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I'm having a misfiring problem and don't mess with engines directly. Well, usually. My Speedster motor is all Gene Berg, 2005 cc, with the addition of CB 9:1 heads, 42mm Berg Webers, merged headers, 009 distributor with an MSD energy unit. One cylinder has been popping for several years, both at sea level and the 6500 ft altitude in Colorado. I took the car to some very meticulous performance guys in Glenwood Springs, CO. The problem seems to be on the lower end, decelerating and at low speeds. These guys thought it was the #2 cylinder, played with the Webers to no avail, thought there might be some internal gunk. However, I later removed rt. side carb, disassembled and it didn't look bad. No improvement. They also felt there could be an ignition problem and suggested an MSD distributor. I ordered the distributor but haven't installed yet. Any thoughts here? The car performs okay when you put your foot in it, maybe getting a little warm on the highway which makes me think the mains might be a little larger in spite of being the same as at lower altitude. Plug readings are okay but went and black on the right side tail pipe. There might be some room for change in the idle jets. can't provide the size but I did reduce those before the car went to CO.So, any experience with the MSD? These units have extra springs that allow the advance to be tuned as necessary.
Thanks,
Dick
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I'm having a misfiring problem and don't mess with engines directly. Well, usually. My Speedster motor is all Gene Berg, 2005 cc, with the addition of CB 9:1 heads, 42mm Berg Webers, merged headers, 009 distributor with an MSD energy unit. One cylinder has been popping for several years, both at sea level and the 6500 ft altitude in Colorado. I took the car to some very meticulous performance guys in Glenwood Springs, CO. The problem seems to be on the lower end, decelerating and at low speeds. These guys thought it was the #2 cylinder, played with the Webers to no avail, thought there might be some internal gunk. However, I later removed rt. side carb, disassembled and it didn't look bad. No improvement. They also felt there could be an ignition problem and suggested an MSD distributor. I ordered the distributor but haven't installed yet. Any thoughts here? The car performs okay when you put your foot in it, maybe getting a little warm on the highway which makes me think the mains might be a little larger in spite of being the same as at lower altitude. Plug readings are okay but went and black on the right side tail pipe. There might be some room for change in the idle jets. can't provide the size but I did reduce those before the car went to CO.So, any experience with the MSD? These units have extra springs that allow the advance to be tuned as necessary.
Thanks,
Dick
Sorry to say but I think your meticulous performance guys are not familiar with air cooled engines, particularly Volkswagens.

MSD makes fine products and although it has adjustable advance curves, that's not your problem. I'd say you have either a plugged idle jet, a vacuum leak or a lean condition. Other problems could easily be an exhaust leak or improperly adjusted carbs..

Check your timing by holding the engine at 2,500 RPM's and setting the timing to a maximum of 28 degrees before top dead center.

If you had an ignition problem, more than likely, it would show up on all cylinders rather than just 1.......

If the engine is starting to overheat, chances are, you're too lean rather than to rich.

If you're showing soot on the side that's not working properly, I'd remove and check the idle jets, blow out the passage with Brake Clean and compressed air and then check your mixture screw. Screw the mixture screw "IN" until it seats (gently) then turn the screw "out" very slowly until the RPM's reach their highest point
Thanks- they're actually good 356 guys as well as being the Noble distributor and other stuff. I am mechanical enough to go through a carb and I followed what you describe with air and carb cleaner. There just wasn't much there I could find and the float seemed fine. I thought it was reasonable to add the MSD but I agree, it seemed a little out of focus for the problem. I'll pass your comments along when I go back to them. I'm not in a position to install the MSD in Colorado.Nothing for TDC, etc. we'll see.....
Best,
Dick
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