That's a nice thought. I actually am glad you think this should be easy. There are a few tests that I could run that have been suggested here, and I will do it as soon as it warms up just a bit. It was 14 degrees in the garage yesterday morning. I know you guys up North know what real cold is, and someone will tell me it was 60 below where they are. But 14 is too cold to work on a car. I think in 3 weeks maybe the weather will warm up a bit, and I can start trouble shooting again.

I don't know if you remember, but a year ago I was struggling with fuel pressure stability. Turned out my in-dash, electronic fuel pressure gauge was reading way low, and I had the pressure regulator adjusted up to the point that it no longer controlled pressure at all. When it was cold, the pressure was just right, completely by coincidence. And then as it warmed up the pressure dropped and the AF ratio went lean. Once I put a reliable, mechanical gauge on the line, and adjusted the pressure down correctly, all was good. I kind of suspect this problem will mirror that one in some way once I get it sorted out.

Sam

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What is the reasons to go with MSD ignition?

I think going with HEI is more simpler and easier to interface with megasquirt.

There are details that you have explored these?

http://www.megamanual.com/ms2/pickups.htm
http://www.megamanual.com/ms2/vb921.htm

Bonus! There are timing info that you can study how megasquirt is setup.
http://www.megamanual.com/ms2/GM_7pinHEI.htm

Configuring the megasquirt with software after wiring and megasquirt installed and tested.
http://www.megamanual.com/ms2/configure.htm


Cheers, Wizard

Thanks for the links Wizard. I will check them out tomorrow, and see if there is anything new there. You never know. One thing that makes it a little confusing is that they mention version 3.7 seldom, since it is so new. But, as someone has already pointed out, version 3.0 is basically the same. Apparently 3.7 is mass produced.

Sam

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Correct.

This one yours is already assembled, but the set up and connections should be same, except you need to refer to the manual for the box.

Can you point us to the manuals for yours?

Don't forget, always use same program that is used to monitor and program the megasquirt controller. If new version of program came out, have to transfer the saved settings to new program as they do sometimes do differently. This gave you bit of problems before if I recall right.

Cheers, Wizard

There is here,

http://www.megamanual.com/mtabcon.htm

here

http://www.msextra.com/doc/ms2extraMS2- ... #install_f

And here.

http://www.msextra.com/doc/index.html

For the last one, scroll down to near the bottom, and look at all the links to MS-extra II. It is my understanding this is what my firmware is version 2.01d, I believe. In any event, Matt will download the latest stable version of the firmware, I am sure, when he works with it.

The options to look over get truly mind-blowing. After awhile my head spins with trying to keep it all straight. I can hardly remember where I saw something earlier, and spend what seems endless hours leafing back through things trying to find whatever it was.

Sam

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These are the listings, I gave you specific links to learn, not the whole thing. I'm putting you in sections and one step at a time to learn so we can understand each other and talk in correct terms. The one of the section details on setting up mechanical and calculating and setting up numbers into megatune/setup program prior to burning into megasquirt controller.

What is set up in hardware installed on your engine and wiring all done and what detailed settings on the trigger/phasing detail?

Your controller is Megasquirt II or upgraded the older megasquirt I with megasquirt II chip? Or true Megasquirt 3 or Megasquirt SMD 3.57? Be specific.

All of these can be updated to specific versions but this also requires correct version of software that is used to tune the controller that your Peter is using. Also need to share the ini files.

Cheers, Wizard

Thank you Wizard. This is indeed the challenge with MS these days with the developement of so many variations. Mine is 3.57 and code 2.01d. The challenge is to know which section to look at. I found this link especially helpfull.

http://www.megamanual.com/ms2/GM_7pinHEI.htm

I have printed it out, and put it in my notebook.

The other sections I have read many times. The HEI ignition is a new things to me, and have switched to it because I am trying to start fresh with known new components. People seem to like the HEI for its wide use, availability of parts and simplicity. Plus, apparently it is rugged, and works well..

Sam

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After several back and forth letters to Peter and Matt, it is clear what is needed to get MSII to see the ignition impulse at the right time relative to the spark plug wire tower/rotor alignment. When the rotor is directly under the spark plug tower a VR vane must be 7.5 distributor degrees before the magnet pick up.

Guess what? The Mopar locked distributor like the one I got from Lou is exactly right. So, if you are going MSII, find an old Mopar locked distributor such as they used with lean burn. No other fiddling is needed. Thanks Lou.

Sam

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Verrrry interesting info Sam. I got my MS II V3 running last night with spark, and I must have got lucky. I made the advance plate under the VR pickup adjustable with a screw. I eyeballed it and locked it down. It lit right off once I had a tach signal from the VR. I don't know that it's *right* just yet, but it does run.

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It's a Slant thing. Even I don't understand.

1974 Duster, EFI /6 soon to be turbo...

Get that Monkay! Get that nasty thing!!

You must be living right G. I am certain now that the distributor phasing of the present set up is the reason it would never start with ignition control MSII.

Once I get things working with the locked distributor and the MSII, I will look inside the current distributor and see how it is set up. I am betting it will be wrong.

Sam

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Sam,

That is fantastic news. Glad the locked dist was helpful.

Hope to see you soon. I'll be up that way April 30-May 1 and for the Hagerstown race on May 21-22.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Please stop by. We would love to see you?
Sam

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