44 dollar repair fee for mine, that made it $102 for the box, I gave the speed shop $120 for shipping and boxing. None of the speed shops was repairable, so they got to give MSD $240 dollars,plus paid shipping back to the shop. MSD told them the total price, and the stuff was ready. Speed shop paid them, called me, said it would be in on Thursday according to the tracking info. I was there when UPS ran, and box of 'goodies' was opened, lol... Speed shop didn't know their junk was junk until it got back...

Manyfire

03-19-2011, 04:17 PM

I ordered a digital 6al from summit

Diabolical

03-19-2011, 04:19 PM

Is that the MSD I sold you?
It was running in my truck when I took it out.

I am an electrician.. And that resister is burnt!

If it is.. I will buy you a brand new one today through Jegs..
PLEASE.... Let me know..

Mike

EDIT.. (You posted just before me)
I will paypal you the cost of your Digital 6

Manyfire

03-19-2011, 04:32 PM

You ain't gotta buy me nothin, no telling what happened mike, lotta bad stuff happens when older stuff gets swapped. Your a rare man, thank you for trying!

Diabolical

03-19-2011, 04:38 PM

Bro.. I feel like shit.. I really want to make it right..
Electronics are sketchy.. But, If all you did was hook it up and it didn't work..
I will take responsibility.

When my motor broke the valve springs..
All I did was unhook it and put it away..
At least let me split the difference with you..

Mike

Manyfire

03-19-2011, 05:10 PM

This post is for troubleshooting only, thank you mike for being much a standup guy

Manyfire

03-20-2011, 07:14 AM

Well along with the ignition, she's going from a 600 cfm edelbrock to a 750 cfm edelbrock and few other small upgrades. Thanks Phil, peer pressure finally won, you been after me for a year to do this one!!!! I am so gonna have to do that rear Mardy, its coming!!!!!!

Manyfire

03-22-2011, 05:18 PM

Here we go, still no spark, been at it all day, but i got it narrowed down to the pickup coil, If you do the test on the purple and green wires you get spark, if you pull the distributer out and turn it bu hand you get spark, if you put the distributer in the truck no spark, i figure the pickup coil is grounding out, if i am holding it in my hand there is spark.
So I am guessing the last msd unit cooked it, who knows, who cares, I dont, i know what it is finally. Its what i get for not following exactly how to test it, lol. Directions dont say shit about pulling the unit out and turning it by hand. Not only that Summit sent me the wrong timing pointer, so I scratched my Balancer cause i didnt look at the package good. Chock this up to a day that was totally worthless. But, she'll be running tomorrow!!!!! And yes I wired the big red and little red directly to the battery to make sure I had crank hot. I need a beer

Tweeder

03-22-2011, 05:29 PM

Manyfire

03-22-2011, 08:51 PM

Dang right I'll take a beer!!!!! Just for shits and giggles i broke out the multimeter, its grounded, not much, but enough. I got somthing done, I put my new carb on, tomorrow its back to dealing with the other stuff. I'll get it

Here it is Phil, another addition, I need to put one of your business stickers under there. This build was advised by Phil $%^$ Automotive!!!!!!

Manyfire

03-23-2011, 09:07 AM

I got no motivation today with this freakin weather

Manyfire

03-23-2011, 11:44 AM

got everything put back together but the distributer, ps pump, timing pointer fixed, carb in, just waiting on the pickup coil to come in., I have everything disconnected and the battery on charge, I know she will work when I put her ear back in, lol.

mytmouz

03-23-2011, 12:25 PM

Glad you are getting the problems squared away...

85ss

03-23-2011, 02:17 PM

Glad you are getting the problems squared away...

X2...

Manyfire

03-23-2011, 06:35 PM

still no spark, I spent time on the line with MSD today, we went through a bunch of tests, he said he thinks the dist isn't compatible, i don't know, been another long day.

Manyfire

03-23-2011, 09:29 PM

I GOT IT!!!!!!!! long story short Procomp needs to do a little QA, there was a small sliver of metal under the magnet for the coil, I had to use the same magnet and ring cause the new one made contact. Thank you Mike for everything, Ill have it running here in a bit!!!!

xten

03-23-2011, 09:34 PM

Way to go Gene. Who'd a thunk???

Manyfire

03-23-2011, 10:00 PM

http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu323/manyfire/th_IMG_0465.jpg (http://s660.photobucket.com/albums/uu323/manyfire/?action=view&current=IMG_0465.mp4) Video of it starting, the timing or carb aint set But she got fire!!!!!!

xten

03-23-2011, 10:03 PM

Sounds great Gene!

deimos

03-23-2011, 10:04 PM

woot woot

Manyfire

03-24-2011, 07:40 AM

I took a pic of it last night, the metal is gone, but the indentations in the magnet are here, mind you the two pieces were the size of a piece of hair. the metal was between the pickup coil and the magnet. When i first seen it I thought it was some kind of timing mark for the coil, but i noticed the other coil didnt have it.

85ss

03-24-2011, 08:04 AM

Congrats Gene...
Sounds great!

Manyfire

03-24-2011, 05:09 PM

Here's the skinny, she runs like a raped ape mid-range, she wont hold a steady idle and when you get to the upper rpm's she cuts and sputs, Timing is at 12 and 37, but it jumps everywhere. I have tried changing out the advance springs and same thing.....Soooo I am gonna replace the distributer, there is somthing in it making noise anyhow, probably hurt it when i was takin it apart. I found this one http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330545739453&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT#ht_2888wt_1169, im just gonna buy it next week. I already bought a msd cap and rotor, so im all set for that. Im done monkeying around, time to get serious. Thank you everybody that has helped out, You guys rock!!!!!!!!

Manyfire

03-26-2011, 06:34 PM

Alright got the dist ordered, should be here later this week, went and bought the stuff i needed to complete the rear, except the dang seal of course, always gotta make another trip and a few other small things, went to harbor trash and picked up a bench grinder, mostly for polishing and sanding and went to sears and got a cut off wheel, must not have oiled the old one before i shut the garage down this winter, its always a bitch to pull a tool out and it not work, it was seized. But probably will resume work on Monday, supposed to get above freezing again and rain to clean the roads again. Wont be long and my baby will be back on the road!!!!!!!!!!!!

Manyfire

03-28-2011, 06:01 PM

here is the MSD box installed

Manyfire

04-01-2011, 12:32 PM

since the new dizzy is coming in today i pulled the old one and disassembled it to see what was wrong. well I made a little video for ya. I was looking at the original pickup coil and you can see the same problem on it. There are metal shavings all over the pickup coil itself, good reason why it wont spark.
http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu323/manyfire/th_IMG_0509.jpg (http://s660.photobucket.com/albums/uu323/manyfire/?action=view&current=IMG_0509.mp4)

Manyfire

04-01-2011, 08:35 PM

Well its alive, have a few small hicups to deal with, but she runs great!!!! Here she is firing up, have to change the carb plate and work out some other small stuff, but i love it, freakin awesome.
http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu323/manyfire/th_IMG_0514.jpg (http://s660.photobucket.com/albums/uu323/manyfire/?action=view&current=IMG_0514.mp4)

bluehair

04-05-2011, 11:01 PM

awesome man ,glad for ya nothing like the fire up feeling ?:rock:

Manyfire

04-07-2011, 06:52 AM

now that i have problems worked out it was definitely worth the time and money I had to put into it. There is definitely a huge difference over the cheap HEI I was running.

Manyfire

04-11-2011, 01:36 PM

Well, I got it running awesome now. It can still use a little tuning but I can do that at the track on saturday. Today i fixed a couple of minor things, finally got the valve covers to quit leaking out the bolt holes, (center bolt), and replaced the coolant overflow. took a buddy for a ride and he loved it. but Saturday cant come quick enough!!!!!!!