MSD distributor vent question...

Hozer 88GTConv · 11-12-2006, 10:42 PM

Anybody had probs with this? I've been chasing down an electrical gremlin.

The car runs great, then inexplicably runs crappy.
KOER tests show nothing unusual, same old "thermactor" codes and the egr (egr simulator from ebay installed).
Cylinder balance test when engine running "crappy" shows multiple cylinders weak.
I've been over everything, fuel, spark, batt, alt, grounds. When I popped the distro cap off, there was visible condensation in the cap. There was a yellowish powder on the bottom of the distro.
The vent cap was basically blocked by a spark plug wire, so I 'm deducing that this is bad.
Anybody drilled holes in their distro to aid in venting ionized air?

Jeff Chambers · 11-13-2006, 12:51 PM

Go ahead and try it. I drill a 1/2" hole in every one of my distributor caps for phasing of the rotor (crank trigger system). At worst you'll just need a new cap if it isn't part of the problem.

Hozer 88GTConv · 11-13-2006, 07:19 PM

Thanks, Jeff. Did it late last night and no probs at all today, but will drive it hard tomorrow.

Okay, now for the EGR simulator. Despite it being installed, I get the EGR OBD code during the KOER test. Previous postings made no mention of this.

11-12-2006, 10:42 PM	#1
Hozer 88GTConv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 706	MSD distributor vent question... Anybody had probs with this? I've been chasing down an electrical gremlin. The car runs great, then inexplicably runs crappy. KOER tests show nothing unusual, same old "thermactor" codes and the egr (egr simulator from ebay installed). Cylinder balance test when engine running "crappy" shows multiple cylinders weak. I've been over everything, fuel, spark, batt, alt, grounds. When I popped the distro cap off, there was visible condensation in the cap. There was a yellowish powder on the bottom of the distro. The vent cap was basically blocked by a spark plug wire, so I 'm deducing that this is bad. Anybody drilled holes in their distro to aid in venting ionized air? __________________ 1988 GT Convertible 331 10:1 TW heads, GT-40 intake, MSD, TRW flattops, B Cam w/ 1.7's, MAC exhaust, 24's, 70 TB, 76 MAF, 3.73's, Pro 5.0, Koni's, Anderson PMS, Wideband 02, yatta, yatta... One week with new motor, two speeding tickets...joy

11-13-2006, 12:51 PM	#2
Jeff Chambers Moderator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milan, OH Posts: 2,699	Re: MSD distributor vent question... Go ahead and try it. I drill a 1/2" hole in every one of my distributor caps for phasing of the rotor (crank trigger system). At worst you'll just need a new cap if it isn't part of the problem. __________________ Jeff Chambers 1990 Mustang GT 10.032 Seconds / 137.5 MPH 14-time Street Warrior World Record Setter CRT Performance 2001 Tropic Green Mustang GT - 12.181 / 113.2 MPH 2002 Ford F-250 Crew Cab 7.3l Power Stroke - 17.41@77.2 "There's nothing boring about a small block automatic shifting gears at 9400 rpm!"

11-13-2006, 07:19 PM	#3
Hozer 88GTConv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 706	Re: MSD distributor vent question... Thanks, Jeff. Did it late last night and no probs at all today, but will drive it hard tomorrow. Okay, now for the EGR simulator. Despite it being installed, I get the EGR OBD code during the KOER test. Previous postings made no mention of this. __________________ 1988 GT Convertible 331 10:1 TW heads, GT-40 intake, MSD, TRW flattops, B Cam w/ 1.7's, MAC exhaust, 24's, 70 TB, 76 MAF, 3.73's, Pro 5.0, Koni's, Anderson PMS, Wideband 02, yatta, yatta... One week with new motor, two speeding tickets...joy

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