ignition problems need help please. msd or not

[down_n_dirty]

I have a 83 ranger that i built for dirt circle track racing. I have done a lot to the engine and the engine builder said it should run between 7500 and 7800 rpms. I have a pro comp ignition set up on it now and have had problems with it hiting the rev limiter at 6000 rpms even though I have the box turned all the way up witch goes up to 9000.
Then last night the distributer broke. It sheered the spring pin at the bottom of the distributer. Was wondering if I should go ahead and spend the money and go with a MSD set up, or what would be the best.
Any suggestions would great. Thanks

 

[flaminranger]

if your willing to spend the money then yeah do the msd if not try another procomp dizzy or if it is the roll pin on the bottom try a new roll pin first as that is cheap

 

[down_n_dirty]

I was going to get another pin for it and make sure evrything is still ok with the engine. Then I was thinking of calling msd and talking to someone about what would be the best set up for it. Unless someone already knows what would be the best thing to run.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

I dont know much about the rev limiter and how it knows the rpm and can it be switched for a 6 cyl to take it out of play you still have the tach. There is a reason the shear pin snapped from resistance in the shaft or cap you may need to prelube it before each run and give the shaft a little more clearance to account for expansion for the higher temps created working the engine that hard.

 

[down_n_dirty]

I was also thinking there should be a reson the pin broke. My temp never gets over 185. This was only the second weekend of racing and this is a new truck we just got done building it before the first weekend.

 

[AlaskanRider]

I dont know much about the rev limiter and how it knows the rpm and can it be switched for a 6 cyl to take it out of play you still have the tach. There is a reason the shear pin snapped from resistance in the shaft or cap you may need to prelube it before each run and give the shaft a little more clearance to account for expansion for the higher temps created working the engine that hard.

Do non DIS systems even have a rev limiter? It was my understanding that EEC-IV cuts the ignition after a certain RPM and only reengages once RPMs drop to a reasonable level.

If there was one I'd expect it to be on the ignition coil, not the distributor.

 

[down_n_dirty]

I got my msd dis., coil, and box yesterday and put it all on. Problem fixed, this thing is wicked fast, can't believe how great it runs. Next thing is figure out how to get it to handle goin through the corners, not sure how its going to do next race is next Sat.

 

[John Smith]

broken gear pin

I'm not familiar with the pro-comp gear pin setup for strength..but u know Esslinger racing includes a bigger roll pin for their bronze gear kit..

you DO realize that this possibly is the weakest point in the motor's oil-pump drive chain?...high rpms can mean a lot of torque on that shaft depending on oil pump and oil combo...a problem that is common I understand...

I'd probably make a determination of what caused that pin to fail..(small size maybe not sure)...but if that dizzy isn't set up for a it. What kind of oil pressure are you running?..

I understand high pressure may NOT be your friend...the guys that run a high volume pump on a Turbo car fight this all the time...It's a weak spot in this Motor that has to be watched/addressed/..or pay--play i understand...

Do you know anything about that oil pump?...had the screen off latlely?..

That dizzy may have had a weak pin..lotta stress goin on there...is you pressure too high? are you running a manual pressure you can see as you race?...any way have fun.....

Some casual reading on the subject:

http://forum.turboford.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=053577#000011

Note the comments about currently used lubricants (lack of zinc) "ZDDP additive"..as a possible factor..if ur using Valvoline VR-1 might help ..also note the conversation on the M86E oil pump vs: m127 later style..
again..lubrication....especially when racing...at 6000 rpm+ (cavitation of the pump)

On edit..I seriously hope you don't have any "Pieces".."flakes" still in the system as you move forward...one opinion offered on this subject.."usually the home builder's SECOND immediate failure most likely will be attributed to left behind trace elements of a first failure"...

hope this isn't your experience..really..

good luck