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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: kilam68 on April 03, 2010, 09:49:05 pm

Title: Engine dies on the corner
Post by: kilam68 on April 03, 2010, 09:49:05 pm
I have a 1980 2wd Jimmy. 350/350. The engine will idle all day long but when I put it in drive or neutral and step on the gas, it dies.  E can only get to the end of by street. then it dies.  I wait a little while and it starts back up.  I have changeed the fuel pump, fuel filter, distributor, and coil.  Any suggestions?

Thanks
Title: Re: Engine dies on the corner
Post by: 1984gmchighserria on April 04, 2010, 02:22:56 am
check your vacuum lines
Title: Re: Engine dies on the corner
Post by: Lt.Del on April 04, 2010, 09:15:39 am
next time it dies, check for spark right away.  It'll limit a lot of stuff...fuel, vs. ignition.

do you smell fuel when it cuts off and you immediatley try to turn it back on?
Title: Re: Engine dies on the corner
Post by: pontgta on April 04, 2010, 02:57:39 pm
Could be dirty carb? Would need further info.. Does it do this all the time?
Title: Re: Engine dies on the corner
Post by: kilam68 on April 04, 2010, 04:43:04 pm
Happens all of the time.  Somtimes I have to pump the throtle allot while turning the key to get it started. Then it dies again shortly thereafter. 
Title: Re: Engine dies on the corner
Post by: youngblood222 on April 05, 2010, 11:14:03 am
cheack your timeing sounds like to me that you jumped a tooth on your timeing chain this happend to me a few years ago it would start and idle put it in gear it will run tell u give it gas and it will die 
Title: Re: Engine dies on the corner
Post by: kilam68 on April 07, 2010, 08:45:42 am
Signs point to jumping a gear tooth.  How do I fix it?
Title: Re: Engine dies on the corner
Post by: Lt.Del on April 07, 2010, 09:35:59 am
check your timing to be sure...do you have a timing light?

if confirmed, you'll need a new timing chain.  you can fix it w/ the engine in the truck, but, you'll have to remove the radiator, water pump and the like to get to the timing cover. Remove that and you see the two gears that the chain wraps around, one for the crank, the other for the cam. At TDC there is a dot on both gears next to a tooth on each signifying the gears are meshed correctly. If those dots aren't lined up, it jumped and a new chain is in order because the old chain has too much slack.  
Title: Re: Engine dies on the corner
Post by: kilam68 on April 11, 2010, 08:17:03 am
Yes I have a timing light.  Can I check to see if I'm a tooth off with it?
Title: Re: Engine dies on the corner
Post by: Lt.Del on April 11, 2010, 11:28:40 am
it'll tell ya if your timing is off.  If the distributor hold down bolt is tight, the timing should be knocked off any unless the belt jumped.
Title: Re: Engine dies on the corner
Post by: kilam68 on May 11, 2010, 08:11:04 am
Well I just found time to check the timing chain last weekend to no avail.  The timing chain was not off.  I have a buddy rebuilding my carburetor and I will see what happens then.  Any other suggestions you might have would be great.
Title: Re: Engine dies on the corner
Post by: DnStClr on May 11, 2010, 04:37:22 pm
Hopefully the rebuilt carb will fix it. With a new gasket you will eliminate the possibility of a vacuum leak under the carb too. Make a good check of all your vacuum lines like 1984gmchighserria said.
Title: Re: Engine dies on the corner
Post by: ohio hab on May 11, 2010, 06:37:19 pm
Could be a weak fuel pump, or obstruction or dirty sock on the pickup in the fuel tank. Sounds to me under a load, not ideling, running out of gas. Ken
Title: Re: Engine dies on the corner
Post by: jeff0547 on June 03, 2010, 09:07:38 am
I agree with ohio hab, my van does the same thing when the fuel tank is less than 1/4 full. I think that the line into the tank may have deteriorated. My solution is to keep more fuel in the tank. Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Engine dies on the corner
Post by: VileZambonie on June 03, 2010, 03:06:24 pm
Kinked fuel line would cause your problem.
Title: Re: Engine dies on the corner
Post by: markdilljr on June 04, 2010, 04:56:30 pm
I had same problem on 85 dump truck, sounds weird but it was the starter, it stuck engaged and pulling power as it heated up the inside would swell and freeze and stop the motor after it cooled down it would start right up until it warmed up again about 100 yards till it died again, I replaced the starter and never had another problem, might be your problem to, just a suggestion. See if you can pull it and test it before you spend money on a new one autozone can check it for you for free hope this helps
Title: Re: Engine dies on the corner
Post by: VileZambonie on June 04, 2010, 05:00:35 pm
If your starter drive pinion stays engaged you'll know it. When it overruns it'll be singing to you.
Title: Re: Engine dies on the corner
Post by: Irish_Alley on June 05, 2010, 12:48:35 am
sing more like screaming at ya
Title: Re: Engine dies on the corner
Post by: kilam68 on June 19, 2010, 07:49:56 am
Ohio Hab, I dropped the tank and checked to sock.  It was dirty and had holes in it.  I found a new sock (it wasn't easy everyone wants to sell you a whole new fuel sending unit).  I changed the sock and after an hour of tuning I was back on the road.  I was finally able to drive around the block without stopping.  But now that you mention the starter singing.  My starter does sing and I will put it on my list of things to look at.  Thank all of you for your help.  I guess thats the way it goes sometime.  I replaced the carburetor, distributor, wires, fuel pump, and coil, I pulled the front of my engine appart to check the timing chain marks, all to find the problem was a $14 part and a 40 min fix.  I learned a lot though and that's great.  The car is still not ready to drive legally  I need to rebuild the front end and probably replace the trans.  I will place pictures of my truck in the 'members rides' board today.

Thanks again