Reply to "Need help with ignition setup and Bad MSD 8350"

I'm sorry Doug is right, it didn't sink in to my mind that your Pantera was equipped with the PE ignition controller. That throws an entirely new wrinkle into the situation. I edited my previous post so as not to mislead anyone in the future.

I'm not defending the customer service of MSD, but don't write them off because your distributor worked OK for them, but doesn't work in your Pantera. I doubt that the MSD distributor is the problem, it is very common for an electronic ignition to have problems operating in a 40 year old car when it is dropped-in to replace the old breaker point ignition. The breaker point set-up drew less current and could limp-along under circumstances where the electronic ignition can't, the electronic ignition needs full voltage and draws more current. A wonderful example, the motor in my friend Doug's Pantera, equipped with the 8350 distributor, would die when he used the power windows or turned on the head lights.

The PE ignition controller throws another wrinkle into this problem, because now you're not only dealing with a 40 year old wiring harness, you're dealing with possible controller issues and possible issues with your installation of the controller.

I have no experience with the PE stuff, perhaps Jon H will be your best source of advice regarding what the possible issues are.

-G