wont rev
 

I have a 71 nova with a 278 hp 350 the car wint rev past 5200 on the track but does in burn out. i changed fuel pump and reg thinking it would solve it i raced sat and it didnt it has a hy cam with lifters with shims in them i set the valve lash at 0. where should i look next
thank you

Re: wont rev
 

have msd chip rev limiter take chip out,they will rev in water and shut off under load if bad.
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: wont rev
 

i don't have msd i have a hei only, the fuel pressure Gage never drops below 5 psi, do i need a msd?

Re: wont rev
 

Also disconnect tach.

Change the HEI cap and rotor also, any HEI will work your
just testing to see if it runs fine, if it dose you can repair or
replace yours then, but that take the whole dist. out
loop completely.

No you don't need a msd if it ran before it'll run again (I don't need no stinking msd).

Re: wont rev
 

thankx i will

Re: wont rev
 

Had a similer problem,would only go 5000 in 1st gear,ok in 2nd and 3rd.changed pump,regulator,filter,cap,rotor and unhooked the tach(not all at once lol) changed the hei control module and it works perfect

Re: wont rev
 

try 7 lbs. fuel pressure

Re: wont rev
 

Need to look at that HEI module. I had one in a car I was trying to sell. It ran me through the ringer. I bought and tried 3 different modules before I bought an MSD replacement, and that fixed it. If you know somebody with a distributor machine you might want to take it there and have it checked out for yourself. I've heard GM had different part numbers for modules, and the ones that came in the HP cars were the ones to use.

Re: wont rev
 

Todd's right. You can actually have it tested at your local Auto Zone store. That's if you're lucky enough to find someone there that knows how to do it. But, "they do" have the machine.

Re: wont rev
 

Make sure your secondaries are opening too. Don't ask me how I know about that. Hahaha

Re: wont rev
 

Not to go completely in a different direction, but a personal experience.

Had a sbf that would hit 7000 in 1st (or neutral when I was getting mad) about 6000 in 2nd and 5800 in 3rd. Did all fuel and electrical diagnosing and was stumped. Was told valve springs by a well know engine builder but knew that wasn't the problem because the cam and springs were new.
Problem, the new springs were the wrong ones for the cam I had. Swapped springs and pulled to 7500 in each gear.
No load would rev clean, under load or engine accelerating slowly (in higher gears) and it would nose over and feel like the valves were floating. (hint, they were)

Just another area to look..

Re: wont rev
 

they can test the modules? i will take it tonmight thankx

Re: wont rev
 

When I had the problem, it broke up all over the place. It also wouldn't rev up either.

The valve springs must be good as well. I was talking about an IGN problem.

Re: wont rev
 

Ah, cool. I thought it was hitting a wall at 5200, didn't know it was breaking up all over.
Hopefully the module is the issue.
Good luck

Re: wont rev
 

I don't believe your ignition system is up to par for anything except maybe Street Bracket.
I would install (minimum) a 6A , Blaster coil outside the cap and away from heat, and a new pick up coil for insurance. Eliminate the trouble sources.
You're only talking about maybe 300 bucks (American)

Re: wont rev
 

What Mark said, HEI in a stocker. You,ve got to be kidding.

Re: wont rev
 

X2
Danny Durham

Re: wont rev
 

You'll never be able to count on a relatively stock HEI setup in a race car. The design was originally intended for engines that never saw the high side of 5500 RPM, and rarely ventured past 4000.

Sure, the aftermarket came up with several crutches over the years. Some work okay. But they're really intended for mild street use, or classes where the rules require stock ignition systems.

Anything that uses an HEI module, stock or aftermarket, will fail, and will never offer maximum performance.

You can "get by" using an empty HEI distributor, with only the magnetic pick up coil in it. But make absolutely certain you get a premium pick up coil for it, I have had the best results a genuine GM AC/Delco part. Also, be sure you have the correct unit for the rotation of the distributor. Do not put a pick up coil made for a clock wise rotation distributor in a distributor that rotates counter clock wise. A lot of people will tell you that it will work, but I have seen instances where it does not work well.

Re: wont rev
 

I have had very good results over the years using the (relatively) late model EST GM "small cap" distributors with the pick-up coil connected to an MSD 6 or 7. Just make sure that you have the correct gear for your application.

Re: wont rev
 

I agree on the OEM pick up coils, but the early ones move back and forth with the vacuum advance. I have seen the wires break. Therefore any used ones can't be trusted.
At least you want to pull on the wires to see if they're ready to break inside the insulation.

Re: wont rev
 

i changed to coil and added a large cable for a ground for the motor and raced last night the car reved just fine I'm still not under for h but closer thankx

Re: wont rev
 

i also ordered an msd 6al