I think another MSD box died on me. Considering points. Frustrated

[marcocsx3121]

Electronic ignition boxes are prone to heat failure. I had two in a row die that were mounted on the inner fender of my long gone supercharged '94 Camaro. I finally placed an insulating block between box number three and the fender, and I was good to go, or at least until I barrel rolled the thing.

[nymathboy]

I mounted the MSD box above the passenger footwell. Heat may have been a factor since we (a lot of classic cars) were in a line waiting to go around the track. My fan came on at 160 and ran like a champ for what it's worth.

My car also vibrates with the best of them which is actually something that I like.

Rather than trying to make my car work with the MSD box and hope that it doesn't die a third time, I'd rather get something that I don't have to worry about.

Here is how I wired up the MSD box:
351w is not starting. Help. Here is what I have tried.

It is on page 1 at the end of the page.

I have heard a lot of good things about the Pertroinx dizzy and I willing to spend some more money if the problem is solved and there is a decent benefit to the product.

[RICK LAKE]

nymathboy First off any chance of getting a first name?? If you have spark at the coil than the problem is in the distributor. Either the rotor is not having contact with the center pile in the cap or the center pile in the cap is burnt out or broken off. This is the main problem with MSD caps and rotors. Some of the guys have gone to stock caps and rotors with metal center contacts. The carbon just breaks or burns over time. As far the the MSD box, get it out from under the hood. I mount mine to the under side of the glove box with my FI ECU brain. Have plenty of cool air to control heat of these brains.
Next wiring, Have 1 ground going to the MSD box (one of the 4 mount bolts) to chassic frame ground. Make sure you have 2-3 grounds on the car from the battery to chassic ground, from frame to motor (2)and direct ground to battery from MSD. 10 gauge wire min. Make sure that there is no paint on these spots for a good contact. Cover over with a little black grease to keep mcontact from rusting. Location of coil and what kind you have?? I know oil filled coils look correct on the motor, this is a POOR location and design. Also if the coil is mounted horizontal. This causes the windings in the coil to over heat because only half are in oil the rest are cooled by splash or mist. Vertical mounting is better but still have a vibration of the motor shaking the coil. Again not good. If the msd is new within a year or 2, call MSD tech, explain what happened, how upset you feel about having your car towed home. What they can do to help fix this problem. Most of the time they will repair the unit for cost of shipping. You get more help with being nice than starting the screaming thing and nasty root.
Check rotor and cap first, make sure of contact of rotor is pushing on center of cap. It should also be sticking out of the center a little if flat, pile is gone or burnt out. Rick L.

[nymathboy]

Tim is my first name.

The dizzy is a Ford that came from the factory with the engine. I checked it the first time the car died and it wasn't the problem. I'll check it again when I get the chance. It started raining cats, dogs and then cows over in this area so I put it off until another day.

The only thing MSD on my car is the 6AL box. I might be jumping to conclusions to assume the MSD box is the problem since I haven't had a chance yet this time around to check it. It is about a week old. My mechanic mounted the box in the same position that I had it before.

My coil is mounted half way between vertical and horizontal. It is about 3 weeks old.

The plugs are new. The plug wires are about a year old.

When I tested the coil with my test light it blew out the bulb in it so I have to make a trip to the nearby city to get another one.

I'm not mad at all. Frustrated maybe but not mad. I do want to make progress in solving this problem so that it doesn't happen while I'm on a four lane interstate.

So when I get a little time, I will check the mounts for the box, check the dizzy, check the box and a few other things. I will get back to you guys.

[Dwight]

Tim have your alternator check by shop that rebuilds or works on them, Not Auto Zone or other parts stores.

We had one box burned by the alternator. MSD rebuild it for $80.

Dwight

[patrickt]

If you did manage to fry two MSD boxes that fast then I'm betting Dwight's right and your alternator is blasting it. You can burn up an MSD box with a jump start if you're not careful (and even if you are). That's why the MSD tech support people recommend that you install their big-ass capacitor right before the box to help shield it from voltage variances.