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: 3,921	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: 6,427	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!



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.