Stalling Problem--about to set fire to my truck -need help

[Hammerfest196]

Gents—I am wits end and about to set fire to my truck, can’t collect the insurance because I only have Liability, otherwise I would have done so by now.  I have an intermittent stalling and won’t restart problem.  Truck can run for days then die and won’t restart, I believe I have no spark (can’t check it because I am on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck, thank God for AAA), it won’t even sputter when trying starting fluid.  It will restart and run like a champ after a few hours.  I have an '86 5.0L Scottsdale.

I have done all the normal replacements new coil, new ignition module, plug wires, distributor cap, rotor, fuel pump, had the quardrajet all apart (number one mistake of my life, now I know why it costs so much to have these rebuilt), and fuel filter.  I am thinking this is temperature dependant and electrical but it is sporadic problem and difficult for me to diagnose.    

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and I would be indebted for life.  You will also save the local fire department a trip.

Many thanks.

[Lt.Del]

You need to see if you do or do not have spark to diagnose any further.  If not, we would just be throwing things out there instead of focusing on the real problem.

You move from replacing the coil to rebuilding the carb.  You need to see if it is a fuel or electrical problem. My guess, electrical.  You can replace your coil, cap, module, etc...and may have received a bad part.  It happens.

Next time it stalls, check for spark.  If no spark, turn key half way on and see if you get 12 volts to the red wire to the distributor.  We can go from there after results of this are known.  

SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

1979 Big 10 383 stroker
1991 Blu 'Burb 3/4 ton 4x4

[Hammerfest196]

Andy--will do, I greatly appreciate your help.  The trick will be to have it die on me again, but next time I'll have the tools to check.

Again, many thanks for your assistance.  

[VileZambonie]

Check the distributor pickup coil. Measure the resistance spec is 500-1500 ohms.... Usually they ohm out around 800

[Hammerfest196]

Andy--I believe I found the problem, no spark, but did have 12 volts going to the distributor on the red wire.  I believe the pickup coil insulation was shot and appeared to be causing a ground, saw marks that were probably from arcing.  Had to replace it now because just from touching it, it came apart and exposed the coil wires. This is the original distributor 20 years old with 200,000 miles.  

I decided I would be a man, and I pulled the distributor out of the engine, probably about as stupid an idea as trying to rebuild that quadrajet.  But the damage is done now.  It had to come out regardless to repair the pickup coil.  Nobody in town had the parts, and it would have been about half the price of new, so I bought an Accel complete distributor, ready to drop in just add the coil from Summit for $115.  It will be here on Tuesday.  I am going to church tomorrow to pray this was the problem.  

I do however, greatly appreciate the assitance.  

[Lt.Del]

You have me cracking up.  Sounds like you got a grip on it.  Congrats.

If you have a salvage yard near ya, you can grap a distributor for about $20.  That includes all the guts in it. I have two spares laying in my garage now, just in case.

I hope you noted where the rotor was pointed and don't crank the engine until the new distributor is in it and set that rotor to same cylinder. It just makes it easy when putting in a new distributor.  You'll still have to time it--its just it should fire right up initially.

Don't forget to put the gasket on the intake for the distributor and put a dab of oil on the distr. gear when putting it in.   Turn the distr slightly counter clockwise when putting it in because when the gears slide on the cam gear, it will move clockwise a little and you want the rotor to be pointing to correct cyclinder.  It may take a little patience because the oil pump rod has to slide in the bottom of the distr. as well.

 

SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

1979 Big 10 383 stroker
1991 Blu 'Burb 3/4 ton 4x4

Edited by: SgtDel  at: 2/24/07 9:13 pm

[Hammerfest196]

Andy--you da man! Sure appreciate the tips, you know I would have completedly spaced out that gasket for the manifold.  I knew I could not get away without a trip to the parts store at least once.  I did mark up the old distributor six ways of Sunday, I will watch that rotation installing it.  So if the planets are in the right alignment and its the first Saturday of the month, I might get lucky.  Say a prayer for me.

Many thanks for your assistance, @#%$ good thing you don't live next to me, I'd be pestering you with questions all the time, but then the beers and steaks in return always taste good.  

Best wishes with your vehicles.

[Lt.Del]

After a few beers, heck, we would probably be looking at the tires or something trying to find  out why the engine dies.  Perhaps the air pressure is too low on the  right rear.  

SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

1979 Big 10 383 stroker
1991 Blu 'Burb 3/4 ton 4x4

[warlok1469]

Just to throw it out there, in case the new dist. doesn't work...... My friend had the same exact problem. After changing all of the stuff you mentioned (and sorry to say, a new accel distributor), We put my MSD Super HEI kit (6A box and external coil, all internal electronics gone) on his truck and put a Carter electric fuel pump on and the problem was gone. We assume it was the MSD that fixed it.

If you kill a man, you're a murderer.....kill many, and you're a conquerer..... kill them all,..... YOU'RE A God!!

Edited by: warlok1469  at: 3/9/07 4:11 am