Ignition Module Meltdown

[Bob Mitchell]

This is a first time occurrence for me. The insulation material in the ignition control module melted (see comparison picture). It made a terrible mess and of course screwed up the paint. I’ve tried every solvent I have to get rid of the super sticky residue. Does anyone know of a product that will dissolve it? As a side note it might interest you to know the module still works. Go figure!

 

[ssba]

Naphtha is a good solvent to remove about any sticky mess without harming
or softening paint. It is basicly lighter fluid so it is flammable. So the same
precautions should be kept in mind.

 

[Dubob]

May try wd-40. It works for removing adhesive from stickers and things.

 

[halifaxhops]

MEK but wear gloves?

 

[MJD323]

Mine did the same thing. Huge Mess!!!

Still not sure what the original cause was.

 

[Bob Mitchell]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I spoke about this problem with a few people locally who own old MOPAR's. Evidentially its a common problem but no one knows why it happens.

 

[halifaxhops]

On some of the aircraft I used to work on (usaf) we would replace some components for the same problem. Seem that moisture had somehow gotten into it and started boiling. Then spread. That's what the field rep said anyhow......

 

[KitCarlson]

The answer is likely that the potting material is poly urethane based. Similar to seat foam buns it degrades over time. It may have been improperly mixed in ratio, speeding degration.

Not to start a flame war, but consider hiding a HEI in there.

 

[roccodart440]

The answer is likely that the potting material is poly urethane based. Similar to seat foam buns it degrades over time. It may have been improperly mixed in ratio, speeding degration.

Not to start a flame war, but consider hiding a HEI in there.

Those new HEI units I see for the mopars look great. I'm an MSD guy. Never seen an MSD do this, or fail for that matter but the msd sits on legs so if it did it wouldn't affect paint.

 

[redfastback]

I have installed countless Pertronix distributor/coil setups(II & III)on customers cars( all brands) and have had zero problems. No external box and basic wiring.
Best way to go.

Mopar ECU setups are JUNK. They retard timing under load, fail often and dont have adjustability.

Pertronix offers 3 sets of advance limiters(12, 16, & 20*) and springs to dial in how much and how fast timing you want.

 

[Bob Mitchell]

Great discussion concerning which ECU to use. I have a Pertronix set up on one of my b-bodies. It seems to work perfectly. I'm considering switching this Dart over, after I repair the engine bay paint.

About that sticky mess...... Finger nail polish remover made short work of it. Unfortunately, I wasted a lot of time scrapping and trying other solvents before relenting and using my wife's "go to" solvent. Geez, I hate it when she's right!