[FFRCobraMike]

MSD is famous for heat issues in both the 6al box and the coil. My experience with their coils was a brand new out of the box coil being bad out of the box. However, my next coil has lasted 6 years. So i guess it is just quality control. As for the 6AL box, NEVER put it under the hood of a Cobra. They have a very small engine compartment vs. engine size and tend to get very hot. It is always recommended to place it under the dash where it is not subjected to the engine heat. Since Cobra engine compartments are typically much hotter than say a 60's muscle car, perhaps painting it held in extra heat. More likely though it was just a defective coil. Mine is mounted exactly where yours is and without a spacer. As I said it has functioned just fine for 6 years. Much of American parts are now made in China. Comp Cams is a perfect example. I bought one thinking it was a made in USA part. It failed dramatically in 150 miles costing me $5K to repair the engine which Comp refused to cover any part of. They did not even cover the cost of a new cam. I then found out the cam was made in China.