Coil Failure

[John4337]

Turned 28,000 miles on my Mk4 yesterday and also had my first roadside repair. Car just died while cruising down the road. Fuel pump was working so I replaced my MSD Blaster2 coil with a spare I had, and it fired right up. Both coils are date stamped 2013, the year I finished my build. At the time MSD was the thing, maybe now not so much. For reference, I'm running a 302 with an MSD 8503 E-Curve Distributor. Any suggestions for a replacement?

Thanks

John

[rich grsc]

MSD coils are a disaster. I went through 3 in 18 months. Went and grabbed the original Ford coil from a 1993 Mustang, that was 3 yrs ago, still working perfectly. So my advice is get an original Ford coil from the early 90's, it's an iron core coil , NO liquid filled coils. MSD JUNK

[mladen]

so I replaced my MSD Blaster2 coil with a spare I had

You don't often hear of a spare ignition coil for one's emergency roadside equipment. My build isn't finished yet, maybe I should start considering one :)

[65 Cobra Dude]

Just make sure you have the right wire to connect coil to distributor, right Mark Burger?

[Dieter123]

I have a 302. Using the Pertronix D130710 with Pertronix Coil 45011. Only have 1700 miles but seems to work for me. I like the period correct look.

[narly1]

From the instructions for the Blaster II:

"The Blaster Coil is designed to mount in most factory canister coil mounts. It is recommended to mount the PN 8202, PN 82023 and 8223 coils in an upright position.
The High Vibration Coil, PN 8222, can be mounted in any position due to its epoxy potting compound."

Earl

[Chopper]

John,

I have a MSD Blaster 2 (MSD-8023) in my car right now. When I upgraded from my Edelbrock Pro-Flo2 to Edelbrock Pro-flo4 a move to the canister style coil was required as the TFI style coil was no longer supported. I have had no issues with my coil so far, however I have seen a decent amount of negative press about the newer MSD coils.

I was wondering if you could run a Pentroix 40111? It's the same form factor, but epoxy filled instead of oil filled. I am thinking epoxy filled maybe a little more reliable? I was considering getting one of these to keep as a backup in my trunk kit.

-Brandon

[John4337]

Thanks everyone, should have mentioned that I’m running Fitech EFI and my coil is mounted vertically on the drivers side F Panel.

[Chopper]

John,

Epoxy filled should work mounted in any direction.

[Fman]

Does anyone know the difference between the MSD Blaster 2 vs 3? I am running the Blaster 3 in my car, knock on wood/fingers crossed 4300 miles and still going. After reading this might invest in a spare to keep with me just incase.

[narly1]

Looking at the specs at holley.com the only difference appears to be the extra tall secondary tower feature.

Electrical specs are identical.

Earl

[mburger]

Just make sure you have the right wire to connect coil to distributor, right Mark Burger?

I have found vigorously tapping the fuel gauge not effective in this situation.
So if you’re reading this at home, follow Henry’s advice and also make SURE when looking for said spare wire, you look all the way to the bottom of your duffel bag pockets! My other thought on this subject will be privately texted to Henry. :p

[mburger]

I missed the entire London Ohio cobra show on Saturday after driving there from SW Florida due to an MSD Blaster 3 coil failure. I actually had a spare coil with me, but with the female top like the Blaster 2 coil but I couldn’t find the correct coil wire that I knew I brought with me. I found it a long time after the LCS right where I put it deep in the pocket of my duffel bag which I had with me in Ohio.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=168738&d=1656433074

[rich grsc]

MSD coil are fantastic--------to hang from a post as a 200yd target. Then, you have a life time supply of very fine copper wire.;)

[Fman]

Interesting I wonder why Gordon Levy sold me a Blaster 3 if they are POS, I value his experience and knowledge on anything related to engines or Factory 5 Cobras... he has been in this game for a long time.

[mburger]

Interesting I wonder why Gordon Levy sold me a Blaster 3 if they are POS, I value his experience and knowledge on anything related to engines or Factory 5 Cobras... he has been in this game for a long time.

He secretly hates you?
Of course I’m just joking!

I’m not saying they all suck, but mine left me stranded.

[Fman]

He secretly hates you?
Of course I’m just joking!

I’m not saying they all suck, but mine left me stranded.

LOL;)! Regardless, I think I will have a spare with me just incase... would be easy to swap one out quickly on the side of the road.

Just curious was there any physical signs of it failing? Or do they just fail without warning?

[mburger]

LOL;)! Regardless, I think I will have a spare with me just incase... would be easy to swap one out quickly on the side of the road.

Just curious was there any physical signs of it failing? Or do they just fail without warning?

I was cruising down the highway and it acted like it was running out of gas. Then died completely. From normal cruise to dead in about 15 seconds.

[John4337]

LOL;)! Regardless, I think I will have a spare with me just incase... would be easy to swap one out quickly on the side of the road.

Just curious was there any physical signs of it failing? Or do they just fail without warning?

Mine acted up a couple of weeks ago, steady speed cruising and car died, but fired back up before I even coasted to a stop. Did it a second time, but that was it. Couldn’t replicate the issue, so I put in a new fuel filter, rotor and distributor cap ( which were a bit worn but not terrible) I was just taking shots in the dark. Then it did the same thing, steady speed cruising, and it dies, but wouldn’t refire until I swapped out the coil. After that we did a 125 mile or so lunch cruise with no issues.

John

[Railroad]

My BIL has an after market canister coil on his truck. It gets too hot to touch and will shut down. He pulls over, lets it cool, or pours water over it. Re start and off again. I have suggested mounting the coil, vertical, but he is not mechanical.