Frustration
Well-Known Member
OK...been tracking a high end miss on FRUSTRATION's 426 MW engine. We run a MSD Pro Billet Distributor with an MSD 6AL. I run Autolite R72 plugs gapped to .035 and 38 degrees of timing that's locked in.
We've run this combo for more than 20 years with no real issues. Last year the car developed a miss at the top of each gear. It pops (embarrassingly) through the open headers. I've replaced the cap, rotor, wires, and coil. No changes.
During the off season, I took the heads to have a new valve job done and replaced the old valve springs. The old springs were checked, but were not completely shot. At the same time, we had the locks and retainers replaced with titanium units.
While cleaning bolts and brackets for paint and re-assembly, I had an idea. Not long ago, I made a small clip out of a wire coat hanger. I attached the clip to the lower rear bolt on the drivers-side valve cover to route the spark plug wires away from the headers. The clip holds the wires (5 and 7) together until they're above the header, then they split into separate directions.
I've heard about interference issues on the 5/7 spark. I know folks have run cams designed with a different firing order to eliminate this interference. I'm wondering if this clip may have caused more problems than it helped. As I think back, the miss started right around the time this clip was installed. I won't get to the track until spring.
Do you think this clip may have caused the problems described? I am not changing the combo as it's worked very well for years. There's obviously a gremlin in hiding! Thanks in advance.
We've run this combo for more than 20 years with no real issues. Last year the car developed a miss at the top of each gear. It pops (embarrassingly) through the open headers. I've replaced the cap, rotor, wires, and coil. No changes.
During the off season, I took the heads to have a new valve job done and replaced the old valve springs. The old springs were checked, but were not completely shot. At the same time, we had the locks and retainers replaced with titanium units.
While cleaning bolts and brackets for paint and re-assembly, I had an idea. Not long ago, I made a small clip out of a wire coat hanger. I attached the clip to the lower rear bolt on the drivers-side valve cover to route the spark plug wires away from the headers. The clip holds the wires (5 and 7) together until they're above the header, then they split into separate directions.
I've heard about interference issues on the 5/7 spark. I know folks have run cams designed with a different firing order to eliminate this interference. I'm wondering if this clip may have caused more problems than it helped. As I think back, the miss started right around the time this clip was installed. I won't get to the track until spring.
Do you think this clip may have caused the problems described? I am not changing the combo as it's worked very well for years. There's obviously a gremlin in hiding! Thanks in advance.