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MSD 6AL Failed AGAIN?

G Guest
I've had the MSD 6AL box and the MSD Blaster 2 coil on #6570 for 7 of the 7 1/2 years I've owned this car. Three times over this period, the car has stopped running while in motion. No drama, no sputtering, it just instantly dies. The first time, I let it sit a few days, then tried it and it started right up. So I drove it several more years until the next incident. Again, it just died, and it wasn't especially warm outside (Wisconsin in late May, around 70F). That time, I let it sit in the garage for about 2 weeks. Again, when I went out to try it,it fired right up.

This last weekend, at Road America, I was running it in the noontime "Touring session". After 3 1/2 laps (about 14 miles, no faster than 110 mph) it quit. Same story, just instantly died, and wouldn't fire up, not even cough. I had it towed home at the end of the day, let it sit in the garage, then after about 5 hours, it started right up.

I suspect the MSD box. It's mounted on the firewall, right hand side, just in front of the water pressure and overflow tanks.

Several questions:
1. Do these MSD boxes fail when it gets too hot?

2. If it fails, is it then "suspect"? Can I trust it ever again? (I think I know why the NASCAR guys mount 2 of them side by side... in case one fails, they can switch to the other).

3. Is the Blaster 2 coil the problem?

4. Are the people at MSD responsive or helpfull?

5. Am I off base here? Could it be vapor lock? But wouldn't that show some sputtering, not just an immediate shut off? All 3 times, it was like someone just shut off the ignition... instant shutdown.

What do you guys know about this? I'm thinking I may re-mount the MSD box in the interior, just on the other side of the firewall, behind the passenger seat. I thought I read on this site that someone did that once, with great success.

CAUTION: Me and electrons don't get along too well, so if anyone has an electrical solution, take it slow and easy with me.

Thanks in advance for any advice or discussion.
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4nford4nford"Live wrong and Perspire"
A lot of people claim to have problems with MSD units. I have been using MSD products since I was in High School and have never had any component fail on me yet. I hear that they don't like heat so I've always mounted mine far away from any heat sources. Have you checked for spark when the car doesn't start?
marlinjackmarlinjackThe Machinist #5723 AMARGOSA MACHINE 'Running on Empty- Middle of Nowhere'
...I have the MSD 7AL-2, Crank Triggered; Also Mounted Inside Behind the Passenger seat; to keep the Wires as short as possible, and to keep the Unit from being 'Heated' in the Engine compartment. You must be sure that the 'Coil'(power)wires and the 'Trigger' wires are ABSOLUTELY Separated as far apart as possible. The Wires should be Twisted, and NEVER Coiled, But laid down Lengthwise, to prevent 'Inductive Triggering', which may shut down the entire system. Last, You must come Directly off the Battery for 12 Volts+ AND especially have the Ground - come from the Battery! Don't rely on any of the 'Factory' Grounding, Period! It could be the Heat is shutting Your Ignition Down, next time it happens; do as previously suggested, and check for spark..AT THE SPARK PLUG! No Spark? Move 'Back' from there with your testing. Good-Luck with It!...
TC The Chuckster (Guest)
Korina (Vince?), yes it's me, Chuck with the gold colored wheels. We met several years ago at the Alfa club outing. What car were you driving Saturday?

As for the spark, I didn't have tools with me any of the times it failed, but I will carry some with me in the future. That's a great idea, checking for spark at the plug when it fails. Just basic detective work.

It's unanimous about the location of the MSD box. I'll re-mount it to the other side of the firewall, inside, behind the passenger seat. Can I leave the Blaster coil in the engine bay, where it is on the firewall? It's about a foot away from the right header.

Thanks for the advice, my friends.

Chuck
K korina (Guest)
Hello Chuck,
That was me and we're back with the Alfa guys in 2 weeks. I hope you can make it. We'll be there on just the Saturday though. Bring that old guy with the Ranchero back too. I was in a black Porsche Carrera that some guy just picked up and a new yellow Z06. I was playing instructor. I heard you were going so fast you passed the pace car !!!!!
panteradougpanteradougMember
Ah! I see you have found the MSD dirty little secret my friend? I noticed that the guys who like them live in certain types of climates. Usually dry. I don't know how Hawaii fits into the picture and I am not doubting that there are those that have never had a problem, but it ain't me babe. I suspect that the problem has to do with humidity not heat. What you are describing is EXACTLY why I don't use them. I'm sure the MSD tech line will just tell me to move out of NY.

It is like their time is up or you didn't pay the utility bill and the company shut the service off. IF you can get the car started they will run fine BUT the thing won't fire a cold engine to start it?

Personally I stopped questioning what I did wrong with them and went to the Ford Duraspark system and have NEVER looked back. If you want to keep believing in the MSD "quality schpeal" I feel sorry for you. Why be married to a company that is just a tub of shit?
C Chuckie (Guest)
Pantera Doug,

Thanks for the advice; my friend (an older guy, long-time mechanic, Ford guy) told me the same thing.... DURA-SPARK!

It does start cold after an "incident". But at this point I don't know if/when it will fail me. My friend is willing to help put in the dura spark. Do we just rip out the MSD box and put in a Dura Spark box? What about the Blaster coil? Can I keep that? Do I need to change anything in the distributor? I currently have the Pertronix Ignitor in there. I'm looking for reliability now, and am willing to sacrifice some performance to get it.

Again, thanks for the input, guys!
C Chuckie (Guest)
By the way, Chuckie and The Chuckster are both me.... split personality, I guess. (The Chuckster at home, Chuckie at work)

Hey, Vince. What date is the Alfa club at RA? I am busy on Oct 11th, but I think I'm open on Oct 4th and Oct 18th.

The Oct 11th date is a Pantera Tech session in the Milwaukee area. Our 1st! How cool is that? I always felt left out because the Milwaukee area guys just never get together; in fact, we barely know of each other. We're just starting to put together a list of Pantera owners in the area. There are more out there in the area than I ever knew about.

Ciao,

Carlo Rigatoni (aka, Chuck)
panteradougpanteradougMember
quote:
Originally posted by Chuckie:
Pantera Doug,

Thanks for the advice; my friend (an older guy, long-time mechanic, Ford guy) told me the same thing.... DURA-SPARK!

It does start cold after an "incident". But at this point I don't know if/when it will fail me. My friend is willing to help put in the dura spark. Do we just rip out the MSD box and put in a Dura Spark box? What about the Blaster coil? Can I keep that? Do I need to change anything in the distributor? I currently have the Pertronix Ignitor in there. I'm looking for reliability now, and am willing to sacrifice some performance to get it.

Again, thanks for the input, guys!


The Duraspark is a plug and play unit. The problem is that you are going to need a harness.

I am very sure that you could make your own without too much problem BUT I don't have a wiring schematic to help you out with.

Perhaps some passing by Good Samaritan could help us out here? Larry? George? Big Grin

Incidentally I don't think that you are going to give up any performance at all with the Dura spark system.
K korina (Guest)
Hello Chuck,
The 11th is the day with the Alfa boys so you'll be hanging with the Milwaukee Pantera guys that day. MIlwaukee is only an hour drive for me so if you guys get together in the spring let me know. I'm sure a couple of us hot dogs eating, flatlander FIBs would be glad to make a field trip up. Vince
TC The Chuckster (Guest)
Hey Vince,

Thanks for the heads up on the Alfa outing. I hope you have a good session there. I always liked watching you "fly the colors" at Road America, at speed! The only thing wrong with the picture was my Red beauty wasn't there on the track with you. As I recall, they do have a reasonably priced Touring Session at the Alfa club event during lunchtime. I'm sorry I will be missing it this year.

You guys from Ill-annoy (just kidding!)would be welcome to our sessions anytime. The Pantera brotherhood knows no borders. I'll keep you posted. Like I said, it's our first attempt, and I'm really pleased that we're finally getting together.

Take care, and remember: Keep the shiny side up!

Chuck
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