MSD Blaster 2 coil exploded

[bermblaster41]

I was driving my cobra the other day with cool temps at low speeds. I heard a loud bang under the hood and engine died. Raised the hood and found top of my coil lifted about 1 inch from the coil body. My engine compartment was covered with this nasty smelling coil oil. I talked to MSD and they said if the coil wasn't mounted vertical this would cause the coil to come apart. My coil was mounted at about a 45 degree angle. MSD said the resin filled coils can be mounted in any position. Just thought I would pass this on to you guys that have oil filled coils to prevent a breakdown and a nasty mess to clean up. Hope this helps Berm

[Snakebit]

Crap made in Mexico thanks to NAFTA!

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by bermblaster41

I heard a loud bang under the hood and engine died. Raised the hood and found top of my coil lifted about 1 inch from the coil body.

They usually just short out, but I have seen 'em explode before (once, maybe twice in 30+ years) Replace it with the "hi-vibration" MSD coil. AND, you should also double check that the positive side of the coil is not live when you have your key off. Just stick a VOM on the positive side of the coil and measure the voltage with the ignition key off (it should be zero).

[FIA Mike]

Same thing happen to my 1965 GT350 mustnag track car. Oil everywhere on top of the motor. Now I use an epoxy core coil and not oil filled coil.

FIA Mike

[MaSnaka]

My coil (oil filled) has been mounted sideways for several years now. No problems yet. Thanks for the heads up though. I shall be changing positions or coils, just not sure which is easier at the moment.

John

[bermblaster41]

I checked and there is no voltage at positive side of coil with key off. Funny thing about the coil that blew was made in usa and the replacement coil {identical} was made in china. As luck would have it I was able to get an over the counter warranty. I will be upgrading to a resin filled coil over the winter. Berm

[RICK LAKE]

bermblaster41 Berm Msd tech will give you 5 different answers to the same question. I have learned this the hard way more than once. I had the same issues with Accel back in the 70's. I blew up 2 oil filled stock coils and a Super coil. They said this, Don't mount and oil filled coil on anything other than a vertial position. Don't mount the coil on the motor because of vibrations. Mounting on the side half of the coil gets no oil to cool the windings and with a high output charging system will cook the oil until it explodes. Same thing with not running a resistor wire to the coil. Some coils need them some can get buy without them. Each brand is a different hookup. Since wiring the super coil on my jeep, 28 years and still fires up. It just doesn't kill you like the newer MSD HVC Coil does. It takes about 3 days to get the cooked taste out of you mouth and the numbness to leave your finger. Rick L.

[WildBill3]

Rick do I smell burnt hair???

[RICK LAKE]

WillBill3 Not burnt but smoken. I got my curl back. On the way out the door, See you guys Tuesday. Rick

[Steve Gallegos]

need ideas on why my MSD blaster 2 coil fried, it is 6yrs old. After a drive, extremely hot day, I parked the car in the garage. Next day tried to start it, No spark. Checked the coil resistance, no ohms. looked down the hole in the top and the whole inside was black. Bought another coil put the same coil wire on, no spark. Pulled on the coil wire attached to the boot on the coil. the tip was fried also. Going to replace it on Saturday. I wrapped the new coil in heat wrapping to protect it. Anyone have any ideas why the coil would fry

[Ron61]

Now you know why they called them Blaster Coils. I have never had any luck with anything made by MSD, yet other people say theirs last for years. I changed out everything but one MSD distributor and am thinking of getting rid of it and getting a Mallory electronic one like I have used in the other cars.

Ron

[RICK LAKE]

Old thread, gave reason for problem back in 08. see above responce. Rick L.

[BAsque1]

I swear by my MSD products to date, had them in all my cars, Cobra included no problems. How do you know that they are oil filled? my model states it can be mounted in any direction, just for s....t and giggles I will reposition it asap to the vertical position. I am anal about a clean engine bay.
Lou (basque1)

[Jaydee]

I have always used the Accel 140001 supercoil, and never a problem. They are huge with lots of oil cooling. Don't know if they have to be mounted vertical? Most oil filled coils have a tiny slot near the top edge for the oil to blow out. Face this away from the engine. We had an old Volvo in the workshop with a tar filled coil. When that blew, hot tar went over everything, then hardened when it cooled. What a mess to clean up.
JD

[olddog]

Originally Posted by Steve Gallegos

I wrapped the new coil in heat wrapping to protect it. :

I would remove the insulation. A coil is a transformer. It internally generates heat (it is not 100% efficient). If you insulate it, you will prevent it from cooling, resulting in it getting hotter than it will without the insulation.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by RICK LAKE

Old thread, gave reason for problem back in 08. see above responce. Rick L.

I always wonder what people are thinking when they dig up 4+ year old posts instead of starting a fresh one of their own.

This one last posted on 10-06-2008