Guest zfan Posted August 28, 2005 Share Posted August 28, 2005 I have a stroked sbc 385 that runs an all MSD ignition system. I just got my motor back together again and ran into a possible serious problem. The car runs great at low rpm's but with a timing light on her and as I raise the rpms to approx. 3k you can see the timing start to go all over the place. Real jumpy. Has anyone else run into this problem with MSD? I just replaced my 6A about 10-12 months ago and have maybe 1500 miles on the new 6AL. My mechanic buddy said not to drive it as I might cause serious damage to the motor. He says MSD SUCKS. He said to either send it back to MSD or go Crane Fireball as he doesn't trust MSD products. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastzcars Posted August 28, 2005 Share Posted August 28, 2005 what Model distributor are you running? I think we need more info on the components you have to help you out. It could be the dist. pickup module. or a loose connection to the MSD box. And you buddy. is right by telling you not to drive it until you can sort this timing issue out. You said you just got the motor back together, did you happen to torque down the timming chain and sprocket to spec's. I always use some blue locktite on the cam sprocket bolt's just to make sure the sprocket stay's put. Some times and really worn out timing chain can do what you discribe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_hunt Posted August 28, 2005 Share Posted August 28, 2005 Yeah, I had that same problem once, it turned out to be a loose wire that was causing mine. I have two MSD 7 series and I love em. I'd check the easy stuff first, like connections. Could be distributor gear if it's bronze, could be the pickup is going out. Need more info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zfan Posted August 28, 2005 Share Posted August 28, 2005 New high dollar billet roller timing chain set with blue loctite on threads. Distributor is a MSD mechanical advance type with 17 degree bushing in it. I sent it off to MSD to have it rebuilt last winter and it has less that 1k miles on it after rebuild. It is the pre pro billet type. I am usung a high shock/vibration MSD blaster 3 coil. I am going to move the box and coil into the cab with me rather than under the hood as it gets too hot in there. Also have newish MSD 8.5 wires on it. I checked them for burns/shorts. I have it set for 33 degrees total and all timing is in by 2800 rpm's. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zfan Posted August 28, 2005 Share Posted August 28, 2005 Forgot to also say I am running a cast distributor gear as my Comp cams Hydraulic roller cam is set up for that. Gear is new also. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastzcars Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 Sometimes the if the distributor advance spring are TOO soft. That can't control the weight's still. Is the timing steady under the 2800 rpm ? I would also check the top bushing of the dissy. I find that if I run into problems I can't find I just walk away from it and start all over and not take ANYTHING for granted. What I mean's don't assume that the dissy is alright just because is was rebuild last year. For example last year I had my motor rebuilt with all new internal's, When I started the car It would die when the temp's would reach 180 degrees. I checked every possible thing. I even had an ASE certified mechanic check it over. He couldn't find the problem either. So I just started over and determined that the motor was the problem. Sure enough when I pulled the motor out, I found that the piston's had scuffed the bores. It was machined 1 thousand's too small. Not enough piston clearence. So just don't assume anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zfan Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 It is very smooth upto 3k and then then timing starts to jump around. I did not rev it much higher as I did not want to mess things up so to speak. I went to MSD's site and printed off some of there trouble shooting tips and things to look for. I am going to go over to the shop today and go over all the wiring, recheck the rotor, cap, wires, connections, springs, weights and move the box into the glove box. This is not the first problem I have had with MSD products and it maybe time to go to a HEI with another company and Crane fireball box with limiter. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zfan Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Found the problem! To much interference, I had current running to close to the box and dizzy..Yeah for once! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastzcars Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 That's great. Good to hear you figured it out. Now go terrorized the the local's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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