JESUS 396 - CHANGING TO A BIGGER CRANK
THE MSD Coil Per Cylinder IGNITION SYSTEM
Since I've decided to stop using the original Optispark distributor I need something
else for cam sync.
It had to be - more or less - the new MSD CPC-system (Coil-Per-Cylinder) with
this distributor plug.
Only problem is of course that the Generation II Chevy Smallblock - like my
LT1 - doesn't have a
distributor hole back on the intake like the Generation I (Whiplash Victor manifold
to the left,
Blackout SS LT1 to the right). This hole must be fabricated from scratch and
there're no freebies
when comparing with the old intake, they're not all alike. And since this MSD
system was on
backorder in USA this engine project was put on hold for a while.
(And I continued to work with the new chassis set up instead).
This is how Kenneth solved the problem. He made a plug for the distributor hole
in the block with an oiled
shaft that he hit hard from underneath when manifold was mounted on engine -
to get a mark in the
aluminium to work on. Then made the hole with a small OD and grinded a flat
surface on top.
An aluminium tube was made to support the distributor plug. It had to be grinded
to the circa 3 degrees
angle which the Chevy distributors are leaning. Kenneth has all kinds of machines
in his garage.
And expert Henrik Jaakonen at BoMek company TIG-welded it, first a three point
tack, then a sturdy 360°
layer. BoMek is a "locally" famous state-of.art place for "having
it all". They've got staff and machines that
literally could make an Impala SS from scratch. In stainless or aircraft secret-secret
materials...
"Yea, I went to BoMek with the stuff"
"Wow! Can I have a look!?"
What a good solution! I'm so happy that the problem is solved by my buddy Kenneth
Feldthusen!
An MSD CPC distributor plug is mounted in a Generation II LT1. Let's move on
and fire it up!
When Optispark distributor is gone there's a perfect place to make a crankcase
evacuation. It will help
the evacuation together with the outlet on valve cover.
New timing marker is readable from both sides since we're also using the crank
trigger aluminium wheel
as an indicator, at least for the 0° but then we needed to pin the aluminium
wheel to the exact position.
This marker made of metal can take a blow from a snapping alternator v-belt.
Excellent yellow marking color from Frank Gudmundsen.
MSD eight coil system, Priority 1: Shortest possible spark plug wires. Priority
2: Low interference with
other stuff like oil filler cap, alternator, cables, rubber lines, oil
stick etc. Priority 3: Looks - and because
of # 1 and 2 the non-symmetric coil placements must be matched of the bracket
design. So I made a
really confusing design with my Whiplash lighting sparks. Will be made in stainless
and bent in different
angles and of course polished. Yes, I know it will be complaints from hurted
team members...but...
Photoshop. Everything's possible.
I email this to Dennis at Mekpart and he just drags it into his
water jet cutter program!
The stainless will be polished when I know it works and the last mod is done.