[John M]

Hey Mr. C.

On this system, the Crane XR700 has a LED that flashes to note that it is picking up the timing input from the optical wheel in the distributor. So steady light is a bad thing when it should be firing. It should be flashing.

Hey Greg:

I think I am finally clued in but very curious. I understand that you are using the crane setup as strictly a pickup for the MSD. Turns out the MSD has a magnetic trigger they market. Crane has the optical trigger. So in order to use your optical setup in the distributor, the signal has to run through the crane box and then to the MSD. Have I got it?

Just for curiousity's sake, how do you have the MSD receiving the signal from the Crane? Are you going through the points pickup or the magnetic trigger pickup? Very interesting setup.

Again, my first thought on heat soak failure is the coil. And you are correct, it should be mounted vertical. But, if the light is not flashing on the crane when you get this no fire, heat soak situation, that would seem to limit it for me to the optical LED inside the distributor being fouled with debris, inoperative, or out of alignment (if that is possible). I have read that particular type of pickup will deteriorate over time and may be adversely affected from heat.

You have to tell me Greg how you like that system setup. I have not dealt with the LED optical stuff as I just hook my MSD directly into the points for the timing pickup. Have you been able to incorporate a custom distributor and advance curve?

Best Regards,
John M