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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
a while ago, I posted many tim

a while ago, I posted many times about my poor BBi, the garage queen that had a bunch of problems running. I had finally given up and took it to FOA to have it worked on. First they discovered a bad relay that was not allowing one of the fuel pumps to work, and so despite correct fuel pressures, the readings were misleading...thanks to the corssover between WURs. It was then tuned. I decided to have the belts and tensioners replaced, since the car had 20 years of life without that being done. Well, then it was discovered that one of the WUR had to be replaced.

YTesterday I went to pick it up. I paid the dealer a nice amount of money, then drove away. The car stalled at least three or four times, the last time on a very busy highway and I almost got killed by a truck who thought I was playing with him in the right lane. I pulled over and called the dealer who sent a truck and took the car back for further repairs.

You know what I think is wrong with it. It is an intermittent problem with the d*#@ned digiplex. The car would be run fine and then poof, it would stall, yet there was power to everything...no connectiuon problems, just an intermittent problem where the digiplex cuts off.

This should have been the first place one looked. JRV and others tried to tell me that, including Frank (?) of the BBi registery. Well, the mechanic at Foa is still trying to determine if this is the problem. I told him if it is, to go for the MSD version, no digiplexes for me. And the problems that Tom had with the permatune steered me away from it.

Even with less than 5500 miles, the car is not going to be concoursed, nor is it for resale to a collector. I hate the digiplex unit, and I want to drive my car. It has been quite a long long time since it has been driven, and part of the last two years have been ignition problems.

I thought those who followed my trials and tribulations might like to know. I will post when all is well.
 
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Discussion Starter · #2 ·
as a footnote to the above mes

as a footnote to the above message: I examined the belts that were replaced after 20 years. They were as perfect as I have ever seen. I guess an airconditioned and heated garage is fit for a queen, after all.
 
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Discussion Starter · #3 ·
Coach, my friend, I am indeed

Coach, my friend, I am indeed stunned with the continued problems with your 512BBi. I hope this can be rectified once and for all. Good luck to you.
 
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Discussion Starter · #4 ·
Coach,

sorry to hear you&#3


Coach,

sorry to hear you're still having trials & tribulations with your BBi. Glad to hear you didn't get hurt, sounds like a terrifying experience on the highway.

If they ever get it sorted and driveable, make sure they double check all the hose clamps.

Regards, JRV
 
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Discussion Starter · #5 ·
Coach....Yes I did have a prob

Coach....Yes I did have a problem with a prema Tune unit. But they rectified they problem and were very helpful. I would have absolutely no problems useing them again. Everybody has a bad day sometimes. They sent me a replacment unit and it performed flawlessly. I would houestly give them a try. There prices are reasonable and maybe less expensive to do then the MSD.

Tom

P.s sorry to hear about the troubles with you BB. They are usually quite the reliable car!!
 
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Discussion Starter · #6 ·
the damnedest thing is the mec

the damnedest thing is the mechanic working on it can't make it do what I had three to four stalls ...he says he drove it for 15 minutes and it purred like a charm..he does admit to some hesitation, occasionally...It doesn't hesitate, it stalls...I am sure when that part is fixed there will be no more problems...the plugs were tested, changed into brand new NGK iridium plugs, I have a new WUR, new just about everything....grrrr.... we'll see. Thanks for posting everyone, it makes me feel a little better now that I have some sympathy
 
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Discussion Starter · #7 ·
Coach:

I had a similar prob


Coach:

I had a similar problem with my 308QV. It turned out to be a bad ground with the Digiplex and fuel injection.

Ken
 
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Discussion Starter · #8 ·
Good idea Ken. That would be

Good idea Ken. That would be something you can check Coach. I think that JRV mentioned a way to make an additional ground to. I am not sure of the specifics but that could do it.
Also what about a failing flywheel sensor for the ignition? It could work well and then when good and heated it could start to open up resistance wise. I have been told that just checking them cold isn't enough. Check them cold and then run the car, then check them again. HTHs.
 
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Discussion Starter · #9 ·
well, I have emailed my mechan

well, I have emailed my mechanic with the suggestions. He keeps insisting he cant make the car stall...yet it stalled on me four times within a 10 minute drive...amazing, and many thanks for the suggestions.
 
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Discussion Starter · #10 ·
Dr. Ibrahim,
I had the same p


Dr. Ibrahim,
I had the same problem with my 365GT/4BB. The last time it happened, I installed an MSD model 6A. No drastic mods to the wiring harness, problem solved permanently, tach connection on the MSD worked. Cheap, but reliable fix. I highly recommend it.
 
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Discussion Starter · #11 ·
Is the MSD use an opitcal trig

Is the MSD use an opitcal trigger or how does it work? Does it work off of mechancial advance or ?.
 
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Discussion Starter · #12 ·
The MSD 6 A....does it power a

The MSD 6 A....does it power a single distributor with 12 wires going to it, or do you have two separate distributors on the 365 GT/4BB? Will that MSD also work on a daytona? I am currently running one of my daytonas without electronic ignition...having wired it out and it runs great...but if this helps a daytona, I will try it there too..
 
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Discussion Starter · #13 ·
Coach,

I agree with BillB.


Coach,

I agree with BillB. that a switch to a MSD is a good idea. The tech working on your BB really can't use the "excuse" that he's unable to be positive beyond any shadow of a doubt....the customer is always right...and if the driver/owner tells a mechanic something is wrong, believe me...something is wrong!

ask this mechanic when the last time was he saw a customer invent imaginary problems so he could spend another wad of dough.

Are these the same mechanics that made such a big mess of Frank Parkers BBi? At least they did'nt tow your BB back with a worn out tow rope & screw up the paint. I really should have shared my real feelings about a WUR, FP & Relay all being bad at the same time on the same side when you first mentioned it, but I didn't want to bring up how unlikely it is for that scenario to be true at the time. Tell them to just fix the darn thing....Sheeeesssshhhhh, enough already.



Regards, JRV
 
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Discussion Starter · #14 ·
My 365 Boxer had a single dist

My 365 Boxer had a single distributor, and all it took was connecting the wires that ran to the Dinoplex. The MSD also works with Daytona twin distributor applications, so long as the distrib cams are six-lobed USA versions. You will need two units for the Daytona though.
 
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Discussion Starter · #16 ·
The MSD should work with the 3

The MSD should work with the 308 as well, but I haven't tried it. If you choose to experiment, I'd suggest buying from Jeg's, as they will take them back if they don't fit the application. Be sure to save all the original packaging in case you have to return them.
 
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Discussion Starter · #17 ·
Can the MSD replace the Digipl

Can the MSD replace the Digiplexes on 308s?

Unfortunately, not. The Digiplex/Microplex takes it's fire signal from magnetic pins on the engine flywheel and has it's own internal non-adjustable ignition advance mapping. This Marelli ECU then fires the coil sending the pulse to the 'distributor'. The 'distributors' on our cars are no more than switches. The cars Bill refers to are the earlier 308s with points (or the rare magnetic in late GT/4) fired distributors.

MSD requires a signal from a device (points, optical, Hall effect) telling it when to fire the coil. An advantage to MSD in older points fired coils is that it lowers the trigger voltage across the points, increasng their life. The other main advantage is extended time (multiple discharges) at lower rpm. I know David F. has run them for years in his Boxer (points distributor) and you see them in almost every racecar with a true distributor.

hth
rt
 
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Discussion Starter · #18 ·
R Turner,
Thanks for that goo


R Turner,
Thanks for that good clarification. I've tried to upload the article on installing MSD in the Boxer, but find that in order to shrink it to normal column width the text is illegible. I will start a new thread to include this information using full size scan for those interested in the wiring connections.
 
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Discussion Starter · #19 ·
Russ and all...

Actually, t


Russ and all...

Actually, the BB uses a hall-effect pick-up in the distributor, so it "communicates" nicely with the MSD unit. Unlike Bill, I am running at MSD 7-AL in my car. Essentially, the same unit...just with a little bit more spark output.

I recently did a 1976 BMW 2002 ignition conversion. The points were replaced with an optical trigger...and now tie into a MSD 6 unit. Also did a dual 40 DCOE conversion, as well. But, that's another story all together...

All in all, I have been very, very pleased with the MSD unit in my BB. As Bill Badurski clearly stated....no more ignition whine, quicker/cleaner starts from cold...and superb reliability.



Regards,
David
 
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Discussion Starter · #20 ·
David and Bill
Thanks! I have


David and Bill
Thanks! I have an MSD 6AL box ready to install as I put a Mallory Unilite optical distributor on the Mondial. Will be interesting to see what a little more advance earlier will do, although the main reason is reliability.
best
rt
 
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