Another HEI Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Gramp'sGold70K20 · 06-15-2005, 11:27 PM

PLEASE HELP!!

I just can't figure this one out. I have a brand new battery, alternator, and MSD HEI (Model 8365) that I installed in March. I was driving to work and the truck just died as if I turned the ignition off. The first thing I replace was the coil. It started right up and I thought the problem was solved. After about fifteen minutes at idle, the truck just died. No spark going to the plugs. I waited about 2 hours (because I was frustrated) and started her up again. The same thing happened after about 5 minutes. It seems that as soon as the engine warms up, I loose the ignition. Do I have a bad circuit board in the distributor? I don't know what else to check. Any suggestions? I am thinking about taking this model back to the dealer and replacing it with model 8360. The 8365 was a little too big and came real close to the firewall. I think I like the looks of the smaller unit with the coil mounted on the side anyway.

Signed,

68haywagon · 06-16-2005, 12:03 AM

Did you replace the original wire from the firewall to the distributer? I know the original cuts down voltage after the truck is started to preserve points on a points ignition. I replaced mine with 12g wire.

Dunno if this helps.

Mike

Gramp'sGold70K20 · 06-16-2005, 12:26 AM

I will replace it in the morning. Looked at the FAQ thread on HEI too. I will follow the schematic posted. Thanks for the input. I hope that is the problem. Why would the problem creep up now rather then when I installed it a few months ago? I will let you know if this cured it. Is there anything else I may have overlooked?

boraxman · 06-16-2005, 12:43 AM

Module? However I think when they go they go.

72K10 · 06-16-2005, 09:37 AM

Sounds like the ignition module. They sometimes go slow, sometimes drop dead. The ones that went out on me went slow, much like what you're describing. I think they run around $25 and are pretty easy to replace.

junkyardjohn · 06-16-2005, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gramp'sGold70K20

I will replace it in the morning. Looked at the FAQ thread on HEI too. I will follow the schematic posted. Thanks for the input. I hope that is the problem. Why would the problem creep up now rather then when I installed it a few months ago? I will let you know if this cured it. Is there anything else I may have overlooked?

WHEN YOU INSTALLED IT A FEW MONTHS AGO EVERYTHING (CAP,ROTOR, PLUGS, WIRES, ALT. ECT. ECT.) WAS BRAND NEW & WORKING AT 100 % . NOW A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER, EVERYTHING IS WORN A LITTLE & THE VOLTAGE DROP IS QUITE NOTICABLE. THE ORIGINAL WIRE HAS A RESISTER IN-LINE, DROPPING THE VOLTAGE TO ABOUT 9 VOLTS. MAYBE THIS ISN'T YOUR PROBLEM AT ALL, BUT IT'S THE FIRST THING I'D CHECK. EVERY MODUAL THAT I'VE EVER HAD GO OUT ON ME, JUST COMPLETELY & PERMANATLY QUIT. JOHN

GlennBrittain · 06-16-2005, 01:02 PM

I had exactly the same problem. Installed a new MSD Pro Billet dist. ran fine for two months then would not start. I had 12v on the orininal wire, the white one, and 9 volts when turning the starter over. After changing out the dist. I found the white wire melted under a tape wrapped around multiple wires. One stand was still making continuity allowing for the voltage bu not enough amp's. I repaired the white wire, same thing happened again. I ran the 12g wire to a ingnition connection on the fuse block, problem solved. I also put in a inline fuse.

Gramp'sGold70K20 · 06-16-2005, 05:38 PM

I insalled the new 12g wire with the inline fuse into my spare ignition slot on the fuse panel. Fired right up and stayed running!!! You people are great!! I don't know what I would have done without this board. Thank you everyone!

68haywagon · 06-16-2005, 05:41 PM

I'm glad it worked out.

Mike

junkyardjohn · 06-16-2005, 05:46 PM

Hey Gramps.... Glad You Got Your Truck Running Right. I Went To High School In South Lyon, & Before That I Lived In Plymouth.(The Next Small Town In MI.) This Was Along Time Ago. I Graduated In 1976. Small World.

John

GMC AMI · 06-16-2005, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junkyardjohn

Hey Gramps.... Glad You Got Your Truck Running Right. I Went To High School In South Lyon, & Before That I Lived In Plymouth. This Was Along Time Ago. I Graduated In 1976. Small World.

John

1976 was a good year to leave school!

Gramp'sGold70K20 · 06-16-2005, 09:40 PM

Thanks again everyone!! It's good to be driving again instead of being stuck on the side of the road!

06-15-2005, 11:27 PM	#1
Gramp'sGold70K20 New Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Northville, MI Posts: 38	Another HEI Question PLEASE HELP!! I just can't figure this one out. I have a brand new battery, alternator, and MSD HEI (Model 8365) that I installed in March. I was driving to work and the truck just died as if I turned the ignition off. The first thing I replace was the coil. It started right up and I thought the problem was solved. After about fifteen minutes at idle, the truck just died. No spark going to the plugs. I waited about 2 hours (because I was frustrated) and started her up again. The same thing happened after about 5 minutes. It seems that as soon as the engine warms up, I loose the ignition. Do I have a bad circuit board in the distributor? I don't know what else to check. Any suggestions? I am thinking about taking this model back to the dealer and replacing it with model 8360. The 8365 was a little too big and came real close to the firewall. I think I like the looks of the smaller unit with the coil mounted on the side anyway. Signed,

06-16-2005, 12:03 AM	#2
68haywagon I'm watching you! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Levittown, PA Posts: 1,822	Did you replace the original wire from the firewall to the distributer? I know the original cuts down voltage after the truck is started to preserve points on a points ignition. I replaced mine with 12g wire. Dunno if this helps. Mike __________________ 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 4WD 1993 Chevrolet C-1500 W/T - Blue - 4.3L V-6, 4 speed auto - Dad's (RIP) 1992 Chevrolet S10 - LS swap project 1968 Chevrolet C-10 longbed fleetside - sold

06-16-2005, 12:43 AM	#4
boraxman Keepin an eye out Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: So.Cal Posts: 3,920	Module? However I think when they go they go. __________________ 1970 Chevy C10 SWB 5.3 1996 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 2007 Vespa GTS 250 Scooter ZIP 91351

06-16-2005, 09:37 AM	#5
72K10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: New York Posts: 288	Sounds like the ignition module. They sometimes go slow, sometimes drop dead. The ones that went out on me went slow, much like what you're describing. I think they run around $25 and are pretty easy to replace. __________________ RLTW 70C10 72K10 72K10 Cheyenne 72C10 Cheyenne Super

06-16-2005, 05:41 PM	#9
68haywagon I'm watching you! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Levittown, PA Posts: 1,822	I'm glad it worked out. Mike __________________ 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 4WD 1993 Chevrolet C-1500 W/T - Blue - 4.3L V-6, 4 speed auto - Dad's (RIP) 1992 Chevrolet S10 - LS swap project 1968 Chevrolet C-10 longbed fleetside - sold

06-16-2005, 12:26 AM	#3
Gramp'sGold70K20 New Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Northville, MI Posts: 38	I will replace it in the morning. Looked at the FAQ thread on HEI too. I will follow the schematic posted. Thanks for the input. I hope that is the problem. Why would the problem creep up now rather then when I installed it a few months ago? I will let you know if this cured it. Is there anything else I may have overlooked?

06-16-2005, 01:02 PM	#7
GlennBrittain Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Panola County Texas Posts: 401	I had exactly the same problem. Installed a new MSD Pro Billet dist. ran fine for two months then would not start. I had 12v on the orininal wire, the white one, and 9 volts when turning the starter over. After changing out the dist. I found the white wire melted under a tape wrapped around multiple wires. One stand was still making continuity allowing for the voltage bu not enough amp's. I repaired the white wire, same thing happened again. I ran the 12g wire to a ingnition connection on the fuse block, problem solved. I also put in a inline fuse.

06-16-2005, 05:38 PM	#8
Gramp'sGold70K20 New Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Northville, MI Posts: 38	I insalled the new 12g wire with the inline fuse into my spare ignition slot on the fuse panel. Fired right up and stayed running!!! You people are great!! I don't know what I would have done without this board. Thank you everyone!

06-16-2005, 05:46 PM	#10
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,425	Hey Gramps.... Glad You Got Your Truck Running Right. I Went To High School In South Lyon, & Before That I Lived In Plymouth.(The Next Small Town In MI.) This Was Along Time Ago. I Graduated In 1976. Small World. John __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST Last edited by junkyardjohn; 06-16-2005 at 07:00 PM.

06-16-2005, 09:40 PM	#12
Gramp'sGold70K20 New Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Northville, MI Posts: 38	Thanks again everyone!! It's good to be driving again instead of being stuck on the side of the road!



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