MSD issues

[TorqueJunky]

About a month ago I installed a new MSD box (digital 6+) along with a new cap and rotor, new plugs and wires, and new weights and springs in the distributer. Now I cannot get the engine to run below about 900 RPMs, without stalling. With the new MSD box do I need to change the timing to get the engine runnig properly? It never idle that smooth because of my cam but I was always able to get it to idle around 800 RPMs and there have been no other issues as far as performance or driving at all........

[Lyle A]

Maybe it's running too lean. Double check your mechanical advance to see if maybe a spring popped off. IDK. Just a few thoughts.

[TorqueJunky]

I opened up the cap to check the springs and the rotor was starting to burn up! I talked to the guys over at MSD and they said I should run the coil ground to the engine ground strap or neg batt terminal rather than the firewall. They also said that because of my cam I should block off the vacuum advance plate in the distributer as well. What would be the best way to do this as I know that I cannot just plug the port with a vacuum cap?

[mike mitchell]

running a msd box fires the plug 3 times per compresion stroke till 3000 rpm. so you can get a more complete burn. with the stock set up its only once. so, the mixture your running is alittle fat. thats why you cant get the idle down. youll need to lean it out some. and if you have a larger cam, you should run more rpm at idle so you dont load up the motor and foul out the plugs.