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Post by javtwotone on Jun 13, 2022 5:20:51 GMT -8
I mean Autozone of course! Well, I asked for it... Early this year putting the pretty SC397 built 360 in the Commando, I was going through and trying to make sure it would be a reliable summer cruising vehicle. Modified a CJ-5 aluminum radiator for it, new clutch, belts, hoses blah blah. Only thing missing was to replace that nasty looking old coil. The local A-hole zone actually had one in stock. All good with just under 500 miles on it, and it dies coming up to a traffic light. Using my screwdriver and vise-grips, I was able to determine it had fuel but no spark. All connections good, coil isn't hot, nothing obvious. Busy intersection, cop getting antsy, I have it towed to my in-laws house. Pay my $200 tow bill and hop into the in-laws spare mini van (after jump starting it) and continue to the graduation party we were headed to 3 hours earlier. Sunday late morning, after swapping in the battery from my Rambler, getting actually test equipment, AND the old coil we head back to the in-laws in their mini van. Stop for gas, and the prick won't restart.. Finally realize the damn thing had overheated? Felt stupid that I hadn't even looked at the gauge, but was really wondering WTF.
Back in the gas station for coolant and snacks. The van finally cools and starts, so I shut it down and start adding coolant, still wondering WTF when I see the issue. Stupid plastic tee they have for the rear heater core, blew a big hole in the side and dumped the coolant neatly on the road as we drove. No smells, no smoke, no hint of an issue only a small bit of fluid, low and to the rear of the engine compartment.
Back in for a roll of duct tape to get back home. Head out AGAIN in my wife's car, half afraid it will die also.. Back at the Jeep check for power at the coil and that the rotor was actually going around. All good, slap the old coil next to the pretty new piece of shit, and vroom vroom drive the Jeep back home.
Take the junk coil back, and find out there is a safety recall on the coil. Manager paid half the tow bill.. better than nothing I guess.
I know better, guess I needed a reminder.
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Post by spud on Jun 13, 2022 7:14:34 GMT -8
I highly recommend msd ignition.
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Post by Captain Awesome on Jun 13, 2022 8:58:49 GMT -8
Paint the old coil.
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Post by sc397 on Jun 13, 2022 11:27:04 GMT -8
Drink heavily
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Post by 69Rebel on Jun 13, 2022 11:58:00 GMT -8
Vato zone.
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Post by javtwotone on Jun 15, 2022 3:14:19 GMT -8
I highly recommend msd ignition. I have used MSD stuff for a long time, but SC397 installed an American Autowire conversion kit in the Jeep distributor. Read that you're supposed to stay with a stock style coil. Rick contacted them to clarify, and hasn't heard back yet. Thanks for all the other great ideas...
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Post by fast401 on Aug 19, 2022 17:33:20 GMT -8
J two tone replaced my bad msd coil also. Damn thing ran like shit. Never thought the coil was the issue.
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Post by landbarge on Aug 20, 2022 5:45:08 GMT -8
Ive had an msd 7-al box take a shit on me. From 1,500 rpm and up it ran like it was on a limiter chip. From there I went to Mallory.
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Post by javtwotone on Aug 23, 2022 3:43:26 GMT -8
That MSD coil had been on Fast 401's car at least 10 yrs. That's pretty good to me for an aftermarket piece..
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Post by spud on Aug 23, 2022 6:23:53 GMT -8
Well ya never know i guess. Everything electronic can fail. I shouldnt spoil my luck by commenting. I had some bad experiences with mallory so i’m not a fan. Knock on wood yaknow.
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Post by 69Rebel on Aug 23, 2022 11:01:02 GMT -8
If you ever see any of those old Accel Super Coils at a yard sale or whatever, grab it. Those suckers are bulletproof.
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Post by spud on Aug 23, 2022 11:31:51 GMT -8
I used to have a couple of those around here. I havent seen them in a long time. I mighta chucked em. They are not msd compatible.
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Post by Captain Awesome on Aug 23, 2022 12:07:25 GMT -8
The 5.0 Stang guys back in the 90s ate MSD boxes every month. They used to mount them on the Firewall. Got cooked with heat from the headers and drowned with water when opening the hood.
Mounting them inside the car makes them last forever.They just don't like being mounted to the deck of the Titanic..... MSD rebuilds/fixes them pretty damn cheap. A buddy buys fried ones at the swap meet for $20, sends em in, ends up with $60 in repair and shipping. So $80 in a Brand new Box..... So keep that in mind. He's done it with 2 boxes and they did a great job fixing them. I think the one box was like $40, repair, ship, etc... But that was a few years back. I'm sure it more now and so are the boxes new.....
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Post by 69Rebel on Aug 23, 2022 12:39:00 GMT -8
I used to have a couple of those around here. I havent seen them in a long time. I mighta chucked em. They are not msd compatible. I've had one hooked to my 6AL for a dozen years. Though I don't drive it all that often, to be honest.
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Post by Captain Awesome on Aug 23, 2022 13:10:05 GMT -8
I had an issue with a Big Yellow Super Coil before. It didn't have the resistor hooked up on it. So I ASSumed this is what gave it trouble. I had Tach flutter. It was the coil for sure. Switched Taches, still there, went to a regular cylindrical Accel coil and both Taches were fine....
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