@GeorgS posted:I had a similar problem. My car suddenly didn't want to start anymore.
After some searching I found out that i didn't have 12V at the coil (Petronix Ignitor 3 with Flamethrower 3 coil). After fixing that the engine still didn't run but backfired. The engine itself was fine with good compression.
After several months and a lot of ideas that were all wrong (including changing the Ignitor module, plug wires, cap, rotor, plugs...), I finally decided to get rid of the pertronix completely and changed to a used Mallory Distributor a friend had lying around. Car started immediately and runs without issues.
Last time I ever use Pertronix.
Funny sidenote: with the pertronix my tach never worked properly, despite using adapter boxes etc., with the mallory it works fine.
I suppose that it has to be acknowledged that not everyone who posts or asks questions or for help here are not very versed, but for quite some time the lack of dependability of MSD ignition systems have generally been referred to as Might Suddenly Die.
At times this seems like talking to a 12 year old cautioned about setting off fireworks and constantly has them going off in their hands? I don't get that?
It is true that MSD company has been sold several times and may or may not increased their dependability level but the common knowledge of experienced "street rodders" is don't use them, they suck and you are going to get stuck on the road somewhere at some time. Period. End of story.
It is VERY COMMON for racers to replace the MSD cpu three or four times a racing season. They are no more dependable in street use.
There are better alternatives to them but you need more then casual knowledge to determine that.
Support MSD as you will but if it goes off in your hands it is gonna' hurt. That seems to be a need to know?