Strange Engine Noise
 

I just installed an electronic ignition in my '64 Chevy Corvair and now I have a strange engine sound. It's like a static crackle, not ticking like spark plugs or points or whining like the generator. It happens regularly, about once every second or two, just a quiet burst of static. It's associated with the head unit because it gets louder with the volume. With the volume turned all the way down, there is no noise.

The system is a Retrosound Hermosa that gets its power from the car's fuse block. It's grounded where the factory radio was grounded. RCA cables run down the left side of the car to two Rockford Fosgate Prime 150 amps (bridged mono) that also pass through to a Rockford Punch 300 12" sub that are mounted where the back seat would be. All power to the amplifiers comes from the battery in the back of the car (which is also where the engine is). The only engine-related wiring running to the front of the car is the tach wire, which is routed on the right side of the passenger compartment. All amplifiers share a common ground point. All wiring is 4 gauge copper with copper lugs terminating the wires.

There was no noise in the system with the old points-type ignition. The new ignition is made by MSD, it's all contained within the distributor and is similar to Pertronix and such. I made no changes to anything other than replacing the distributor and coil.

I already have a choke installed on the head unit's power wiring.

Recheck your setup. I suggest to setup all things again and then give it a try.

Get a hold of MSD. They should be able to help.

Will it work?