Green K20 had first breakdown..... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Dean · 07-23-2004, 08:47 AM

Drove the truck up to the drive thru to get some dinner late last night. No problems up and back, but just as I was getting ready to pull in the shop, it died. It was just like you turned the key off with no funny noises. I'm getting fuel but it looks like the spark is a very weak. I'm wondering if something happened to my HEI, cap, coil, etc. Looks like I know what I will be doing tonight.... It got dark on me last night so it is still setting outside. Actually that was the first night it has ever sat outside...lol

dubie · 07-23-2004, 08:53 AM

yeah sounds like the coil is gone bud.

**CPNE** · 07-23-2004, 09:00 AM

HEI module, spend the extra $20 or so and get the GM one. We bought a NAPA special and it lasted about 2 months.

The GM version hasn't failed us (yet). And yes we applied the heat dissapating grease with both.

Mudder · 07-23-2004, 09:36 AM

Could be a wire on it (distributor), has come loose. Mine did that going down the highway at about 70mph one night........

*racedvl* · 07-23-2004, 10:00 AM

I had the same thing happen, I ended up having a broken wire inside the dizzy. I forgot what it is called, but it is the round peice, with the 8 points on it.

**JIMs70GMC** · 07-23-2004, 11:57 AM

Nooooooooooooo! not the green truck!

**StingRay** · 07-23-2004, 02:34 PM

Could be the module or the pick up coil wire. The pick up coil moves with vacuum advance and the wires to it will break over time. It's a given. As for the module use a GM part or get yourself an MSD.

dubie · 07-23-2004, 02:50 PM

wouldn't the power cut in and out a bit if it was the module? I had that happen on my 80 Grand Prix. After running it for a while, you would accelerate and the power would cut out until you let off the gas and then would eventually stall the car

Old Dave · 07-23-2004, 03:08 PM

StingRay has it correct, it's either the brick or the pickup coil. Spend the extra money and buy the GM...been down that road. Most of the chain auto supply places will check the module for you to see if it's bad. If you have an ohmeter you can check the pickup coil to see if it's good. Pull the plug off the module that has the green and yellow wires and measure between the pins on the plug. It should measure between 140-160 ohms. Good luck and you have a very sharp truck.

Dave

Dean · 07-23-2004, 08:02 PM

Truck is back running again and in the garage. I removed the Accel coil and one of the little wires was pinched and the bare wire was touching the plates. I was going to tape them up, but just decided to go back with the GM coil since the rest of the engine is looking original.

The truck actually started right up when I got home which surprised me. I was running up and down the road testing it when the thing died again. My brother pulled me home with the Kubota.

Thanks for all the suggestions! I've got 154 miles on it now.

Also noticed that I have to pull off one of the back drums. The brake shoes pin has came loose on one. That explains the sound I've been hearing....lol. Such a pain to pull the drums off the Corp rearend............sounds like a project for the morning.

Dean · 07-25-2004, 07:28 PM

Well............I thought I had it fixed last night.. It quit on me again this morning on my road. Another trip back to my shop on the tow strap. I changed HEI modules, condensor, cap and coil with no luck. I finally pulled the distributor and put another on in which seemed to fix the problem. I'm guessing the pickup in the distributor is bad. Must also be triggered by heat. Anyone had this problem? It is tough reaching the distributor on a 4x4 with a lift on top of that.

I drove it up and down my road for 30 minutes with no problem so I still have my fingers crossed.

07-23-2004, 08:47 AM	#1
Dean Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1,492	Green K20 had first breakdown..... Drove the truck up to the drive thru to get some dinner late last night. No problems up and back, but just as I was getting ready to pull in the shop, it died. It was just like you turned the key off with no funny noises. I'm getting fuel but it looks like the spark is a very weak. I'm wondering if something happened to my HEI, cap, coil, etc. Looks like I know what I will be doing tonight.... It got dark on me last night so it is still setting outside. Actually that was the first night it has ever sat outside...lol

07-23-2004, 08:53 AM	#2
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,853	yeah sounds like the coil is gone bud. __________________ My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795

07-23-2004, 09:00 AM	#3
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,662	HEI module, spend the extra $20 or so and get the GM one. We bought a NAPA special and it lasted about 2 months. The GM version hasn't failed us (yet). And yes we applied the heat dissapating grease with both. __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all

07-23-2004, 11:57 AM	#6
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Nooooooooooooo! not the green truck! __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

07-23-2004, 02:34 PM	#7
StingRay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada Posts: 2,487	Could be the module or the pick up coil wire. The pick up coil moves with vacuum advance and the wires to it will break over time. It's a given. As for the module use a GM part or get yourself an MSD. __________________ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada

07-23-2004, 09:36 AM	#4
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Could be a wire on it (distributor), has come loose. Mine did that going down the highway at about 70mph one night........

07-23-2004, 10:00 AM	#5
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	I had the same thing happen, I ended up having a broken wire inside the dizzy. I forgot what it is called, but it is the round peice, with the 8 points on it.

07-23-2004, 02:50 PM	#8
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,853	wouldn't the power cut in and out a bit if it was the module? I had that happen on my 80 Grand Prix. After running it for a while, you would accelerate and the power would cut out until you let off the gas and then would eventually stall the car __________________ My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795

07-23-2004, 03:08 PM	#9
Old Dave Is a bullfrog waterproof? Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: OLATHE, KANSAS Posts: 1,130	StingRay has it correct, it's either the brick or the pickup coil. Spend the extra money and buy the GM...been down that road. Most of the chain auto supply places will check the module for you to see if it's bad. If you have an ohmeter you can check the pickup coil to see if it's good. Pull the plug off the module that has the green and yellow wires and measure between the pins on the plug. It should measure between 140-160 ohms. Good luck and you have a very sharp truck. Dave __________________ "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt." Ben Franklin __________________ 1970 Chevy shortbed 2002 Harley Custom Chopper (Long sucker) 1998 K2500 5.7L 5-speed Longbed 1st two are My son's toys...they just live in my garage! 1997 GMC K1500 Suburban 1993 S-10 Blazer 4D (youngest son's daily driver) 2000 Dodge Ram 4WD Ext. Cab (5.9L) Wife is a late year 1951

07-23-2004, 08:02 PM	#10
Dean Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1,492	Truck is back running again and in the garage. I removed the Accel coil and one of the little wires was pinched and the bare wire was touching the plates. I was going to tape them up, but just decided to go back with the GM coil since the rest of the engine is looking original. The truck actually started right up when I got home which surprised me. I was running up and down the road testing it when the thing died again. My brother pulled me home with the Kubota. Thanks for all the suggestions! I've got 154 miles on it now. Also noticed that I have to pull off one of the back drums. The brake shoes pin has came loose on one. That explains the sound I've been hearing....lol. Such a pain to pull the drums off the Corp rearend............sounds like a project for the morning.

07-25-2004, 07:28 PM	#11
Dean Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1,492	Well............I thought I had it fixed last night.. It quit on me again this morning on my road. Another trip back to my shop on the tow strap. I changed HEI modules, condensor, cap and coil with no luck. I finally pulled the distributor and put another on in which seemed to fix the problem. I'm guessing the pickup in the distributor is bad. Must also be triggered by heat. Anyone had this problem? It is tough reaching the distributor on a 4x4 with a lift on top of that. I drove it up and down my road for 30 minutes with no problem so I still have my fingers crossed.

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