That might be your problem there. If you have a stock coil, I do not think the stock coil can handle the multiple spark output over a long period of time. One of the first things I had to do with my ignition system is update the wires then I used slightly colder plugs and I put a performance coil in. The MSD required spiral core wires with so much resistance (can't remember how much) and the colder plugs I used to prevent pre-detonation on hot days. I smoked my coil in a few weeks after I threw the MSD box and distributor in on my 91'.


Other than that it could simply be a faulty ground or power to the MSD, a faulty connection to the distributor, or you may even need to use a different spark plug gap. I had to do that too, I used a slightly smaller gap before I had a performance PROM thrown in.

 

Well im using the MSD coil too, along with the ignition box. I put in a new distributor about a month ago because the pickup on my stock one was toast. I have gone through 3 or 4 MSD/ACCEL coils in the past though. I'm thinking about trying a new distributor, its under warranty. I haven't decided whether or not to buy a $60 coil that might or might not be bad. The truck has run fine for 6 months until2weeks ago(new distributor went in a month ago).

From experience (if you can call being 19 experience) I think it is the coil. Once the engine gets hot, I believe the coil starts to break down. I think this has happened before with the other coils, but I'm not certain. I just hate spending money on something that isn't broke. College is expensive too...

 

I know how that is, I did most of my building on my 91 during the summer while in school. Have you tried relocating the coil to the fenderwell? If its in the stock location I could see the problem with the coil itself overheating. Also, what do you replace the distributor with? A stock unit? The stock caps and rotors can burn up (get a ton of carbon buildup at least) with the added coil output. Thats why I threw in a new MSD distributor on mine.

 

its a re-man distributor. the coil is msd and the cap/rotor is msd or accel, i dont remember. i could put the coil on the firewall. do you think that would stop the breakdownof thecoilfrom the heat? ive got headers on the truck and those put out so so much heat under the hood.

 

Yes, try moving it to the firewall as far from the headers as possible. Same with the box if you haven't already. Check the condition of your wires, you might need to boot them.

Check for plug wires that may be touching or running close to the coil or box.

Worst comes to worst and you still have issues with the coil or anything else, you can either wrap the headers or pull the rubber strip from the back of the hood (redneck cowl induction method) near the cowl to relieve the under hood temps a little.

 

the ignition box is actually next to my windshield fluid container on the driver side, way away from the headers. where can i get some spark plus wire protectors that dont cost $60?

 

Good question. I can't remember how much they were but Mr. Gasket has a set that I'm sure isn't too bad on price. I found them at Pep Boys a long time ago. I used them on my Borg-Warner wires, but not on my Accel wires, so I'm thinking the MSD wires might hold up to the heat. Try the net, you might find something on there for cheap.