MSD Distributor Problem - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**El Jay** · 01-31-2009, 07:33 PM

I have a complete MSD ignition system on my '69 (350).

A little over a year ago it took to running real crappy, real fast.
I pulled the distributor cap and the "carbon" button in the middle was gone, so I replaced the cap & rotor.
Coming home from the "NorCal Mini-meet" in Rohnert Park 2 weeks ago, I picked up a little miss.
I finally got around to looking at things today, and, the "carbon" button is gone.

The distributor probably has less the 10K miles on it.

Has anybody else ever experienced such a problem?

Any comments, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance guys & gals.

Larry

P.S. I posted this here because there is probably more traffic. And even though it's an electrical part, it seems to be more of a "mechanical" problem

**PICKMUP** · 02-01-2009, 12:31 AM

Talk to MSD.
Put in a stock GM HEI (inexpensive) and see if it works OK.
Maybe replace the center button with one of the low resistance parts. I think some coils create too much heat.

**El Jay** · 02-01-2009, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PICKMUP

Talk to MSD.
Put in a stock GM HEI (inexpensive) and see if it works OK.
Maybe replace the center button with one of the low resistance parts. I think some coils create too much heat.

Thanks for the advice.
I'll see if I can get through to MSD on Mon.

Except for the spark plugs (Accell "shorties") the whole rest on the system in MSD, so I'd think that things were pretty much "matched."

thanks again.

L.J.

Senator350 · 02-01-2009, 09:55 AM

< accel shorties, msd dizzy, wires, and coil. subscribed.

i have called MSD and been real dissapointed with their tech service. u might wanna call local race shop. or even un-local. pm me for helpful guy's #s.

**El Jay** · 02-01-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senator350

< accel shorties, msd dizzy, wires, and coil. subscribed.

i have called MSD and been real dissapointed with their tech service. u might wanna call local race shop. or even un-local. pm me for helpful guy's #s.

I've heard that about MSD. That's why I came here 1st.
If things don't go well tomorrow, I may just give you a holler.

Thanx.

what is the heat range on the plugs?.... whats the gap set at? lastly, make sure you have the rotor seated all the way down. (dumb one, I know, but dont ask how I know)
Jason

I don't know the heat range.
.045 on the gap, if IIRC. It's been nearly 2 1/2 years since I installed everything. The truck just doesn't get a whole lot of miles.

Having this happen once would be a fluke; twice, I'm thinking there may be something wrong in/with the distributor.

Thanx for you input. And I won't ask.

Larry

67_C-30 · 02-01-2009, 04:00 PM

When you say complete MSD ignition do you mean a MSD CDI ignition box with a MSD distributor and MSD remote coil, or do you have a HEI style MSD distributor with an MSD top mounted coil?

Jayss109 · 02-01-2009, 12:42 PM

what is the heat range on the plugs?.... whats the gap set at? lastly, make sure you have the rotor seated all the way down. (dumb one, I know, but dont ask how I know)
Jason

01-31-2009, 07:33 PM	#1
El Jay Gone to greener pastures Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gateway to the Delta Posts: 7,354	MSD Distributor Problem I have a complete MSD ignition system on my '69 (350). A little over a year ago it took to running real crappy, real fast. I pulled the distributor cap and the "carbon" button in the middle was gone, so I replaced the cap & rotor. Coming home from the "NorCal Mini-meet" in Rohnert Park 2 weeks ago, I picked up a little miss. I finally got around to looking at things today, and, the "carbon" button is gone. The distributor probably has less the 10K miles on it. Has anybody else ever experienced such a problem? Any comments, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance guys & gals. Larry P.S. I posted this here because there is probably more traffic. And even though it's an electrical part, it seems to be more of a "mechanical" problem __________________ '69 Chevy 1/2 T LWB Stepper: Daily Beater '72 GMC 3/4 T Fleet: Another Daily Beater '72 Plymouth Gran Coupe: ? "Ah women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent." Friedrich Nietzsche "Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day." Harry S. Truman GUN CONTROL: Never having to say, "I missed you." Always fire two warning shots into your attacker's chest area before putting a bullet between his eyes. Paraphrased from Louis Awerbuck Last edited by El Jay; 02-01-2009 at 03:16 PM. Reason: P.S.

02-01-2009, 12:31 AM	#2
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,158	Re: MSD Distributor Problem Talk to MSD. Put in a stock GM HEI (inexpensive) and see if it works OK. Maybe replace the center button with one of the low resistance parts. I think some coils create too much heat.

02-01-2009, 09:55 AM	#4
Senator350 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 522	Re: MSD Distributor Problem < accel shorties, msd dizzy, wires, and coil. subscribed. i have called MSD and been real dissapointed with their tech service. u might wanna call local race shop. or even un-local. pm me for helpful guy's #s. __________________ RN U OVR Last edited by Senator350; 02-01-2009 at 09:57 AM.

02-01-2009, 04:00 PM	#6
67_C-30 I have a radical idea! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sweet Home Alabama! Posts: 6,513	Re: MSD Distributor Problem When you say complete MSD ignition do you mean a MSD CDI ignition box with a MSD distributor and MSD remote coil, or do you have a HEI style MSD distributor with an MSD top mounted coil? __________________ '67 C-30 Dually Pickup 6.2 Turbo Diesel, NP435 ‘72 C-10 SWB , 350 4bbl, TH350 '69 C-10 SWB , 250 L6, 3 OTT '69 GMC C3500, dump truck, 351 V6, NP435 '84 M1009 CUCV Military Blazer 67 C-30 Turbodiesel build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=254096 My trucks http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/d...ediafilter=all Member of the 1-Ton Club! Last edited by 67_C-30; 02-01-2009 at 04:04 PM.

02-01-2009, 12:42 PM	#7
Jayss109 Active Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 235	Re: MSD Distributor Problem what is the heat range on the plugs?.... whats the gap set at? lastly, make sure you have the rotor seated all the way down. (dumb one, I know, but dont ask how I know) Jason __________________ Cadillac Powered

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