I See Smoke !!!

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Feb 22, 2006 | 05:16 PM

jski50

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I See Smoke !!!

HI ALL, I'm upgrading 71 F250, 460 to an MSD blaster (TFI Type) HEI coil triggered with a Dura Spark II module. Can anyone tell me is a TFI "style" coil supposed to be insulated from ground at the mounting bolts?? I'm pretty sure TFI systems are mounted in plastic, but never gave it alot of thought as everything's mounted to plastic in TFI era cars. I built/mounted this on metal bracket, bolted to block, and woohoo, I got smoke.. I disconnect the coil, no smoke. Hook up stock coil (canister points style), no smoke. Hook MSD coil back up, smoke. I checked MSD's instructions/website, and see no mention as to preventing coil from grounding. But, they do say mount in stock location, (plastic?!?).... Appreciate your time. Thanx, John G.

Feb 22, 2006 | 08:45 PM

Ford_Six

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Joined: Oct 2002

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From: The Big, Oregon

Sounds like you got a bad coil, it shouldn't ground through the body of the coil at all.

Feb 22, 2006 | 11:53 PM

"Beemer Nut"

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From: "Islander"

Sounds like another failure which many FTE members have gone thru with MSD products. Have you looked into Crane Ignition sustems, install once and forget.
Wadda mean we're out of beer? .....=o&o>.....

Feb 22, 2006 | 11:55 PM

ford390gashog

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Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 26,007

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From: Brentwood,CA

crane is very good. they used to be allison i think. but a very fine product. good tech support also.

Feb 23, 2006 | 01:51 AM

"Beemer Nut"

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From: "Islander"

I have Allison still in one truck, installed back in the late 70's at over 700K miles use without any problems. I stepped up to their XR 3000 system, same reliable results, happy camper here. Still making progress on the rebuild? When is it going to make noise?

wadda mean we're out of beer? .....=o&o>.....

Feb 23, 2006 | 02:00 AM

ford390gashog

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Joined: Jan 2004

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From: Brentwood,CA

maybe tomorrow. its been a PITA so far. i had to rmeove the front clip today so i could get the engine in with the trans attached. there was just something about 1,000lbs of iron hanging from 7' that made me uneasy so it will be easy just sliding it on in.

Feb 23, 2006 | 02:32 AM

"Beemer Nut"

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From: "Islander"

When I removed the 410 from the old truck to the 68 CS I pulled the motor first then the trans out the front without pulling front clip. I didn't want to pound out that X member after 30 years of rusting in besides this was before I owned a transmission jack.
.....=o&o>.....

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Feb 28, 2006 | 01:08 PM

jski50

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Update, When changing wire from key on term I left a little bit of resistor wire to butt connect to, no good. Removed all of resistor wire and soldered new wire to stock connector, no more smoke. I also confirmed TFI coil w/external E core needs to be grounded, that from MSD. Lastly, anyone upgrading to duraspark. If you want to take full advantage of setup it's recomended you use TFI coil. However, the swaps I've read show leaving resistor in line to + side of coil. Vehicles originally equipted w/tfi run 12 volts to coil. The resistor obviously reduces discharge voltage(this in an effort to stablize voltage to module). Unfortunately, simply removing resistor will fry duraspark module.. Sollution, trigger solenoid with wire that was supplying + side of coil, and supply coil with battery voltage thru solenoid. WOW, you'll hear the difference just idling in driveway. Don't forget to open plug gap, and watch for leaning as I had to fatten idle primary and secondaries. Truck has been running since sat, with this setup, nothing frying yet, Goodluck, John.