FE446 power issue, MSD stuff.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 21
From: Texas
FE446 power issue, MSD stuff.
the truck is running smooth again. I put in a new vented cap and new rotor.
But when I checked thetiming, I found it's not advancing. I think this is the intermittent power loss I'm feeling.
How much power do you all think 15+ degrees of timing advance provides? Lets say my motor is runinng at 18 BTDC throughout the RPM range instead of advancing 15-20 or so degrees by 2500rpm as it should. is this a small power difference, or are we talking 100 hp on an engine like the FE446?
I'm about ready to order the DUI! This MSD crap is expensive and inconsistent for me.
But when I checked thetiming, I found it's not advancing. I think this is the intermittent power loss I'm feeling.
How much power do you all think 15+ degrees of timing advance provides? Lets say my motor is runinng at 18 BTDC throughout the RPM range instead of advancing 15-20 or so degrees by 2500rpm as it should. is this a small power difference, or are we talking 100 hp on an engine like the FE446?
I'm about ready to order the DUI! This MSD crap is expensive and inconsistent for me.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
What all did you do to this dizzy before you installed it. I think most of the MSD stuff comes REAL restricted= minimum timing. You must pull it apart and change the bushings to allow for more timing advance.
Yes, you are losing a BUNCH of power with only 18 degrees of timing. Back a few years ago I bumped my total from 38 to 42 degrees and picked up a tenth and 2 mph. That's when the car was running 11.80's. So, if I was only at 18 degrees total... I think it would be a real slug!
I would read up on the instructions and find out what bushing it takes to get 20 degrees in the dizzy. This will put you in the 15-18 initial and 35-38 total. Perfect!
You'll think you put a second motor in if you get this ironed out
Yes, you are losing a BUNCH of power with only 18 degrees of timing. Back a few years ago I bumped my total from 38 to 42 degrees and picked up a tenth and 2 mph. That's when the car was running 11.80's. So, if I was only at 18 degrees total... I think it would be a real slug!
I would read up on the instructions and find out what bushing it takes to get 20 degrees in the dizzy. This will put you in the 15-18 initial and 35-38 total. Perfect!
You'll think you put a second motor in if you get this ironed out
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 21
From: Texas
I know how to adust the dizzy. I've been in and out of it with various bushing and spring combinations. I think the current setup yields the desired timing...but the mech. advance has to work! It's like it is sticking...But I can easily movie it by hand....
I dunno.
I dunno.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
If it moves easily..then maybe it is going full advance at low rpm??
Have you started it with timing light on and see what happens at idle. Does it seem to fluctuate a bit. Should be pretty rock steady. If the springs are weak enough to let it advance at low rpm, then maybe your actually setting full advance, instead of initial??
I've had to bend the spring mounts inside dizzy to tighten the springs up enough to keep advance from coming on too soon and creating unstable timing/idle. There should be NO slack in springs. If you can rotate rotor with no effort then the springs have slack and this creates variable timing at idle.
Just giving you some ideas to play with. I know I have not kept up with all the little issues you've had. I hope we can get them ironed out enough for you to actually ENJOY the truck.
Have you started it with timing light on and see what happens at idle. Does it seem to fluctuate a bit. Should be pretty rock steady. If the springs are weak enough to let it advance at low rpm, then maybe your actually setting full advance, instead of initial??
I've had to bend the spring mounts inside dizzy to tighten the springs up enough to keep advance from coming on too soon and creating unstable timing/idle. There should be NO slack in springs. If you can rotate rotor with no effort then the springs have slack and this creates variable timing at idle.
Just giving you some ideas to play with. I know I have not kept up with all the little issues you've had. I hope we can get them ironed out enough for you to actually ENJOY the truck.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 21
From: Texas
well, it appears to be sticking...I have to use the bigger springs to make it come back down at lower RPMs. BUt then I lose the steep advance ramp that this motor likes.
Now it's running hot as well, may not like the higher initial advance it has now when it get''s sticky....ahhhrrggggg!!!!!!!!!!!
Now it's running hot as well, may not like the higher initial advance it has now when it get''s sticky....ahhhrrggggg!!!!!!!!!!!
FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
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From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Greg, ship that dam thing to me.....and get a DUI..and be done with it!! I'll use the MSD on my 18hp garden tractor!!! with a mix of homemade Octane booster and the MSD maybe I can get it to do burnouts??? 
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2004
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From: Montana
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Evanston, WY
I have the same distributor, Greg, and have had no problems with it at all. I seem to remember that this is not the first time you have had this problem. Is it the same dizzy? If so, get on the horn with MSD and demand a replacement. If the lightest springs won't pull it back, then it is defective. Not only that, your HP loss from running a static advance of 18 is going to be huge! You MUST get your total to around 36-42. Without it that 446 will run alot like a briggs and stratton.
-Scouder
-Scouder
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
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From: Texas
Yah, I guess I got another lemon....But, I 've had more lemons from MSD than success stories. If the dizzy is indeed bad, then I've had every MSD component quit at least once within 3 years...6AL, coil, mag pickups, and now the mech advance...something ain't right. It's probably the operator or engine assembler :- )
I put in the larger springs, and took it for ar omp...and WOW. I was going about 15mph or so, it dropped to first and almost got sideways....but it still felt sluggish later in 2nd and 3rd gears!
I think this thing is whacked! DUI getting very tempting....wouldn't the vacuum voodoo help with mielage?
I put in the larger springs, and took it for ar omp...and WOW. I was going about 15mph or so, it dropped to first and almost got sideways....but it still felt sluggish later in 2nd and 3rd gears!
I think this thing is whacked! DUI getting very tempting....wouldn't the vacuum voodoo help with mielage?
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 508
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From: Corpus Christi, Texas
greg
their is a complete Dura spark system on ebay right now starting bid is $40 type in "Ford 390 distributor" and you should find it!! I am using ford duraspark system and have no problems with it. I changed out the mechanical limiter in it and get 20 degrees advance all mechanical, installed light weight springs so it all comes in around 2000 rpm.
their is a complete Dura spark system on ebay right now starting bid is $40 type in "Ford 390 distributor" and you should find it!! I am using ford duraspark system and have no problems with it. I changed out the mechanical limiter in it and get 20 degrees advance all mechanical, installed light weight springs so it all comes in around 2000 rpm.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
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From: Texas
Originally Posted by polcat
greg
their is a complete Dura spark system on ebay right now starting bid is $40 type in "Ford 390 distributor" and you should find it!! I am using ford duraspark system and have no problems with it. I changed out the mechanical limiter in it and get 20 degrees advance all mechanical, installed light weight springs so it all comes in around 2000 rpm.
their is a complete Dura spark system on ebay right now starting bid is $40 type in "Ford 390 distributor" and you should find it!! I am using ford duraspark system and have no problems with it. I changed out the mechanical limiter in it and get 20 degrees advance all mechanical, installed light weight springs so it all comes in around 2000 rpm.
thanks Polcat...that's good info. I was actually thinking the same thing...even if just for trouble shooting. the simpler Duraspark system might help determine that he MSD is whacked. (as if I didn't already know)
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 508
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From: Corpus Christi, Texas
Gtex I have not to much experience with the MSD but on the low budget I am right now I sure have made this duraspark system work. My shaft is worn out were the oil pump drive goes in so I priced out a new one from Autozone, I believe it was only $60 for the hole distributor, not bad on my budget. good luck with yours. Once I get mine back running which should be at the end of the month we need to meet up at one of the tracks!! Heads are in the shop right know. getting portted, and having the cobra jet valves put in them!!! found me a good machinist in Round Rock. He use to race and build Fe engines in the 60's!!
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
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From: Texas
I'm hoping to go to the track in San Antonio on Wednesday. I may take everything I can find a way to haul...truck, Camaro, Yamaha FJR1300 (sure to be the fastest.
I'm hoping to get down there one night and have a 14 second 3/4 ton truck that hauled the 13 second camaro and the 11 Second bike to the track...I think I could be proud of that.
I'm hoping to get down there one night and have a 14 second 3/4 ton truck that hauled the 13 second camaro and the 11 Second bike to the track...I think I could be proud of that.