Electric problems/msd ignition

tonyd · #1 (**permalink**) 05-12-2006, 01:30 PM

I am having problems with my didtributor again, I got the new cap delivered and put it on, car started right up no problem.Waited 1 min, gave it some revs and it was all over the place rpm jumping everywhere.Something wrong!!!!
Took off the cap again and the center nipplle inside the distributor cap was damaged again, its not being scratched its burning or arking.
There is sign of black residue and dust.
Ford tech line say it is not the distributor but the msd blaster coil or the msd 6AL ignition.Neither I have had a problem with so far.
Any ideas or help would be greatly appriciated, I am trying to get it ready for Carlisle on the 19th.
What should I check!!!!!!.
The enging is a 351w crate engine

Thanks Tonyd

*13* · #2 (**permalink**) 05-12-2006, 01:42 PM

Have you called MSD? They are pretty "on the ball" about their equipment

SCOBRAC · #3 (**permalink**) 05-12-2006, 03:07 PM

The center "nipple" should not be able to arc. What is it arching to? The only thing I can imagine is you are not using the right rotor, the tab on top of most MSD rotors have a spring fit tab that is in constant touch with the rotor. There should be zero clearance for anything to arc to or from.

Which cap and rotor do you have? is it the old style female cap, about 3" across? If it is it is actually a chebbie cap. Go to the local auto parts store and get another one. Make sure the tab on the rotor is touching the electrode on the coil terminal, bend it up slighlty if there is any question, the cap will just push it into proper position.

If the cap is a larger late model you might find one at a local SCK, Kragen or Autozone. Either way the tab needs to touch the electrode.

One min. seems seems like it wouldn't be enough to really damage the cap. Are we talking melted plastic or just a black carbon dust? I had a coil wire come loose at the coil and it took an hour or so to damage the plastic on the coil. It still worked but the plastic at the tip was pretty gnarled. You can probably adjust the tab and clean up the cap with some brake cleaner or mild solvent.

Good Luck!

rblong · #4 (**permalink**) 05-12-2006, 04:29 PM

If you don't have any REAL damage to the cap I would be looking at the coil. Not 2 month ago I had the same thing, but no damage to the cap. I did replace the cap (because it has some light dust and showed wear) before I found real problem, but I would start the car and all was ok for a couple minuted tops, then everything went to crap and it finally would quit running. Let it sit a day, start it up and same thing. Someone on the site told me their story about the coil, went and picked one up and all have been fixed since.

Just a thought since I changed a lot of parts till I found the right one. BTW - MSD told me it was the pickup - WRONG!

Bruce

Goober · #5 (**permalink**) 05-12-2006, 04:50 PM

Definately make sure the center "nipple" is touching tthe rotor clip. You don't want it arcing. The proper rotor is Accel # A130404 for a 59 Series Ford distributor. It is also a crap brown color as discussed in the the last thread. I agree with Bruce, probably not the pickup and could be a coil issue. Try another Blaster 2/3 coil. Make sure the coil wire is in good shape. The blaster 2 coil is a female plug in type and the 3 series is the male pin up version.

Again, I have a spare rotor is you get in a bind.
Mark