604 Electrical Problem.. Need help!

[wildman31]

Have a fresh 604 (I had it freshened). It runs very well at idle and timed just fine at 4000RPM. The problem is when I took it out for its first hot laps, it popped and cracked like crazy while in the throttle, like a backfiring noise. What do I need to troubleshoot???

[cuda9009]

Try a new ignition switch

[brad hibbard]

make sure you are rotor phased properly
your magnetic pick up wires may be reversed

if your distributor is locked (and it should be) this is very easy to check
with the engine shut off align the timing marks (not zero) but what ever your timing is set at
example: 34 degree mark on balancer with pointer on the timing cover
now remove the distributor cap
the rotor should be pointing directly at #1 or #6 (depending on stroke)
if it is in between terminals then your mag pick up wires are reversed
switch them and reset the timing
problem will be solved

if you have an old distributor cap ----you can drill a hole in it below the #1 terminal and actually check it with a timing light

Brad
www.race-1.com

[wildman31]

One of the 3 magnetic pick up wires had broken loose. Thank you Brad, took me right to the problem.

[CCHIEF]

Interesting, 3 wire pickup coil...???

[wildman31]

Yes, it had black, red, and green going to a connector.

[brad hibbard]

Oh Man,---that sounds like a ready to run distributor that does not use a box
simply hooks to a coil and that is it----is that what you have?

I have never heard anything good about those but out of curiosity I had to try one because of the simplicity---
it never left the dyno----the thing had all kinds of issues and everything was new
I switched the engine to a 6AL box and standard MSD distributor and it was instantly fixed

Brad
www.race-1.com

[wildman31]

It's an HEI Distributor. Part number 8365. I am running a 6AL box. Would it be best to go ahead and change to standard?

[CCHIEF]

With or without ignition module?