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Coil install help?
http://classiccamaroclub.mfatw.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4890
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Author:  78 Camaro [Sat Apr 02, 2016 1:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Coil install help?

So, just swapped out the ICM (ignition control module) and now moving on to the coil replacement. Took the old one out but the bracket seems riveted or attached somehow? New one doesn't have a bracket, but came with 4 bolts (2 long 2 short) and 2 thin liong metal brackets (in pic) that don't seem to match anything. Not sure what to do here?? Old on bottom of pic, new on top:

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Author:  78 Camaro [Sat Apr 02, 2016 3:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Coil install help?

Ok, so just needed to cut the heads off of the rivets and use a punch and hammer to get them amount. Cleaned up the rust and waiting for the paint to dry before installing. Gave the interior dizzy connections a clean with some sand paper, they look nice and copper coloured now. Then changing out the wires and possibly new spark plugs.

Author:  3rdGenmalc [Sat Apr 02, 2016 4:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Coil install help?

Got me a new coil too, did´nt realise how big it was until I came to install it,
built a "shelf" for it.

Image

Author:  78 Camaro [Sat Apr 02, 2016 4:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Coil install help?

Your coil is bigger than mine :lol:

Have you just upgraded to an MSD coil or have you always had an upgraded one?

P.S what's the latest with your alternator?

Author:  3rdGenmalc [Sat Apr 02, 2016 5:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Coil install help?

The one before was titchy, this can light up a small village.
Got it off Amazon.com, cheaper than Summit.
Some Amazon.com sellers don´t ship abroad.
That coil was for sale on the other European Amazons but priced highly.
Mine from America was cheaper than I could buy it in Germany.

The alternator had a cracked casing because one of the long bolts had broken, it caused some minor scuffing inside.
My previous alternator, same make and model gave up it´s front to repair the broken one.
Works fine now.
Cracked......
Image

Author:  78 Camaro [Sat Apr 02, 2016 6:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Coil install help?

Ah the old 2 into 1 trick! Glad you were able to resolve and get it up and running :thumbup:

Is there a noticeable improvement having gone to an aftermarket, then onto a larger coil? I guess the benefit is a stronger and sustained spark?

Author:  3rdGenmalc [Sat Apr 02, 2016 6:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Coil install help?

I´m not sure but I think it has to be used with an MSD ignition box,
although they don´t actually say you can´t use it on a regular distributor.....

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/msd-8252

Difficult to say if there was an improvement, I might think there was to justify buying it.... :lolno:

The car did start bloody quick after the installation, quicker than usual. :clap:

Have you got an HEI distributor ?

Author:  78 Camaro [Mon Apr 04, 2016 11:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Coil install help?

Certainly a bit more $ than the stock one lol.

Think it's HEI - it has a dizzy cap and then to the left of it has a coil. It's different to my 2nd gen, which has the coil in the cap.

Started her up yesterday - new GM Ignition Control Module, new spark plugs, new spark wires, new coil, new dizzy rotor, (all AC Delco OEM spec) cleaned the dizzy cap connections, had the battery disconnected overnight so the ECU was definitely reset, charged the battery with a trickle charger till full and...... just the same as before :/ wtf?! Ran it for about 10 minutes till warm and still had an uneven idle and you could hear it misfiring. I'm confused.

Waited a few hours to see if it did the "restart when warm smoke spew" and it did. Which is also a really annoyingly sympton, especially when you stop for fuel on the way home and coat the person behind you in smoke :( Was really hoping that would go away.

The ICM that i took out was aftermarket, it didn't seem to have any thermal past, just a thing transparent oil, so looked like dialectric grease. In the replacement unit, which is stamped GM, there was proper thermal paste so applied all of it correctly.

Checked grounds, all good.

So, either leaky injectors, leaky fuel regulator or valve stem seals. Or maybe all 3. Have an aftermarket regulator that can be fitted, which is likely next. Following that, dreaded valve stem seal job, which i will do, but i'm not exactly looking forward to.

Either way, there had to be an issue with the ignition system as when it broke down last time there was no spark.

Author:  3rdGenmalc [Mon Apr 04, 2016 2:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Coil install help?

How old are the heads ?

Surely a leaky fuel regulator would let your nose know.... :)

I´m betting on the valve seals.

Author:  78 Camaro [Mon Apr 04, 2016 4:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Coil install help?

Original to the car, so 29 years. I think the intake manifold has a slight coolant leak - i'll post some pics. Are you thinking head gasket / intake gasket?

Once i have access to another vehicle i'll change the valve stems out. It will take some time for me to build up the guts lol.

I went for a drive just now, 20 minutes each way and it doesn't like cruising at about 1500-2000 rpm still in 2nd / 3rd gear. It's very jumpy. It will do a constant speed for a couple of seconds but then it'll sort of lunge forward for a quick second and then go back and do that over and over. Has no problem pulling away if you put your down.

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