MSD Opti... car won't start
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 261
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From: ofallon mo
also check out the wires for the elc. water pump. if you have them crossed the car wont run. it sounds just like what mine was doing and i know because i did it 
luckly that was the only thing i changed at the time so i switched the wires around and all was good.
luckly that was the only thing i changed at the time so i switched the wires around and all was good. 
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2006
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MAke sure the opti connectors are mated properly. On the connector from the MSD opti spark that connects to your factory optispark harness should pin out as follows: The MSD connecter is marked A,B,C,D, A=Br/Yellow B=Br/Orange C=red and D=Red/Green. The factory harness side of the connect or shold be: 1-red/black 2-ppl/white 3-red 4-pnk/black. These connectors should connect 1toA for low res, 2 to B for hi res, 3 to C for power, and 4 to D for ground.
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On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: USS Abraham Lincoln
Alright, just messed with it a little. Checked all the connections (all were good), turned the timing screw in all the way, backed it out two turns, and tried starting. Started fine. Can rev it up a little, with no problems. Only one slight problem now. Won't idle. Will hang out around 600 rpm (my factory tach is about 200 off, so closer to 400 rpm), and die. If I give it gas, or just rest my foot on the peddle, no issue. Think it was the timing. So thanks to everyone. Looks like it was the timing. Now my question is, which way should I go with the timing? Advance or retard? And is that turning the screw in or out? Any idea how far I should turn it?
One last thing. When I shut it off, I noticed a ticking coming from the back of the motor, after it was off. Only did it for about 10 seconds, and then went away. Could hear something like water movement (like the ewp I just put in was still going), so I popped the radiator cap. Coolant gushed out, but was still cold. I only ran the car for about 30 seconds or so. Any thoughts? You guys are awesome. Thanks for all your help!
One last thing. When I shut it off, I noticed a ticking coming from the back of the motor, after it was off. Only did it for about 10 seconds, and then went away. Could hear something like water movement (like the ewp I just put in was still going), so I popped the radiator cap. Coolant gushed out, but was still cold. I only ran the car for about 30 seconds or so. Any thoughts? You guys are awesome. Thanks for all your help!
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On The Tree
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From: USS Abraham Lincoln
Update. Messed with the timing a bit more. Seems to run a little smoother, but still can't get it to idle. Comes closer to idle, but dies. When I give it gas, it still runs somewhat rough, but not too bad. After the car shuts off, can hear a ticking from I think the passenger side. Can't tell what it is, or where its coming from.
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On The Tree
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From: USS Abraham Lincoln
Also, I can see coolant dripping somewhere at the back of the motor, passenger side. Really slow drip, but steady. Can hear pressure at the radiator cap. Saw some smoking coming from each side of the motor, just below the headers. Think its probably just oil burning off, but I'm not sure. I did just put on new head gaskets, anything I could have messed up that would cause this? Really wish I had a second car right now. lol
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On The Tree
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From: USS Abraham Lincoln
Last update: Having to give up on the car for a little while, so I can go back to base. Got it to idle fairly well after messing around with the timing quite a bit, and listening to the computer try to compensate, but slight problem. Lots of white smoke out the exhaust. Head gasket maybe? I just replaced them, but I guess its possible they arn't sealing properly? I used new ARP head bolts, and torqued them down to about what the directions said. Car hasn't even had a chance to heat up. Ugh, this really sucks. Anyone in the Portland area feel like taking a look at it? lol. Not sure when I'll be able to work on it again. If anyone has any other thoughts, please, throw them out there. Getting desperate here. Really don't want to take it to a mechanic.. don't have that sorta money.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: In the garage fixing LT1
Originally Posted by freshmanit
Last update: Having to give up on the car for a little while, so I can go back to base. Got it to idle fairly well after messing around with the timing quite a bit, and listening to the computer try to compensate, but slight problem. Lots of white smoke out the exhaust. Head gasket maybe? I just replaced them, but I guess its possible they arn't sealing properly? I used new ARP head bolts, and torqued them down to about what the directions said. Car hasn't even had a chance to heat up. Ugh, this really sucks. Anyone in the Portland area feel like taking a look at it? lol. Not sure when I'll be able to work on it again. If anyone has any other thoughts, please, throw them out there. Getting desperate here. Really don't want to take it to a mechanic.. don't have that sorta money.
Drain the oil out and tell us if you see any water/antifreeze in it. Don't run it anymore until you get to the bottom of the head leaks. When you torqued the heads did you follow the manufacturer's tightening sequence?
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On The Tree
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From: USS Abraham Lincoln
Cool, thanks. I put my hand back there, and couldn't feel anything wet, though I was hoping I would. Have any experiance with copper head gaskets? A buddy of mine was saying he has never had good experiances, but he pretty much deals with ricers, so maybe they're stuff is a little different. Really don't want to go through pulling the heads again unless I absolutly have to. That sucked!
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On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: USS Abraham Lincoln
Umm, couple weeks ago.. just havn't driven the car. Random question, could make me feel pretty dumb... was late at night, and about 40 degrees outside when I started the car. Possible the white smoke was just from temperature? I mean, it did smell funny, but I couldn't say it was coolant. However, there was a lot of smoke, that didn't just go away real quick... car is backed into garage, and smoke just rolled near the ceiling, to the front of the garage. So, basically, is it possible coolant was leaking from the back of the head, at the steam pipe, and the white smoke was normal? Havn't had a chance to see if the coolant went down at all.
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On The Tree
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From: USS Abraham Lincoln
Ya, I did notice a small drip from the back passenger side.. maybe I just couldn't feel the leak from the steam pipe? Err, wish I didn't have to wait to go home and check.
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2006
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Like said before double check torque on the heads. I have made that mistake before. That would definitely give you the smoke. Let the car run for a bit to clear coolant out of exhaust thats already in there. Smell the smoke to see if it smells sweet like coolant.
