coil question

[2112]

I am making the switch to MSD since Crane is out of order for the time being.

One thing I have noticed is that several high end engine builders out there who also use MSD seem to stay with the "old fashioned" oil filled coils (BLASTER 2).

They are about 1/3rd the cost of the the dry cell (HVC) coils. I am wondering if anyone knows if there is an advantage to one or the other or is there no difference thus, stick with what you know?

I called the MSD tech line and the person on the other end essentially wanted to convey that the dry cell is better because it is more expensive. period.

The oil filled has 45,000 volts vs 42,000 for the HVC BTW.

[Chris]

The buzz I've heard is that the dry one's are more reliable. I don't go through too many coils so I can't say they're chasing a dire need with the product.

The Blaster has worked fine for me for many years.

[Geronimo36]

The Blaster has worked fine for me for many years.

Same here!

As far as the new style coil goes; I saw one fail on my buddies Velocity two years ago so I'm not completely sold on them.... The whole system was brand new, even had Teague's fancy shmacy bracket to told it all in place, and between a carb/fuel problem and the coil it drove us crazy because they were producing similar symptoms!

I have the blasters on the Apache and never had one fail since 2005 but I do keep a spare coil/box on the boat just in case. Had a box go bad once....

[2112]

I had a failure of a Crane coil (dry cell design) and it was a PITA to diagnose, so I was wondering here.

MSD also has a "high Vibration" model of the blaster 2.

"For off-road, marine, racing, or other extreme environments, MSD Blaster High Vibration ignition coils are the best choice. Their sturdy metal housing is potted with a premium-grade epoxy to completely encase the coils' primary and secondary windings. This protects the coils from high and low frequency vibrations. Alkyd material is used to form the spark tower because of its high dielectric characteristics. Alkyd will not carbon track when high voltage is passed across its surface. For your convenience, a standard canister-type coil mount can be used, and the coils can be mounted in any position."

[Geronimo36]

I had a failure of a Crane coil (dry cell design) and it was a PITA to diagnose, so I was wondering here.

MSD also has a "high Vibration" model of the blaster 2.

I run the high vib. coils and have a spare just in case.

Diagnosing the coil was a PITA and combined with the carb problem it made it all worse. I knew the carb was f'd up so I fixed that problem... Some how the 'engine builder' forgot to tighten the jets, a piece of metal in the primary circuit and a faulty fuel rail... then test run a few times, still breaking up at high rpm and seemed to be fouling at long idle...replace wires and tested all leads for continuity and shorts, diconnected tachometer etc......tore carb down twice to triple check my work when I said to Billy the owner; 'Theres not much left so just throw a new coil on'.

It was a last resort and whalla presto!

[2112]

For me the faulty coil acted just like fuel starvation. Only when under load it acted just like it ran out of fuel. Plugs looked good, fuel pressure good. Checked for spark on every plug wire and the coil wire (but without load) at several different rpms then I accidentally put my hand on the coil and noticed how hot it was, swapped it out and problem solved.

That vibration coil is 45 bucks the HVC is 120. I suppose a guy could afford a spare?
.

[Ratickle]

I run the high vibrations. Haven't ever had a failure, but sounds like a spare may be a good idea.....

[Trim'd Up]

I run the High vibration coils pictured above too. No issues so far and I have had them on 2 different boats, and 3 engines.

[2112]

Are you guys using the MSD 6 ignitions too?
.

[Trim'd Up]

Are you guys using the MSD 6 ignitions too?
.

Not me, just a Thunderbolt IV on all three engines.

[Ratickle]

Are you guys using the MSD 6 ignitions too?
.

I have MSD on three engines and Merc on two engines. No issues other than a master box failure on an MSD ignition on the one boat.

[Geronimo36]

6M with softouch and MSD dist for me.

[Chris]

You can alleviate many coil problems by moving it off of the engine.

[Trim'd Up]

You can alleviate many coil problems by moving it off of the engine.

Maybe that's why I never have any coil problems. I usually mount my coils on the transom.

[2112]

You can alleviate many coil problems by moving it off of the engine.

I moved my ignitions off the engines years ago and it was great until I fried them with the trickle charger (yes I have the capacitor filters in line). I should have disconnected them. That was a 900 dollar lesson.

Moving the coils off would make for some long coil wires which can shock when touched

Interesting though, I see a lot of high dollar engines with everything mounted on the engine still.
.

[Geronimo36]

I've got the boxes off the engines on the half bulheads immediately agacent t the engines and the coils on the engines. having the boxes off the engines seems to really keep the clutter down behind the engines.

did a top gun a long time ago and put them on the transom.

[PatriYacht]

I use the high vibration coils mounted to the engines. Never had a problem with coils but the ignition boxes seem to quit now and then ...

[Ratickle]

I use the high vibration coils mounted to the engines. Never had a problem with coils but the ignition boxes seem to quit now and then ...

When you say "quit" Ian, do you mean repairable or replace? I just had one go bad....

[Ratickle]

I run the coils on the transom and the boxes on plates Hotrod2 made for the Scorpion for mounting. Along with the Haltech Injection controls.

[Geronimo36]

Not bad Raticle!

I've got my boxes thru-bolted on the half stringers on either side of the engines. The coils are rear-right hand side of the intake manifold (hard to see in the pic).