MSD/Pertronix Installation and, solving power loss & other problems Options

[bob174]

Ok, I have a '73 2.0 with the D-Jet intact. I have had a problem since I bought the car with a power loss after the car warms up (about 10 minutes after driving it in the morning). I have done numerous things to attempt to correct the problem--lots of diagnostics on the fuel injection & correction of problems. Last year the car started running very rough, like it was missing on one or two cylinders. Had to goose it to keep it from dying at idle. I replaced injectors and also installed the Pertronix and MSD ignition systems. While researching the Pertronix/MSD installation, I noted a couple things on the site. 1) there were varying wiring diagrams for this installation; and 2) there were questions as to how well the MSD tach adapter worked. I studied the various wiring diagrams (from the component vendors) and wired my system accordingly (with the MSD 8910 tach adapter), and the car started and ran like a champ on the first turn with the tach working great (I was a little concerned about the integration issues I might encounter when installing two systems-Pertronix and MSD-simultaneously). I have generated a wiring diagram that integrates the Pertronix, MSD and MSD tach adapter diagrams. I hope this helps someone not have to spend 2 hours staring at their component wires and the diagrams and various posts in order to get their system working. Man is it nice to see that timing mark sit there rock solid on the fan housing notch! As a side note, I used the tech article posted on Pelican's site for getting the part numbers for the MSD installation (6A MSD box, 8910 Tach Adapter, MSD's universal plug wires set, and MSD Blaster 2 Coil), and used the 1847V Pertronix Module.

Unfortunately my rough running problem was still there. With the things I had replaced/upgraded I now knew my problem was neither ignition related, or fuel delivery related. In hindsight, I did not troubleshoot the problem correctly. It was running as if it were only firing on two cylinders--and this rough running symptom came on slowly over a period of months). So finally (I'm slow but eventually get to the right technique) I started sequentially pulling the injector plugs off the injectors to see if there was a difference in how the car ran. Turns out there was no difference when I pulled the #1 and #4 injectors. Hmmm, seems like I recall the fuel injection trigger points in the distributor fired two cylinders at a time--yep, they fire 1 & 4 together and 2 & 3 together. I had tested all of the injection components per Brad Anders' site, including the injection trigger points. Besides, according to numerous articles, these things are hardly ever the cause of injection problems. I had previously removed the distributor, cleaned the trigger points and reinstalled, ohmed them out, etc. From an ohm meter stand point, both the points and the wire harness wires to them were good. Well heck, I figured what's left to do? So I bought a set. Not only did it fix the injector firing problem, it also corrected my power loss after the engine heated up. The car just absolutely runs great now--better than it has since I bought it--probably 25% more power. Thank you Geoff (Bleyseng) for fixing my MPS a couple years ago, and everyone else for all related posts that I have researched. Hope the wiring diagram and this post helps someone else.

Bob

[jim_hoyland]

Nice ! Did you have to use the diode in the tach wiring ?

I have the same parts from that article ready to install on 1.8L Ljet; have been wondering whether anyone has done this on the 1.8 L L jet. Hope to install shortly

[bob174]

Nice ! Did you have to use the diode in the tach wiring ?

I have the same parts from that article ready to install on 1.8L; have been wondering whether anyone has done this on the 1.8 L jey. Hope to install shortly

I didn't use the diode--it is wired exactly as shown. Really works great--hope it helps you out.

[jim_hoyland]

Nice ! Did you have to use the diode in the tach wiring ?

I have the same parts from that article ready to install on 1.8L; have been wondering whether anyone has done this on the 1.8 L jey. Hope to install shortly

I didn't use the diode--it is wired exactly as shown. Really works great--hope it helps you out.

I think the only difference is I'll be using the stock dual-vac distrubuter.

[bob174]

Nice ! Did you have to use the diode in the tach wiring ?

I have the same parts from that article ready to install on 1.8L; have been wondering whether anyone has done this on the 1.8 L jey. Hope to install shortly

I didn't use the diode--it is wired exactly as shown. Really works great--hope it helps you out.

I think the only difference is I'll be using the stock dual-vac distrubuter.

So you're keeping the points Jim? If so, I believe the wiring will look like this:

[T wing]

By "bought a set" in your original post, were you refering to a set of injector trigger points?

I just recently noticed that my plugs for cylinders 1&4 are kinda carbon sooty and 2&3 are more normal.

[bob174]

By "bought a set" in your original post, were you refering to a set of injector trigger points?

I just recently noticed that my plugs for cylinders 1&4 are kinda carbon sooty and 2&3 are more normal.

Yes, I was referring to the points. My plugs in #1 & 4 looked like yours also. I just saw a new set of points advertized on the Pelican classifieds board for $50 which is a great deal.

[930cabman]

Would it be safe to say this wiring diagram work with a /6 conversion?

[StarBear]

Nice ! Did you have to use the diode in the tach wiring ?

I have the same parts from that article ready to install on 1.8L Ljet; have been wondering whether anyone has done this on the 1.8 L L jet. Hope to install shortly

Jim; For some reason the Petronix works fine in some 1.8, not so we’ll in others. Big Len’s installed and work great; I tried 3-4 months and never got it dialed in. Took it out and sold it. Since then, some have said that the coil needs to be upgraded, too (not in the instructions) so that may have been it. Finding the correct points is getting harder.

[ClayPerrine]

Nice ! Did you have to use the diode in the tach wiring ?

I have the same parts from that article ready to install on 1.8L Ljet; have been wondering whether anyone has done this on the 1.8 L L jet. Hope to install shortly

Jim; For some reason the Petronix works fine in some 1.8, not so we’ll in others. Big Len’s installed and work great; I tried 3-4 months and never got it dialed in. Took it out and sold it. Since then, some have said that the coil needs to be upgraded, too (not in the instructions) so that may have been it. Finding the correct points is getting harder.

I have run pertronix on a 1.8L L-Jet system for 20+ years. Never had a problem. Before that I ran a Toyota pickup coil and ignition module/coil and it worked great. But it was visibly not stock, so Betty wanted me to change it out.

[930cabman]

Has anyone changed their plug gaps? MSD recommends .050 - .060

Should make for a killer spark