Question re: MSD 6m-2L / blaster ss Ignition problem
 

How is best way to tell if the ignition box took a dump or just the coil??
While running the other day, the port motor just shut down... seconds before it happened, all gauges showed to be good; good oil, fuel pressure, temps, etc.... motor just shut down.
trying to restart it just turns over and over with no spark or fire at all... doesnt even try to sputter or cough or start.... should I throw a coil at it first or should I assume with so many of the bad reviews out there that the box went out?
Thoughts? Thanks....

Swap coils from the running motor first but it's probably the box. I've had both fail within the past year.

Nothing quite like having bad box :(

MSD = My Sparks died

there is a test on MSD site(and instructions for a box to test it. betting box...MSD May Soon Die...

Many Suspicious Devices

Yes MSD has a diagnostics part in the manual....should be on the website if you dont have the manual. This is why I carry a known good HEI in my boat for an emergency spare.

so, I replaced the coil.... that didnt work, then I replaced the MSD box to a known good one and still no fire... now im stumped... I guess I should start looking at the distributor? coil wire? this is quickly getting above my knowledge grade

silly question but the kill switch for that engine didn't get pulled did it?? also I would check input power and ground into the box and make sure you didn't lose a power or ground source....then if that still doesn't work I would look at the module in the distributor....you have a known good one right next to it so you could always pull that one and swap it into the "bad" one and see if that does it...that way you're not buying useless parts

Stewart

This^^^^^^^^^^and as mentioned earlier there's a fairly simple troubleshooting table on MSD website.

^^^I agree^^^

Many Schit Daily

does it have the 50amp red reset button back by the dist ?? cant remember if it will crank if this is tripped ?? popped breaker fuse on the starter that sends power up top ?

it does but the breaker was not tripped... im working through the troubleshotting on their website... I have 12V at the red wire coming to the MSD box... I guess I need to look at the distributor next

That would be my next move...pull the cap and rotor and there should be a module under there...I had a MSD "billet marine" distributor in my boat before my rebuild and was having ignition issues at the end of last season and when I pulled the cap I'm pretty sure I found the problem...the whole ignition module in the distributor was a solid chunk of rust lol...needless to say I bought a new distributor for the build lol...Like I said swap that out of the other engine and hopefully she'll fire up!! if so...I would replace them both as if one failed the other one can't be far behind it!! just my opinion

so, I think I found the problem... removed the distributor cap and this is what I found....

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3c76795f60.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...9ddd68dead.jpg

some additional debris in the bad one.... I assume its toast....

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3091305348.jpg


And here's what the other one looks like.... The "good" one....

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...5f00dd02ee.jpg


So is it safe to say I need a couple new distributors??

So how many years has the MSD ,Marine distributors been horribly rusting and they haven't changed a thing ? 20? 25yrs ? More ?

My Sparks Disappeared

L\Do a search, MildThunder found a CRC spray that keeps corrosion away from inside these distributors. If you choose to stay with Many Schit Distributors.

I went with all star brand dist from Lane automotive here in Michigan....similar design to the MSD but a fraction of the cost and theyre billet with I think better quality looking guts....Who makes a true marine dist?? Daytona??

And yes I would replace both dist if I were you bud...glad you found the problem!!

MSD now has an anodized distributor but that may not solve their problem. I've had it with MSD. I'm replacing the ones in the Formula this winter with DUI and the Hustler to if they'll clear the blower.

Anodizing the distributor body has nothing to due with the quickly and heavily corroding weights, screws, magnetic pick up assembly,etc........

Agreed..........

Further venting (put a vacuum fitting in one of the brass screen holes, then route the line to a fitting on the flame arrestor) the cap may be a solution....similar to what GM did with the later optispark distributors on LT1's. That way fresh air is pulled through it continuously and it can dry out.

In case people missed this as it appears some did. ^^^

Many Soon Die