Superperformance - Having engine trouble - need help

DownTown · #1 (**permalink**) 07-26-2018, 12:04 PM

So I was out driving yesterday after the car sat for nearly a week and the car ran fine for 20 - 30 minutes. I stopped and started it twice and then on my way home it just loss power. So after towing it home, I tried to start it. All it does is crank but it seems as though I don't have any spark to kick it over. Fuel is pumping to the carbs, so I know I have fuel, it's just dropped dead on spark. I have all electric devices working and battery is well above 14 amps, headlights work, fans work, blinkers, brake lights, etc.

I just need some insight on where to start looking to problem solve this.

Roush 427 sideoiler, with MSD distributor cap. I checked all the spark plugs are tight and in place and the distributor cap is tight. All battery cables are tight, all electrical connections to the Holey Carbs is hooked up.

DownTown

1966Snaake · #2 (**permalink**) 07-26-2018, 12:21 PM

My first guess is a bad MSD (Might Shut Down) module. I personally do not own one, but fellow drivers have found themselves on foot because of this.

patrickt · #3 (**permalink**) 07-26-2018, 12:25 PM

MSD units are very easy to test to see if they are making a spark. Do that first: https://www.msdperformance.com/suppo...ng_techniques/ That's the first step. If you're making a spark from the coil, then the next step is see if you're getting sparks at the spark plugs, but first things first.

DownTown · #4 (**permalink**) 07-26-2018, 01:02 PM

Alright let me check there first and get back to you guys, thanks for the insight.

pgermond · #5 (**permalink**) 07-26-2018, 01:56 PM

Dollars to donuts its the magnetic pickup.

tortuga · #6 (**permalink**) 07-26-2018, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgermond

Dollars to donuts its the magnetic pickup.

I had one that looked like it had been on the sea floor since the war...

I pull the cap periodicall and check mine now...

pgermond · #7 (**permalink**) 07-26-2018, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tortuga

I had one that looked like it had been on the sea floor since the war...

I pull the cap periodicall and check mine now...

They go without warning. I've replaced two and carry on in the trunk.

Eric 1151 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-26-2018, 06:49 PM

Give me a call. I'm in New Braunfels. (309) 838-2818 Eric

Blas · #9 (**permalink**) 07-26-2018, 07:19 PM

Yes, start with the Mag Pickup. If you have a really old style cap it did not have a vent. The newer style caps do. As long as it turns over and you have lighting and such your battery ground connection should be ok.
Blas

patrickt · #10 (**permalink**) 07-27-2018, 07:53 AM

DownTown -- an MSD no spark condition is as easy to diagnose as a table lamp that won't light up. Yes, it's really that easy. It's the intermittent problem that is a PITA -- you can figure this one out, and you can fix it.

twobjshelbys · #11 (**permalink**) 07-27-2018, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

DownTown -- an MSD no spark condition is as easy to diagnose as a table lamp that won't light up. Yes, it's really that easy. It's the intermittent problem that is a PITA -- you can figure this one out, and you can fix it.

I agree. As a first step it will be much easier to verify that the MSD box is working than to try to blame the magnetic pickup. 2 minutes and you'll know.

I can tell you from experience that Cobras cars eat MSD boxes like the real snakes eat mice.

DownTown · #12 (**permalink**) 07-27-2018, 11:05 AM

Ok, so being well green to car mechanics and wanting to learn. I dug around under the hood and did not find a MSD box. I followed the center cable off of the MSD distributor cap to a black cylinder device that is called a "BLASTER - Vibration Coil" and that is mounted on the passenger side front wheel fender well.

Open to any ideas or thoughts on this device, should I keep it or go to the MSD box?

I believe this may be the problem. I am mostly by my self so kind of hard to test if I have spark under the hood and turn the ignition at the same time. So I will have a buddy come help me tomorrow and see if I can start to figure things out.

I know there not complicated engines mostly spark and fuel so this shouldn't (hopefully) be this big of a deal to diagnose.

patrickt · #13 (**permalink**) 07-27-2018, 11:08 AM

Well, if it's an MSD system then the box has got to be somewhere.

Try looking up under the dash directly above where the passenger puts his feet. Before we start testing it, we want to make sure that it's really there....

pgermond · #14 (**permalink**) 07-27-2018, 12:08 PM

That is my suggestion also - behind the dash. Follow the wires from the distributor.

cycleguy55 · #15 (**permalink**) 07-27-2018, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgermond

That is my suggestion also - behind the dash. Follow the wires from the distributor.

Agreed - follow the low voltage trigger wires from the sensor / pickup in the distributor to wherever the box / control module is located.

Jim Vander Wal · #16 (**permalink**) 07-27-2018, 03:50 PM

Downtown,

You don't indicate your chassis number, would help.

An ignition box (MSD or otherwise) is usually mounted in the engine compartment on top of the passenger side foot box or in the passenger side foot box forward of the dash.

In case you don't know the box is about the size of a hardcover book, can't hardly miss it and it won't fit behind the dash, or it least I can't imagine getting one in there.

The ignition system does not need the ignition box, it will run with the supplied Superformance wiring.

Cheap plug - order a wiring diagram from Blas, a few post before this. Best investment you'll make for your car.

Jim

patrickt · #17 (**permalink**) 07-27-2018, 03:59 PM

You really can't miss it. Here's a pic of mine, which is tucked neatly under the passenger side of the dash. Of course, I ain't got no SPF....

Note the capacitor. Everyone with an MSD unit should have one.

RockBit · #18 (**permalink**) 07-27-2018, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Note the capacitor. Everyone with an MSD unit should have one.

Patrick - what does the capacitor do?

patrickt · #19 (**permalink**) 07-27-2018, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockBit

Patrick - what does the capacitor do?

The capacitor is installed "across" the positive and negative feeds to the MSD box. If it was just a wire it would be "short-circuiting" the two wires. But, it's a capacitor, so once it reaches its fully charged state it stops the direct current going across it but continues to act as a "shock absorber" for direct current voltage spikes, thus protecting the MSD box from them. Plus, if your alternator is leaking AC current out, a capacitor across the lines acts as a short cut for the AC to pass right through and head back home without ever going in to the MSD box to help muck up the electronics.

RockBit · #20 (**permalink**) 07-27-2018, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

The capacitor is installed "across" the positive and negative feeds to the MSD box. If it was just a wire it would be "short-circuiting" the two wires. But, it's a capacitor, so once it reaches its fully charged state it stops the direct current going across it but continues to act as a "shock absorber" for direct current voltage spikes, thus protecting the MSD box from them. Plus, if your alternator is leaking AC current out, a capacitor across the lines acts as a short cut for the AC to pass right through and head back home without ever going in to the MSD box to help muck up the electronics.

Great explanation. Thanks. I’ll put one on mine.