MSD 44 Amp Magneto Failure

Discussion in 'PSI Superchargers Tech Questions' started by Nitro Madness, May 27, 2020.

  1. Nitro Madness

    Nitro Madness Super Comp

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    There are many threads here on ITA regarding MSD 44 amp mags.....but my problem might be unique...

    Bought 2 new 44 amp mags, FIE coils and standard MSD 8145 points boxes in the spring of 2018...

    We ran this setup throughout 2018 and 2019 until the WFAN event at Eddyville in August for 2019...

    Final round - after the burnout we started having misfires (huge balls of fire out of several pipes - looked like it was firing with the exhaust valve open)...basically random misfires on most all 8 cylinders and Radar shut off after staging...

    Had this original entire ignition system that failed checked at System One and FIE - both gave it a clean bill of health and found no problems...

    Swapped in new spares (all 3 ignition items) and went the World Series - 3 good runs and that was the end of our season...

    Car sat for almost 9 months (freshened engine/trans/etc.) and would not start last weekend using the same 3 ignition components that were in the car at the end of 2019....same exact issue as last August - popping and backfiring but would not run...and we had plenty of cranking speed with our new Pickett battery pack (with RCD 4 pack as backup)

    After double checking every connection, timing, etc. we installed a known good points mag that I had left over before the switch to MSD 44 (changed to MSD 44 for reliability- LOL)...started right up!! New wires and cap for 2020 also...

    This is a very simple setup....no crank trigger....no timing control...the only 2 additional wires that are attached to the positive side of the coil are kill switch and Tel-tach...

    Any ideas on cause of this failure (twice)? We suspect the points box as it seems that the magneto or coil would not change firing time...but sure open to suggestions.....
     
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  2. MaineAlkyFan

    MaineAlkyFan Active Member

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    Have you tried disconnecting the Tel-Tach and/or kill switch when it is running poorly, then re-trying?

    Chris Saulnier - Team Tigges
    Mechanic Falls, Maine
     
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  3. Nitro Madness

    Nitro Madness Super Comp

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    Chris, Ya might be onto something here....it's a nitro car so we have not run it long when these problems occurred...and would not start this last Saturday....but will try unhooking one at a time....maybe the Mallory kill switch the Tel Tach could be back feeding into the coil/points box circuit causing these problems?

    These 2 components are on the car and were not included with the shipment to System One and Spud for service last fall....so if one is bad then they could not have identified it....
     
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  4. Swedpuller

    Swedpuller New Member

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    We have the same problem here and cant find rhe problem.
    What did you come up to?
     
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  5. Mike Canter

    Mike Canter Top Dragster
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    Since you said it is a nitro car then what is the timing set at? I assume you have the large cap on it
     
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  6. Nitro Madness

    Nitro Madness Super Comp

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    timing is between 55 and 60 degrees and we have the standard cap...
     
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  7. Mike Canter

    Mike Canter Top Dragster
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    And how much do you change it from that point during the run
     
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    Last edited: Aug 26, 2021
  8. Nitro Madness

    Nitro Madness Super Comp

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    None - It's locked down with no electronics or air control....
     
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