Fingers crossed!

UB DRMNG · #1 (**permalink**) 07-14-2010, 10:25 AM

Hey there, it's been a long time!

I thought I would post an update of what has been happening with me and the car since last summer.

Last August My father passed away on the day you all were heading down to Sonoma for the GTG in the square. I was not planning on going because the car would not go that far without throwing a fit. For those that don't remember it was having a problem when it warmed up on hotter days. Some may remember me talking about changing the fuel pump and finding that the gas tank also had a loose baffle also needing changing. I thought that the fuel pump was the problem because I drove the car 400 - 500 miles without a sign of the problem. Followed Maurice through the foothills on one after breakfast drive... no problem. Then on the next drive returning from the golf course breakfast the problem returned.

I took the car to Gary Cook and he didn't have a clue but he said that he has seen a lot of ignition modules go out on similar engines, so we changed it and I went for a ride on a hot morning. About 45 minutes into the ride it started acting up, wanting to die and having a rough idle. I pulled over and it kept idling rough.

A little history-This happened once before where I was able to keep it running, sort of, and look under the hood. The fuel pressure gauge on the rail was good, so It wasn't the fuel. Thinking it must be electrical I bought a can of component freeze and carried it in the car until I could duplicate the problem.

Back to present-Bingo this was my chance! I decided to shoot the freeze on the MSD box since the ignition module on the distributor was brand new and probably was not the problem. Very shortly after shooting the MSD the idle began jumping all around for a few seconds then began to smooth out... so I shot it a bunch more til it was cold to the touch and drove home, about another half hour, without a hitch! Thinking this might be the source of the problem I bought another MSD system and last Monday installed it, only this time it is relocated under the dash instead of in the engine compartment... It doesn't look as cool but maybe it will run cool!

After the install I went for a ride. It was 3:30 to 5:00PM. It was not the hottest day (too warm for a Cobra) but it was warmer than most times when the pesky problem has shown up, so once again I have my fingers crossed that I have it fixed.

Anyway that's where I'm at, hope to see you guys again soon... with a car that runs reliably!

GT390FE · #2 (**permalink**) 07-14-2010, 12:59 PM

Hey Ray good to hear from you. Was wondering what happened to you and your car

it'sbeen a long time. I've heard MSD box's having heat related issues in the past so hope you finally found the problem with a new MSD box and relocating it under the dash. See you soon

Dan

UB DRMNG · #3 (**permalink**) 07-14-2010, 01:47 PM

Thanks Dan.

I can't wait to see your car. Last time I saw it was when it was in the body off/go kart stage of the build.

Hi to Karen!

decooney · #4 (**permalink**) 07-14-2010, 07:52 PM

Ray,

FYI: Looking at several threads and replies from MSD Techs and customers going over this issue shows a mix of conflicting recommendations over the past 3-4 years. If you poke around on the internet, many customers argue to NEVER install an MSD box in a hot engine compartment or the heat will eventually degrade the box, internals, and perform worse over time. I'd have to agree, a hot engine compartment in Sac on a hot summer day is brutal on anything under the hood.

More common is an MSD Tech stating to never mount the MSD box closer than 4" to exhaust headers, manifolds, or hot intake manifolds too. I mounted mine under my glovebox day-1 for these reasons. Some customers send in photos asking it its "okay to mount it here or there..." for these reasons then followed by a tech indicating if its in a good location or not.

Where was it mounted before in proximity to hot engine/exhaust parts?

pgermond · #5 (**permalink**) 07-14-2010, 09:55 PM

Here is the best place for an MSD box, no heat or dirt issues - IMHO (note fuse panel to the left of steering column for easy).

wanab5150 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-14-2010, 10:40 PM

Ray, I think you have a blower issue after hearing it earlier at Red Robin. I think you should sell it to somebody with a Roush motor.

UB DRMNG · #7 (**permalink**) 07-14-2010, 10:59 PM

Duane,

The MSD was on the firewall directly behind the trick Flow intake manifold, probably 5-6 inches away. Judging by how the wiring was run and tucked away I am pretty certain it was installed with body off as an original component.

I looked over the options and there was a nice large piece of bare aluminum on the Passenger side of the firewall exactly where Phil's picture shows his, that's the new location.

Even with it in the passenger compartment I felt it after running for 1.5 hrs and it was very warm, Not hot as per electronic specs as I was able to hold on to it for over 10 seconds without burning flesh!

Tom,

Know any body that would want it?

Hahaha!
I wonder if you can somehow run a vortech with a carb