Problem after distributor install
 

I just installed a new MSD pro distrib. in my 90. The factory one had a lot of play in the shaft and I had a part throttle / cruise surge. The surge is gone and runs smooth at cruise. The problem I have now is sever hesitation off idle. This morning when the engine was cold it backfired in the intake as I was pulling out from the house. It got better as the engine warmed up but still there. Timing is set at 15 which is where the other dist. was set and yes I did put the spout connector back in. What am I over looking? Thanks for input.
Bill

If the timing light says 15 degrees then that's where it is! timing lights dont lie. The only problem with dizzy installs is: People putting them 180 degree from where they are supposed to be (I hear they even run a bit like that) and the wrong gear type (you need a steel gear for a roller cam). I assume MSD shipped you a fitting unit.

Here's what once happened to me. One of the plug wires dipped and got the rubber singed off by the header. I pooped the hood at night and saw spark spark spark. I pulled it back and the motor smoothed out incredibly.

yeah, sounds like a bad wire, or wire in wrong firing order. Triple check firing order, then have a friend double check you. If correct order, try replacing the wires.

check the wires, easy stuff first.
Ryan

I'd try putting the timing at 10 degrees if all of the wires are good and in the right order. 15 is a bit high. Also, check the plug gap and make sure no plugs are fowled or anything.

I hate to call you on this one but there is no way in hell a car will run with the timing 180* out.
I just got my new engine running the other night and I had the distributor 180* off and I got backfire and flames through the carb. Tell me how a car is going to run like that:confused:

Second, you need a bronze distributor gear if you run a roller cam.
Your problem could be the MAF sensor. Also try cleaning or replacing the TPS.
Oh yeah....back the timing down by about 2 or 3*

Thanks for all your replys. I put the stock 125,000 miler back in and problem went away, so its back to MSD with the distrib so they can fix it.

Bill you did it before I could reply, ol well good job.

I just had to reply about the 180 deg out thing, I have done this to a VW bug engine, and it DID run, idled perfect, but when you try to go it would spit/sputter/backfire.

82GT, Sorry, but you're wrong on the bronze gear thing. Bronze gear will work, but not last long with a roller cam. Steel is what is needed for the billet cams that Ford, TFS, Crane, etc make. I had to research this when I switched to a carb and my dizzy came with a bronze gear. Had to have it swapped for the steel one on my cam manufacturer's advice.

As for the original post. Glad to hear its running better with your dizzy. What did you different when you put the stock one back in? I've seen them put in one tooth out and run, but hesitate like crazy or pop, depending on which way it was out. Something to think about tho.

I have no idea how a car can even idle 180* out. I just know that my engine wouldn't even fire up. It would backfire and shoot a flame out the carb.
Unless those smaller engines are different.......I don't know how because when it's 180* the spark plug is firing on the exhaust stroke. Maybe my definition of "180 out" is different than yours.

86 GT , I stand corrected on the bronze gear thing.

You guys are getting way off on a tangent here. I suppose a VW flat 4 may run with dist. in wrong but if you get more than 40 degrees off on v8 and you cant even start the thing let alone run. I've been hot rodding for more than 30 years and built many engines and I had the dist in right and timed right. I even remembered to put spout connector back in. Emailed MSD and they didn't have an idea but said that since I put the factory one back in and problem went away that it must be in dist. So they advised me send dist. back and they will fix it

My point exactly!! I was referring to V-8 engines. I didn't know this was VW WORKS.

Actually in defense of billheis a 302 will run with it being 180* out. I did it on my 302 when i did my first cam swap. It would start and run and while it didnt idle the best it would idle. The problem was if you would touch the gas it would backfire.

Ok! Let's beat this to death! Yee-haw!

When I finished my 302 rebuild and I was reassembling my engine, I dropped the distributor 180 degrees and it actually started....barely and sputtered a bit and after scratching my head for a while and making adjustments over and over, I got mad and just spun the thing completely and viola! No more problems.

I went through the whole distributor gear thing when doing my carb swap. The standard bronze gears disintegrate in about 5 minutes under the steel gear of the cam. I tore up 2 gears before I realized what was wrong! Good thing the chips fell harmlessly down and came out with the oilchange. I had to get an aftermarket steel gear from FMS.

well you were sorta right about that.... check out the explination why you were mistaken.....

http://www.cranecams.com/master/stdrvgear.htm

Ahhhhhh.....I see what you mean when you say I was part right.
I'm still living in the past:D